Foeniculum Vulgare – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Composition And More

What Is Foeniculum Vulgare?

Foeniculum vulgare is a kind of flowering plant species that belongs to the carrot family. It is a hard, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is native to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized in many parts of the world. It generally grows about 2.5 meters (8 feet) tall. Fennel is widely grown, both in its local area and elsewhere, for its edible, strongly flavored leaves and fruits.

Dried fennel seeds are commonly used as a spice in minute quantities. An appropriate quantity of 100 grams of fennel seeds provides 1,440 kilojoules (345 kilocalories) of food energy. It is a rich source of protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and several dietary minerals, especially calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese. Fennel seeds are 52% carbohydrates (including 40% dietary fiber), 15% fat, 16% protein, and 9% water.

Foeniculum Vulgare Chemical Constituents.

The exquisite fragrance of fennel fruits comes from volatile oils that produces a variety of scents, including trans-anethole and estragole (which smell like liquorice), fenchone (with mint and camphor notes), limonene, and 1-octen-3-ol (which has a mushroom-like scent). Foeniculum vulgare or fennel fruits also contain other phytochemicals, such as polyphenols like rosmarinic acid and luteolin, though these are present in smaller amounts.

The chemicals found in foeniculum vulgare plants, including phytochemicals and secondary compounds, could be used to create medicines like terpenoids, triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, coumarins, polyacetylenes, and steroids. These substances have a wide variety of uses, including in food, medicine, drinks, spices, insect repellents, cosmetics, fragrances, and various industrial products.

Foeniculum vulgare Preparation

Foeniculum vulgare is commonly known as fennel, and it has a long history of use in various traditional and herbal medicine systems.

Here are some general methods of preparation of foeniculum vulgare:

• Harvesting: Fennel is harvested throughout the growing season, but the leaves, seeds, and roots are commonly harvested at different times of season depending on the intended use of the plant. The leaves and stems are harvested fresh. The seeds are harvested when their heads are dried in fall. Whereas, the roots are harvested when the plant has finished flowering during the time of fall.
• Drying: The harvested parts of the plant are dried for a longer duration in order to store them for a longer period. The leaves are spread, seeds, or roots in a thin layer in a well-ventilated, shaded area and allowed to fully dry for better storage and use.
• Processing: The fresh or dried leaves are generally used whole or chopped in small pieces for teas, infusions, or as a culinary herb. The seeds are dried completely and then crushed or ground into a powder for teas, spice mixes, or other preparations. The roots of foeniculum vulgare are sliced, chopped, or grounded into a powder for tinctures, decoctions, or topical applications.

Foeniculum Vulgare Mother Tincture

Foeniculum vulgare mother tincture is a homeopathic medicine which is made of fennel. It has diuretic, heart-strengthening, soothing, and aphrodisiac properties. It is used as a common medicine used to treat cancerous wounds, hardened breast glands, and certain types of tumors.

Foeniculum vulgare is used to relieve pain in the right elbow joint and upper jawbone, and it helps increase milk production in pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. Foeniculum vulgare mother tincture has the main ingredients as fennel plant extract and ethanol.

Here are some benefits of foeniculum vulgare mother tincture mentioned below:

• It cures cancerous wounds and medical conditions affecting the skin or internal organs
• It hardens the breast glands
• Lowers the pain in the left upper jaw and right elbow joint
• Effective for indigestion and upset stomach
• Helps with abdominal pain and gas in children
• Restores the appetite and treats diarrhea
• It shows anti-inflammatory properties and can help with chronic cough
• It aids in motion sickness and helps lower anxiety and depression

Benefits Of Foeniculum Vulgare

Foeniculum vulgare, most commonly known as fennel, can be consumed in various forms, like the leaves, seeds, and bulbs. It can be used in cooking, as a tea, or as a dietary supplement.
Here are some of the benefits of foeniculum vulgare discussed below:

