Fennel Tea for Bloating

Fennel tea is an aromatic, licorice-like remedy useful for alleviating bloating. This member of the carrot and parsley family also is related to cumin and anise. It has a long history of medicinal use, including as a carminative --- gas-alleviating agent --- dating back to ancient Egypt and China. This herb can cause side effects and interact with medicines; thus, consult a doctor before in advance.

Effects

Fennel helps relax your gastrointestinal tract and eliminate bloating and gas. It also aids digestion by increasing your production of gastric juices. It is safe enough for breast-feeding mothers to use as well as babies with colic, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, check with your doctor before trying it, especially if you or your child have a health condition or take medicine. This herb may be useful for alleviating menstrual symptoms such as cramps, according to a 2003 International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics study.

Status

Germany's Commission E, the country's regulatory body for herbs, has approved fennel for treatment of dyspeptic complaints, including bloating and heartburn. Fennel is also approved for treating bronchitis and coughs. The U.S. National Institutes of Health does not provide effectiveness ratings for fennel.

Use

To make fennel tea to relieve bloating, indigestion and gas, add 1 tsp. whole fennel seeds to 1 pt. water. Boil the seed in a saucepan for 20 minutes. Strain to eliminate the seeds. You may drink hot or cold.

Considerations

Fennel can cause side effects, including appetite loss, nausea or vomiting and skin sensitivity to sunlight. Using fennel with certain medications like amoxapine may lower your seizure threshold. Taking it with other drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, tetracycline and celecoxib raises your risk for skin sensitivity to sunlight. Taking it with ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxicin alter your body's metabolism of these drugs and reduce the amount of them available for your body to use. Fennel may have estrogen-like effects; thus, you should not use it if you have a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer.