Fennel: Properties and side effects of the herb!

Fennel is an aromatic herb that can be used in many cooking recipes. It has a large leafy bulb that is eaten raw or cooked, the fennel or fennel. Fennel seeds have a mild, sweet taste and are used in bakeries, meat or fish dishes.

Fennel oil, the essential oil made from the seeds of the plant, contains over 87 volatile compounds, including certain polyphenols that act as antioxidants (rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin and apigenin). The three main volatile compounds in plant essential oil are anethole, fensone and estragole. Anethole has been reported as a safe anticoagulant due to its antiplatelet activity.

Nutritional value

In addition to its many culinary uses, fennel and its seeds offer health benefits, having antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects [1]. Fennel has healing properties similar to those of anise and dill. Its decoction, prepared by throwing fennel seeds in boiling water, is used to treat baby colic.

One cup (87 grams) of raw bulb has only 27 calories and contains 3 grams of fiber. It also contains 9.5% protein, 10% fat, 13.4% minerals, 18.5% fiber and 42.3% carbohydrates.

It also contains:

• Vitamin C (12% of the Recommended Daily Allowance),
• Calcium (3% of GDP),
• Iron (4% of GDP),
• Magnesium (4% of GDP),
• Potassium (8% of GDP),
• Manganese (7% of PSC).

The plant has been used as an estrogenic agent for centuries. It has been reported to increase milk secretion, promote menstruation and increase libido. Anethole has been considered as the active agent, however some studies have shown that the actual pharmacologically active agents may be the polymers of anethole, such as dianethol and photoanethole.

Beneficial properties of fennel

Here are the most important health properties that scientific studies have found.

1. It can contribute to weight loss

Fennel seeds may reduce appetite. A study of nine healthy women found that those who drank a 250 ml fennel drink made from two grams of seeds before eating their lunch felt less hungry and consumed fewer calories during the meal than those who drank other tea. [2]. Note, however, that another study did not confirm this anti-appetite effect [3].

2. It can benefit breastfeeding women

Fennel has lactogenic properties as it helps increase the secretion of breast milk. Research suggests that certain plant compounds, such as anethole and its polymers, are responsible for the lactogenic properties of the plant [4]. Fennel can increase the levels of prolactin in the blood, the hormone that signals the body to produce breast milk, however, not all studies have found this effect.

3. Alleviates the symptoms of menopause

One study suggests that the phytoestrogens found in fennel help manage postmenopausal symptoms. Participants were given capsules containing 100 mg of fennel twice daily for eight weeks. Two groups of 45 women were compared. One received the real cure and the other fictitious. Significantly lower scores of postmenopausal symptoms were found in women receiving fennel [5]. Symptoms of menopause range from mood swings or sexual urges to sleep problems, hot flashes, anxiety and depression. However, more studies are needed on this issue.

4. Effect on sexual satisfaction

At least three studies have investigated the effect of fennel on women’s sexual function. Combining the findings, a meta-analysis found that sexual activity was significantly improved in women receiving fennel compared with placebo [6]. The herb seems to relieve vaginal itching, dryness and insomnia.

5. Antimicrobial properties

Historically, fennel has been used as a treatment for many infectious disorders. Its extract prevents the growth of several harmful bacteria in the laboratory, such as staphylococcus, coliforms and salmonella. It can also prevent the growth of Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum [1].

Dosage

For the supplement:

There is no official dosage for fennel. In most clinical trials, the capsules contain 100 mg of its active ingredients and are administered 2 or 3 times a day.

For the herb:

When given as a tea, the herb is usually taken half an hour before a meal (to improve digestion) and up to 3 times a day for other purposes.

Possible side effects

Although fennel is probably safe when consumed in moderation, there are some concerns about its concentrated sources, e.g. from the extracts.

In general, the vast majority of herbs are recognized as safe while individual hypersensitivity is considered the most common risk. However, for individual plant compounds that exhibit toxic effects on experimental animals, the question of possible side effects remains open.

The fact that fennel has strong estrogenic properties, helping to relieve the symptoms of menopause, means that it may not be safe for pregnant women and their babies. There is concern that the plant may disrupt the development of the fetus. A study evaluating the teratogenicity of fennel oil has shown that high doses can have toxic effects on embryonic cells [9]. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid ingesting fennel oil.

Fennel also contains psoralens, compounds found in many plants and vegetables, and can make the skin sensitive to light. This means that large amounts of the herb could make the skin more sensitive to the sun, leading to rashes and redness.

At Vita4you.gr you will find products that contain fennel!

References

1. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Tea Drinking Suppresses Subjective Short-term Appetite in Overweight Women.
2. The Effect of Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) on Body Composition in Postmenopausal Women with Excess Weight: A Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial.
3. Foeniculum vulgare Mill: A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Contemporary Application, and Toxicology.
4. Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
5. Effect of Fennel on the Health Status of Menopausal Women: A Systematic and Meta-analysis.
6. Antidiabetic activities of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Essential oil in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
7. Evaluation of the teratogenicity of fennel essential oil (FEO) on the rat embryo limb buds culture.
8. In vitro inhibition of human CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 by six herbs commonly used in pregnancy.