• Digestive Health: Fennel is considered a carminative, which means it can help in controlling gas, bloating, and other digestive issues. The essential oils in Foeniculum vulgare, like anethole, consist of antispasmodic properties that help in relaxing the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and help in improving overall digestion. Also, Foeniculum vulgare is used in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, and constipation.
• Respiratory Health: Foeniculum vulgare also has expectorant and decongestant properties, which makes it useful in the treatment of respiratory conditions like coughs, bronchitis, and asthma. The volatile oils included in it can also help thin out mucus and facilitate its expulsion, providing relief from respiratory congestion.
• Cardiovascular Health: Anethole and quercetin are the compounds that are found in Foeniculum vulgare, which supports cardiovascular health. Along with that, these compounds lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and improve overall heart function. It also shows a mild diuretic effect, helping to reduce fluid retention and lower the risk of hypertension.
• Hormonal Balance: Phytoestrogens are Foeniculum vulgare-derived compounds that can enact the effects of estrogen in the body. Thus, this makes it useful in the management of menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and mood swings. It also helps regularize menstrual cycles and relaxes the menstrual cramps and pain.
• Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties: Foeniculum vulgare is found to be rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, quercetin, and kaempferol, which protects the body from oxidative stress and reduces inflammation. This makes foeniculum vulgare useful in the prevention and management of multiple inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and different types of cancer.
• Antimicrobial and Insect Repellent Effects: Due to its antimicrobial properties, it acts as a natural preservative and also works in the treatment of certain bacterial and fungal infections. The strong aroma of the plant is helpful in deterring pests like mosquitoes and flies, hence works as a natural insect repellent.

What Does Foeniculum Vulgare Treat?

Foeniculum vulgare is a versatile plant with a wide range of potential therapeutic applications. It is used to treat multiple medical conditions and has a long history of daily use.

• Digestive Disorders: Foeniculum vulgare is widely used to treat a variety of digestive problems like indigestion, bloating, gas, constipation, and Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract and improves overall digestion through carminative (gas-relieving) and antispasmodic properties.
• Respiratory congestion: Foeniculum vulgare is commonly used to treat coughs, bronchitis, and asthma. It also helps thin out mucus, making it easier to expel, with the help of expectorant and decongestant properties, further reducing respiratory congestion.
• Menstrual Disorders: The phytoestrogen present in fennel helps regulate hormonal imbalances and relaxes menstrual-related problems such as menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), irregular menstrual cycles, and menopausal symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, mood swings).
• Cardiovascular Health: The consumption of Foeniculum vulgare lowers cholesterol levels, reduces blood pressure, and improves overall heart function. Anethole and quercetin are the compounds found in Foeniculum vulgare, which supports the cardiovascular system.
• Inflammatory Conditions: Foeniculum vulgare is also used to manage arthritis, certain types of cancer, and other inflammatory diseases due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The oxidative stress and inflammation in the body are also reduced due to the antioxidant compounds in fennel, including vitamin C, quercetin, and kaempferol.
• Antimicrobial and Insect Repellent Effects: The essential oils in Foeniculum vulgare have antimicrobial properties, which are used to treat bacterial and fungal infections in the body. The strong aroma of the fennel plant is used to repel mosquitoes and flies. Hence, it can also work as a natural insect repellent.

Foeniculum Vulgare Homeopathic Uses

Homeopathic practitioners have used various preparations of foeniculum vulgare for a range of health conditions. In homeopathic medicine, foeniculum vulgare is used in the form of diluted tinctures, pills, or ointments. The homeopathic preparation process involves a series of dilutions and successions (vigorous shaking) to create the final remedy. Here are some of the key homeopathic uses of foeniculum vulgare:

