Therapeutic Uses
- Digestive Problems – Like most other aromatic herbs, fennel relaxes the smooth muscle lining the digestive tract, meaning that it’s an antispasmodic. It also expels gas and promotes the excretion of bile, which helps in the digestion of fats. Research shows that fennel kills some bacteria, lending some support to its traditional role in treating diarrhea.
- Infant Colic – Infants 2 to 12 weeks old who had symptoms of colic (notably persistent crying) were given either a placebo or a fennel seed preparation. Of those receiving the placebo, 24% showed significantly reduced crying. However, in the fennel group, the figure was 65%.
- Overweight – Fennel has diuretic action, which probably accounts for the herb’s traditional role in weight control. Diuretics of any kind eliminate only water weight; for this reason, experts discourage the routine use of diuretics for weight management.
Medicinal Uses: *Airway swelling *Backache *Bedwetting *Bloating *Bronchitis *Cholera *Colic in infants *Constipation *Cough *Easing the birthing process *Excess hair on women (hirsutism) *Heartburn *Increasing sex drive *Increasing the flow of breast milk *Intestinal gas (flatulence) *Loss of appetite *Mild spasms of the stomach and intestines *Painful menstruation *Promoting menstruation *Stomach upset and indigestion *Sunburn *Swelling of the colon (colitis) *Upper respiratory tract infections *Visual problems
Fennel Seed Side Effects: Side effects are rare, but sometimes allergies arise, which affect the skin and respiratory system. People who are allergic to plants such as celery, carrot, and mugwort are more likely to also be allergic to fennel. Fennel can also make skin extra sensitive to sunlight and make it easier to get a sunburn. Wear sunblock if you are light-skinned. Fennel seed oil should not be used during pregnancy or for infants and toddlers. During breast-feeding, fennel is possibly unsafe.
Fennel Seed Drug Interactions: Taking fennel along with birth control pills (ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others) might decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Taking fennel along with ciprofloxacin (Cipro) might decrease the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin. To avoid this interaction take fennel at least one hour after ciprofloxacin. Taking fennel along with estrogen pills (conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others) might decrease the effects of estrogen pills. Taking fennel along with tamoxifen might decrease the effectiveness of tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Do not take fennel if you are taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex).
