Fennel
OTHER NAME(S): Adas, Almindelig fennikel, Arapsaci, Badian, Badishep, Bari-Sanuf, Bisbas, Bitterfenchel, Bitter Fennel, Carosella, Common Fennel, Dunkler Fenchel, Endro, Erva-doce, Fänkål, Fenchel, Fenchle, Fenkuł, Fennel Essential Oil, Fennel Oil, Fennel Seed, Fenneru, Fennikel, Fenoll, Fenouil Amer, Fenouil Bulbeux, Fenouil Commun, Fenouil de Florence, Fenouil des Vignes, Fenouil Doux, Fenouille, Fenouil Sauvage, Fenykl, Finnochio, Fiollo, Florence Fennel, Foeniculi Antheroleum, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit, Fonoll, Funcho, Garden Fennel, Graine de Fenouil, Hariyal, Huile Essentielle de Fenouil, Huile de Fenouil, Hui xiang, Hullebe, Inuju, Jinuchchu, Komorač, Koper, Koper włoski, Koromač, Kumurač, Large Fennel, Malatura, Mauri, Mieloi, Millua, Morac, Moroč, Morača, Pānmourī, Phak chi, Phaksi, Phytoestrogen, Razianaj, Rezene, Sanuf, Saunf, Shatapuspha, Shoap, Shomar, Shouikya, Sohoehyang, Sweet Fennel, Uikyou, Variyali, Venkel, Vinkel, Wilder Fenchel, Wild Fennel, Xiao Hui Xiang, Yira, Foeniculum vulgare, Anethum piperitum, Foeniculum piperitum, Foeniculum officinale, Foeniculum capillaceum, Anethum foeniculum, Fennel Oil, Fennel Seed, Hinojo, Fenouil
Overview
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is an herb with yellow flowers. The dried seeds are used in food. The dried seeds and oil are also used as medicine.
Fennel is native to the Mediterranean, but is now found throughout the world. As medicine, it might relax the colon, and also appears to contain an ingredient that may act like estrogen in the body. As a spice, fennel has an anise-like taste.
People use fennel for menstrual cramps. It is also used for excessive crying in infants (colic), indigestion, and symptoms of menopause, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Uses
Possibly Effective for
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Taking fennel oil or fennel extract by mouth seems to improve pain in people with menstrual cramps. Its effect on pain might be similar to drugs such as ibuprofen or mefenamic acid.
There is interest in using fennel for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Fennel is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine at appropriate doses for a short period of time. There isn't enough reliable information to know whether fennel is safe when used long-term. Although rare, side effects might include stomach upset and seizures.
When applied to the skin: Fennel is possibly safe. Fennel can make skin extra sensitive to the sun and make it easier to get a sunburn. Wear sunblock if you are light-skinned.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Fennel is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine at appropriate doses for a short period of time. There isn't enough reliable information to know whether fennel is safe when used long-term. Although rare, side effects might include stomach upset and seizures.
When applied to the skin: Fennel is possibly safe. Fennel can make skin extra sensitive to the sun and make it easier to get a sunburn. Wear sunblock if you are light-skinned.
Pregnancy: Fennel is possibly unsafe to use when pregnant. Regularly using fennel has been linked to preterm birth.
Breast-feeding: Fennel is possibly unsafe. There are some reports of breast-feeding infants with damage to their nervous systems after they were exposed to herbal tea containing fennel through breastmilk.
Children: Fennel is possibly safe when used at appropriate doses for up to one week in young infants with colic.
Allergy to celery, carrot or mugwort: Fennel might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to these plants.
Bleeding disorders: Fennel might slow blood clotting. Taking fennel might increase the risk of bleeding or bruising in people with bleeding disorders.
Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Fennel might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by estrogen, do not use fennel.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with FennelFennel might slow blood clotting. Taking fennel along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with FennelSome medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Fennel might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with FennelSome birth control pills contain estrogen. Large amounts of fennel might affect estrogen levels in the body. Taking fennel along with birth control pills might decrease the effects of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with fennel, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) interacts with FennelCiprofloxacin is an antibiotic. Fennel might decrease how much ciprofloxacin the body absorbs. Taking fennel along with ciprofloxacin might decrease the effects of ciprofloxacin. To avoid this interaction, take fennel at least one hour after ciprofloxacin.
- Estrogens interacts with FennelLarge amounts of fennel might have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking fennel along with estrogen might decrease the effects of estrogen.
- Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) interacts with FennelLarge amounts of fennel seem to affect estrogen levels in the body. Taking fennel along with tamoxifen might decrease the effects of tamoxifen.
Dosing
Fennel is available in many different types of products, including essential oils, seed extracts, seed powders, teas, and creams. There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of fennel might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
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