Organic Fennel Seed
Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel is also known as bronze fennel, bitter fennel, sweet fennel, fenkel, hinojo, finocchio, shatapushpa, or xiao hui xiang. Fennel has greyish-green foliage with thread-like feathered leaves and yellow flowers at the ends of the stems. Fennel is a perennial herb of the carrot family native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, but some consider it an invasive species in much of Australia and parts of the United States.
You might need fennel if . . .
- You want to increase your nutritional intake
- You have an upset stomach
- You want to increase your milk supply
Benefits of Fennel
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial properties
- Carminative effects – digestive aid to help ease discomfort with gas and bloating
- Supports Heart Health
- Has the ever-helpful fiber content
- Galactagogues - These are the foods and herbs said to help boost breast milk supply
Common ways to use Fennel
Fennel is grown for its edible shoots, leaves, and seeds, which are commonly used for medicinal purposes. You can find fennel in dried bulk, capsules, powders, extracts, oils, or tinctures. Teas and soups are also options, especially when following Ayurvedic medicine recipes.
🌿Try making herbal extractions or this fennel-infused apple cider vinegar. ← 🟩 DIYs, recipes, and more!
Safety Concerns
Safe for all ages.
Drug Interaction: If you have any health concerns or are taking any prescription medication, please consult with your healthcare provider before adding new herbs to your diet.
Breastfeeding and Pregnancy: Mainstream sources claim fennel is possibly unsafe when breastfeeding. They claim there are some reports of breastfeeding infants with damage to their nervous systems after they were exposed to herbal tea containing fennel through breastmilk.
As per trusted herbalist Richard Whelan, no adverse effects are expected (or have ever been reported) from taking fennel in tea or tincture, even in high or frequent doses. It may be confidently taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding and used safely by the young or old.
Studies
The effect of a fennel seed extract on the STAT signaling and intestinal barrier function
This study examined and confirmed the usefulness of fennel seed extract on intestinal epithelium barrier function and the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) pathway.
Fennel: Drugs and Lactation Database
Discusses the usefulness of fennel to improve milk content and supply.
This study is used to evaluate the effectiveness of fennel for medical use. It focuses on menopause symptoms.
This study has shown the effectiveness of fennel. It reduced pain more than the placebo.
This study looked at how fennel helped with GI issues. Not only does it have a lot of nutrient values, but it also helps with GI issues, especially in the upper GI tract.