Fennel (aneth doux, bitterfenchel, fenchel, foeniculum vulgare): Dosing and Uses

Suggested dosing of Aneth doux, bitterfenchel (fennel)

Tea

1-2 g crushed seed in 150 mL boiling water

Tincture

5-7.5 g/day PO

Fennel oil

01.-0.6 mL; no more than 2 weeks

Capsules

Take 1-2 caps (480-960 mg) qDay-TID, preferably with food

Suggested uses of Aneth doux, bitterfenchel (fennel)

Treatment of infants & nursing children suffering from colic & dyspeptic disease

Digestive aid

URI, cough & sore throat

Reduces pain associated with menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)

Increase milk secretion, promote menstruation, facilitate birth, alleviate male climacteric (andropause) symptoms, & incr libido

Antiinflammatory, analgesic & antioxidant properties

Efficacy

Colic: A clinical trial showed breast-fed infants with colic had decreased crying time

Insufficient reliable information about effectiveness for other uses

Aneth doux, bitterfenchel (fennel) adverse (side) effects

Breathing problems, tightness of chest/throat, chest pain, nausea & vomiting, skin hives, rash, itchy or swollen skin, mild increase in menstrual flow, sun sensitivity, seizures

Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to carrots, celery or mugwort

Concomitant antibiotics

Cautions

Pregnant or breastfeeding: seek physician advice

Pregnancy: do not use fennel preparations other than fennel honey & fennel seed infusions

Children: use only fennel honey

Epilepsy or seizure d/o

Do not use Fennel for a long time or in large quantities

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: use only fennel honey & fennel seed infusions

Lactation: may increase milk flow, consult physician

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Pharmacology of Aneth doux, bitterfenchel (fennel)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of action

PO admin (200 mg/kg) of fruit methonolic extract:

• significantly increase plasma superoxide dismutase & catalase activity and HDL cholesterol levels
• inhibitory effect against acute & subacute inflammatory diseases & type IV allergic rxn
• showed central analgesic effect

Fennel seed oil: reduces intestinal spasms & increases motility of small intestine

Hepatoprotection: inhibits hepatotoxicity by decreasing levels of AST, ALT, ALP & bilirubin