What is fennel good for?

fennel seed benefits
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is an herb that is native to the Mediterranean region, but is currently
cultivated in most temperate areas. The constituent oils and extracts of fennel seed have been shown
to possess considerable benefits in various areas: inflammation, asthma, indigestion, hirsutism and
colic. It is also an anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial  and hepato-protective agent. And, researchers use it to
develop tea to clear the throat and repel mosquitoes.

Fennel Tea
Preparation of fennel tea: Crush fennel seeds, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of the
crushed fennel seeds. Cover the cup and wait for 5 minutes.

Traditionally, fennel tea is given to infants in treating colic. It is also used as a relaxant for smooth
muscles and spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. It is also used to treat different gastrointestinal
discomforts such as gas, bloating, constipation, stomach upset, abdominal cramps etc. Fennel tea is
also believed to benefit people suffered from irritable bowel syndrome. Now, we are going to review
what researchers found about fennel benefits or fennel seed benefits.
Fennel Benefits - Research Studies

FENNEL BENEFITS - ANTI-BACTERIAL / ANTIMICROBIAL GROWTH
Dadalioglu I et al , Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey, found that fennel exhibited a very strong
antibacterial activity against bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella
typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus in a vitro study. [J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec
29;52(26):8255-60]. Lo Cantore P et al, Universita di Napoli "Federico II", Italy, even suggested to use it
as natural bactericide for the control of bacterial diseases of plants and for seed treatment, in particular,
in organic agriculture. [J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 29;52(26):7862-7866].

Singh G et al, DDU Gorakhpur University, India, studied Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum and
Seseli indicum for antibacterial activity against eight pathogenic bacteria, causing infections in the
human body. They concluded that it is effective when compared with standard antibiotics, at a very low
concentration. [Phytother Res. 2002 Nov;16(7):680-2].

Kwon YS et al, Kangwon National University, Korea, found a phenyl propanoid derivative, dillapional(1)
be a antimicrobial principle of the stems of Foeniculum vulgare. [Arch Pharm Res. 2002
Apr;25(2):154-7].

FENNEL BENEFITS - REPELLING MOSQUITOES
Kim SI et al, Seoul National University, Korea, incorporated fennel oil into aerosol and cream products to
repel mosquitoes. [Pest Manag Sci. 2004 Nov;60(11):1125-30; J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Nov
20;50(24):6993-6].

FENNEL BENEFITS - ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITIES
Satyanarayana S et al, Andhra University, India, suggested daily use of Foeniculum vulgare in various
forms is very common in India and their study revealed strong antioxidant activity of the extracts that
was superior to known antioxidant ascorbic acid and indicate their intake may be beneficial as food
additives. [J Herb Pharmcother. 2004;4(2):1-10]

Parejo I et al, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain isolated and identified of the nonvolatile antioxidant
compounds from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) waste: in fennel: 3-caffeoylquinic acid,
4-caffeoylquinic acid, 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, rosmarinic acid, eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside,
quercetin-3-O-galactoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside. And, these
compounds exhibited a strong antiradical scavenging activity. [J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Apr
7;52(7):1890-7]

FENNEL BENEFITS - ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES
Choi EM et al, Yonsei University, Korea, suggested that oral administration (200 mg/kg) of Foeniculum
vulgare fruit methanolic extract exhibited inhibitory effects against acute and subacute inflammatory
diseases and type IV allergic reactions and showed a central analgesic effect. [Fitoterapia. 2004
Sep;75(6):557-65].

FENNEL BENEFITS - THROAT CLEARING
Puodziuniene G et al, Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuania, develop of throat clearing herbal teas
using fennel as one of the active ingredients. [Medicina (Kaunas). 2004;40(8):762-7]

FENNEL BENEFITS - ASTHMA
Haggag EG et al, Ain Helwan, Egypt, developed an water extract of a mixture of eight herbs (chamomile,
saffron, anise, fennel, caraway, licorice, cardamom and black seed). And, he found that this herbal
water-extract inhibited histamine released from chemically- and immunologically-induced cells by 81%
and 85%. And, the clinical results showed significant improvements of sleep discomfort, cough
frequency and cough intensity. [J Herb Pharmcother. 2003;3(4):41-54]

FENNEL BENEFITS - DIGESTION
Ramakrishna Rao R et al, Central Food Technological Research Institute, India, examined in vitro
influence of 14 individual spices (curcumin, capsaicin, piperine, garlic, onion, ginger, mint, coriander,
cumin, ajowan, fennel, fenugreek, mustard, and asafoetida) on the activities of digestive enzymes of rat
pancreas and small intestine by including them in the reaction mixture at two different concentrations.
The study suggested that spices had an overall digestive stimulation. [Nahrung. 2003 Dec;47(6):408-12]

FENNEL BENEFITS - ANTI-HIRSUTISM
Idiopathic hirsutism is the occurrence of excessive male pattern hair growth in women who have a
normal ovulatory menstrual cycle and normal levels of serum androgens. Javidnia K et al, Shiraz
University of Medical Sciences, Iran evaluated the clinical response of idiopathic hirsutism to topical
Fennel extract. They treated 38 patients with creams containing 1%, 2% of Fennel extract and placebo
in a double bind study. They then measured hair diameter was measured and rate of growth. They
found that the mean values of hair diameter reduction was 7.8%, 18.3% and -0.5% for patients
receiving the creams containing 1%, 2% and 0% (placebo) respectively. [Phytomedicine.
2003;10(6-7):455-8]

FENNEL BENEFITS - INFANTILE COLIC
Colic is a condition in which an infant cries for at least three hours a day, for at least three days a week
and continues for more than three weeks. Causes of colic may include food allergies, formula
intolerance (such as lactose intolerance), excessive gas formation, or intestinal cramping. Alexandrovich
I et al, St. Petersburg Medical Academy of Postdoctoral Education, Russia randomly assigned 121
infants with colic to receive 5 to 20 ml of a 0.1% fennel seed oil emulsion or placebo up to four times per
day for one week. Acording to the Wessel criteria, the use of fennel oil emulsion eliminated colic in 65%
(40/62) of infants in the treatment group, which was significantly better than 23.7% (14/59) of infants in
the control group (P < 0.01). [Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 Jul-Aug;9(4):58-61]

FENNEL OIL BENEFITS
Ozbek H et al, Yuzuncu Yil University, Turkey, studied the hepato-protective activity of fennel oil using
carbon tetrachlorideinduced liver injury model in rats. They found that fennel oil inhibited the
hepatotoxicity produced by acute CCl(4) administration with evidence of decreased levels of serum
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and
bilirubin.[ Fitoterapia. 2003 Apr;74(3):317-9].

Mohamad RH, National Cancer Institute , Cairo, Egypt, found that fennel seed methanolic extract also
exhibited an anti-tumor effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting the antioxidant defense
system in EAC-bearing mice with or without exposure to radiation.

Fennel Side Effects
Fennel seed tea may not have serious side effects. However, high doses of fennel seed tea may causes
diarrhea.

CONCLUSION
Fennel appears to have a wide range of health benefits, based on several basic studies. More clinical
studies are needed to confirm the health claims and find out if there is any side effect of this herb.

Reference
[1] Mohamad RH, et al , Antioxidant and Anticarcinogenic Effects of Methanolic Extract and Volatile Oil of
Fennel Seeds (Foeniculum vulgare). J Med Food. 2011 Aug 3
fennel benefits, fennel seed, fennel seed benefits, fennel tea
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