| Herbs & Supplements:

Fennel

Supplement Forms/Alternate Names:
  • Foeniculum vulgare

 

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Introduction

Fennel is a flowering plant with a bulb root that can be eaten. Its seeds are used in food and supplements. It has been used to ease the pain of menstrual cramps. Fennel can be taken as a pill, powder, or extract. It can also be used as a cream, gel, or oil.

Dosages

30 milligrams every 4 to 6 hours

 

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What Research Shows

May Be Effective

• Colic—may decrease symptoms ^A1-A3 
• DPMA-induced amenorrhea—may ease symptoms ^C1 
• Dysmenorrhea (Painful Menstruation)—may ease symptoms ^{D1, D2} 
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome—may improve symptoms when taken with curcumin^E1 
• Menopausal symptoms—may ease symptoms ^F1 
• Vaginal atrophy—may help manage symptoms ^G1  

Not Enough Data to Assess

• Constipation^B1 

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

 

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Safety Notes

It is likely safe to take fennel or use fennel oil on the skin for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse. People who are allergic to mugwort, birch, or ragweed should talk to their doctor before taking fennel. It may cause a reaction.

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References [ + ]

A. Colic

A1. Perry R, Hunt K, et al. Nutritional supplements and other complementary medicines for infantile colic: a systematic review. Pediatrics. 2011 Apr;127(4):720-733.

A2. Harb T, Matsuyama M, et al. Infant Colic-What works: A Systematic Review of Interventions for Breast-fed Infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016 May;62(5):668-686.

A3. Anheyer D, Frawley J, et al. Herbal Medicines for Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics. 2017 Jun;139(6). pii: e20170062. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-0062. Epub 2017 May 4. Review. PubMed PMID: 28562281.

B. Constipation

B1. Picon PD, Picon RV, et al. Randomized clinical trial of a phytotherapic compound containing Pimpinella anisum, Foeniculum vulgare, Sambucus nigra, and Cassia augustifolia for chronic constipation. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010 Apr 30;10:17.

C. DPMA-Induced Amenorrhea

C1. Mohebbi-Kian E, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, et al. Efficacy of fennel and combined oral contraceptive on depot medroxyprogesterone acetate-induced amenorrhea: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Contraception. 2014 Oct;90(4):440-446.

D. Dysmenorrhea

D1. Ghodsi Z, Asltoghiri M. The effect of fennel on pain quality, symptoms, and menstrual duration in primary dysmenorrhea. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2014 Oct;27(5):283-286.

D2. Pattanittum P, Kuntanone N, et al. Dietary supplements for dysmenorrhea. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016:CD002124.

E. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

E1. Portincasa P, Bonfrate L, et al. Curcumin and Fennel Essential Oil Improve Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2016;25(2):151-157.

F. Menopause

F1. Rahimikian F, Rahimi R, et al. Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Menopause. 2017 Sep;24(9):1017-1021.

G. Vaginal Atrophy

G1. Yaralizadeh M, Abedi P, et al. Effect of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) vaginal cream on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Maturitas. 2016 Feb;84:75-80.

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Last reviewed July 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
Last Updated: 5/6/2020

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