Fennel Purchase & Information

Alternative Names

Bitter Fennel, Bari-Sanuf, Common Fennel, Carosella, Fenouil Sauvage, Fenouil, Fennel Essential Oil, Fenouil Doux, Fenouil Bulbeux, Fenouil Amer, Fenouil de Florence, Fenouil Commun, Finnochio, Foeniculi Antheroleum, Florence Fennel and Fenouil des Vignes, Graine de Fenouil, Garden Fennel, Huile Essentielle de Fenouil, Hinojo, Huile de Fenouil, Large Fennel, Phyto-oestrogène, Phytoestrogen, Shatapuspha, Sanuf, Sweet Fennel, Wild Fennel, Xiao Hui Xiang

Scientific Name

Foeniculum Vulgare

Why Do People Use Fennel?

Orally - The oral preparations of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel), like fennel powder, are used for increasing lactation, for treating bronchitis, facilitating birth, promoting menstruation, backache, flatulence, dyspepsia, bedwetting, increasing libido. Fennel powder is also used for cough, upper respiratory tract infections, cholera, loss of appetite, bloating, for colic in infants and visual problems. Topical application of fennel powder on snake bites is considered very effective. In Beverages & Foods Items - Foeniculum vulgare is also used as a flavoring agent in many food and beverage items. In Manufacturing Industry - In oil form fennel is utilized as a fragrance in cosmetics and soap products and also as a flavoring agent in a number of laxatives.

Is It Safe To Use?

Possibly Safe - Fennel powder is considered safe for oral consumption in food items. Foeniculum vulgare has attained Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the United States. However, the safety of fennel powder in medicines can’t be determined with surety since there is lack of information in this regard. For New Born or Children - There is no authentic information regarding the safety of fennel for children or infant. However, initial studies have suggested that by using combination of different products for whole week could be safe for children. This multi ingredient product includes lemon balm (97 mg), fennel (164 mg) and Germen Chamomile (178 grams). However, for breast-feeding infants, maternal utilization of fennel herbal tea may cause neurotoxicity. Likely Unsafe in Breast Feeding - For breast feeding mothers, oral usage of fennel or fennel powder may be ineffective or unsafe. For breast-feeding infants, maternal utilization of fennel herbal tea may cause neurotoxicity in some cases. For Pregnant Females - The information regarding the safety of fennel powder in pregnancy is unreliable. So, such females should avoid its use.

How Effective Is Fennel?

Likely Effective in Colic - Some clinical experiments confirm that breast feeding children with colic issues, provided with a combination of particular product containing 164 mg of fennel, 97 mg of lemon balm and 178 mg of German chamomile, twice time every day for whole week may show decrease in crying time as compared to placebo. However, there is insufficient information regarding the effectiveness of Foeniculum vulgare for other aforementioned conditions.

How Fennel Works?

The most effective parts of Foeniculum vulgare are its oil and fruits parts. Fennel seed is a vital source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Other ingredients include iron, magnesium, calcium and some other metal cations traces. The seeds contain unstable oil containing not only trans-anethole but also estragole and fenchone. Anethole is responsible for anise-sort flavor and smell of fennel. Fenchone and anethole may diminish secretions of upper respiratory tract. Some confirmations suggest that the fluid fennel extract may enhance mucociliary action. The anethole constituent seems to be toxic, insecticidal and allergenic. Polymers of anethole also seem to have estrogenic effects on human body. The estragole constituent is a pro-carcinogen, however the carcinogenic potential risk is thought to be almost negligible. It is not hepatocarcinogenic or hepatotoxic however it may help liver enzymes to reach their full toxicity. In the liver, different enzymes inactivate the carcinogenic metabolites and help in restricting likely harm to the liver. Initial studies also propose that fennel oil can suppress uterine constrictions caused by prostaglandin E2. Nonetheless, it doesn't restrain uterine contractions caused by oxytocin.

What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Fennel?

Oral - In clinical researches, side effects of fennel powder have not been evaluated extensively. It is also suggested that Foeniculum vulgare is not responsible for any side effects in children. However, fennel powder maybe responsible for allergic reactions of respiratory system and skin. Allergic reactions may occur due to the utilization of fennel powder. Allergic reactionsmay also be observed with the use of mugwort, celery, carrot and different Apiaceae family plants.

How Fennel Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?

There is no known interaction between fennel powder and different type of supplements & herbs.

How Fennel Interacts With Drugs?

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) - Interaction rating between fennel and ciprofloxacin is moderate so be cautious about this combination. Combination of ciprofloxacin and fennel may lessen ciprofloxacin effectiveness. Some clinical experiments suggest that ciprofloxacin bioavailability could lessen up to 50% by oral consumption of fennel powder because of the metal cations like magnesium, iron and calcium that are present in fennel. It is also suggested that fennel may slow elimination of ciprofloxacin and enhance its tissue distribution. Contraceptive Drugs - Interaction rating between Foeniculum vulgare and contraceptive drugs is moderate so be careful of this combination. Some constituents of fennel may have estrogenic effects on body. This may alter the effectiveness of contraceptive drugs. Estrogens - Interaction rating between fennel and estrogen is moderate so be careful of this combination. Combination of fennel powder and estrogen may affect hormone replacement therapy because of estrogen receptors competition.

How Fennel Interacts With Foods?

Not known.

How Fennel Interacts With Lab Tests?

Not known.

How Fennel Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?

Cross Allergenicity - Some people may show allergic reactions to the use of fennel or fennel products. They may also show allergic reactions to carrot, celery or mugwort. Hormone Sensitive Conditions / Cancers - Fennel constituents may have estrogenic activity. So, such patient having some hormone sensitive conditions/cancers should be advised to discontinue Foeniculum vulgare. Few of these conditions include ovarian cancer, uterine and breast, uterine and endometriosis fibroids.

What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Fennel?

ORAL • There is no typical dosage of fennel. • But it may be used as a tea which is made by mixing 1-2 grams of fennel powder or seeds in 150 ml water. • The normal dosage of tincture mixture is 5 to 7.5 grams every day. • Fennel is considered safe for short term usage. • Fennel oil is utilized in dosage of 0.1 to 0.6 mL once in whole day. • Fennel honey syrup, made of 500 mg fennel oil per kg, should be taken 10 to 20 grams every day. • Those children how are suffering from colic should use a particular combination of products containing 164 mg fennel, 97 mg of lemon balm and 178 mg of German Chamomile two times a day for whole week.

Comments

Foeniculum vulgare is an aromatic and perennial plant with yellow flowers. It is local plant in Mediterranean but is now cultivated in the whole world. Dried seeds of fennel are generally utilized in cooking as a spice.

General Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.