Fennel use dates back to several ancient civilizations for conditions that included enhancing eyesight. It was brought to the United States by early settlers and is now used medicinally for a variety of ailments. However, the efficacy of fennel has not been confirmed for any medicinal use. Consult with your health care provider before starting fennel treatment.
Identification and Dosing
Fennel is also commonly called bitter fennel, garden fennel, finnochio, carosella and wild fennel. Dried ripe seeds are used medicinally. Fennel tea is made by first lightly bruising fennel seeds then pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 or 2 tsp. of seeds and steeping for 10 minutes. Usual dosing is 1 cup taken 3 times daily. One cup of fennel tea is taken 30 minutes before each meal to treat intestinal gas.
Uses
Fennel tea is used to alleviate symptoms of snake bites and insect bites. It is also used as a treatment for food poisoning. Fennel tea is applied as a gargle to treat inflammation in the throat, including sore throat and hoarseness. Some use fennel tea to enhance milk production during lactation. It is also given to babies to treat intestinal gas and colic. Other uses of fennel tea include to increase urination and to treat obesity.
Effectiveness
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, or NMCD, fennel is rated as possibly effective for treating colic. However, the NMCD warns that fennel may be possibly unsafe during lactation as two infants who where breastfeeding reportedly experienced nervous system injury after the mothers drank fennel tea. There is not enough scientific information to assess the effectiveness of fennel for other health problems.
Considerations
Fennel is rated as generally safe when taken in food amounts. However, it can cause side effects such as increased sun sensitivity and allergic skin reactions. The potential for allergic skin reactions is increased in the presence of sensitivity to other plants such as mugwort, carrots, or celery. Avoid fennel in the presence of any health condition that is worsened by increased estrogen, such as uterine fibroids, and breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer.
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