Herbalists have historically recommended the leaves and seeds of the fennel plant, a fragrant botanical medicine, to facilitate lactation. Modern naturopaths and lactation consultants continue to regard the plant as an effective naturoptathic method for managing breastfeeding difficulties. Although likely safe when used in the moderate quantities found in food, large medicinal doses of fennel may be unsafe for nursing women. Before self-treating with fennel, check with your primary health care provider.
Estrogenic Effects
Scientists attribute fennel's medicinal properties to the compounds anethole, dianethole and photoanethole, which it shares with similar-tasting plants such as licorice and anise. A 1980 report published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" suggests that fennel's medicinal effects stem from anethole and related compounds. These estrogenlike chemicals appear to alter levels of reproductive hormones involved in conception, pregnancy and lactation. By stimulating the production of estrogen in the female body, fennel can plausibly impact these states in a manner similar to synthetic hormones.
Use in Lactation
Fennel may help to stimulate breast milk production, but its safety and efficacy ultimately remain unproven. Renowned lactation consultant Kelly Bonyata notes that estrogenic herbs may actually reduce breast milk production, making fennel possibly inappropriate for use in women with low breast milk supply. However, Bonyata suggests that fennel can help to enhance the let-down reflex, which causes women to release milk in response to nipple stimulation. For women with normal milk supplies who simply lack the normal let-down reflex, fennel may be beneficial.
General Safety
In general, nursing women can safely eat normal amounts of fennel. A comprehensive review in 1999 confirmed that fennel's active medicinal compounds are safe when eaten in the amounts commonly found in food. Extracts of fennel are occasionally used to flavor natural licorice, and these too are considered safe for the majority of people. The Food and Drug Administration now classifies fennel and its extracts as GRAS, or generally recognized as safe. This classification implies that the product is acceptable for human consumption during all stages of life, including childhood, pregnancy and lactation.
Possible Dangers
Medicinal doses of fennel and its extracts could cause side effects to nursing women and their breastfed children. When consumed in large doses as a tea or extract, fennel may reduce breast milk production. A report published in the "Journal of Pediatric Surgery" also expressed concern about fennel's impact on babies' hormonal development. In several cases, the direct consumption of fennel tea has led to thelarche, or premature breast development, in babies. When fennel passes to a baby through his mother's milk, similar side effects could take place. As a precaution, nursing women should consult a pediatrician or qualified lactation consultant before using fennel supplements.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Fennel and Anise as Estrogenic Agents; M. Albert-Puleo; December 1980
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; The FEMA GRAS Assessment of trans-Anethole Used as a Flavouring Substance; P. Newberne, et al.; July 1999
- Kellymom.com; Fennel; Kelly Bonyata
- "Journal of Pediatric Surgery"; A Striking and Frequent Cause of Premature Thelarche in Children -- Foeniculum Vulgare; Z. Turkyilmaz, et al.; November 2008
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