• Homeopathic Foeniculum vulgare is used to help relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, reducing spasms and relieving discomfort. In Homeopathy it is used to treat various digestive problems like indigestion, flatulence, colic, and constipation.
• The expectorant and decongestant properties in foeniculum vulgare are used to clear mucus and improve breathing. It also cures bronchial congestion, asthma, and coughs.
• The phytoestrogen in the Foeniculum vulgare is used to help maintain hormonal imbalances and provide relief from certain conditions like menstrual cramps and irregular menstrual cycles.
• It also helps in increasing the milk production in the breastfeeding mothers. The galactagogue (milk-enhancing) properties of Foeniculum vulgare stimulate the production and flow of breast milk.
• Homeopathic fennel eye drops or compresses are used to cure dryness in the eyes, eye strain, and conjunctivitis.
• The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of fennel are beneficial for skin problems such as insect bites, eczema, and dermatitis.

Foeniculum Vulgare Dosage

The dosage of Foeniculum vulgare varies depending on the method of consumption and the intended use. The exact dosage may depend on the individual’s health condition, age, and overall health status. 1-2 grams of dried seeds steeped in hot water to make tea can be consumed, which can be consumed 2-3 times daily. Even 0.1-0.6 mL of diluted fennel oil can be diluted and used up to three times per day. It is always recommended to first consult with a health care professional before consuming Foeniculum vulgare and confirming the right dosage, depending on the medical condition that needs to be treated through it.

Foeniculum Vulgare Dosage For Adults

The dosage of foeniculum vulgare for adults is based on which form it is administered and the medical condition that is required to be treated by it.

• The dried seeds of Foeniculum vulgare are taken about 1-2 grams per day; they are steeped in hot water to make tea, which can be consumed later.
• The fennel oil is first diluted for ingestion or topical application and is taken 0.1-0.6 mL per day.
• Fennel extracts or tinctures are consumed 1-2 mL of it (1:5 ratio) too 2-3 times daily.
• Also, 1-2 teaspoons of crushed fennel seeds are steeped in hot water for 10-15 minutes to make fennel tea.

Foeniculum Vulgare Dosage For Children

For children, the dosage of foeniculum vulgare should be lower than that for adults and customized to the child’s age and weight.

• Foeniculum vulgare steeped in hot water to make tea can be consumed 2-3 times daily, but the amount of water and steeping time should be adjusted to suit the child’s tolerance.
• The foeniculum vulgare oil should be diluted and used with caution in the case of a child.

It is generally not recommended for ingestion in young children unless advised by a healthcare professional. It is advised to consult a doctor before giving Foeniculum vulgare to children, especially in forms other than tea, to ensure safety and proper dosing.

Who should avoid Foeniculum Vulgare?

While foeniculum vulgare is mostly considered safe for most people when consumed in food. At the same time, there are certain individuals and situations where caution is advised when using fennel or fennel-based products. It is important to note that the severity and likelihood of these side effects and risks can vary depending on the individual, the dose, and the form of fennel used.

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Foeniculum vulgare shows estrogenic effects which could possibly interfere with pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• People with hormone-sensitive conditions: The phytoestrogens in the Foeniculum vulgare enact the effects of estrogen in the body, which leads to adverse effects for people having hormone-sensitive cancers, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.
• People with allergies or sensitivities: Some people may be allergic or hypersensitive to Foeniculum vulgare, which results in adverse reactions such as skin rashes, digestive distress, or respiratory problems.
• Children: There has not been much research done on the effects of the consumption of Foeniculum vulgare in children. Hence, it is advised not to consume it. But, when it is recommended by doctors it should be only taken with proper dosage and supervision.

Potential side effects and risks of Foeniculum Vulgare:

• Gastrointestinal issues: In some rare cases, the consumption of foeniculum vulgare may cause digestive side effects, such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or allergic reactions in some people, especially when consumed in large quantities.
• Skin reactions: The topical application of Foeniculum vulgare oil or products containing Foeniculum vulgare may cause skin irritation, rashes, or photosensitivity in some people.
• Hormonal disruptions: The phytoestrogen present in the Foeniculum vulgare may interfere with hormone levels in some cases, particularly in individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions.
• Interactions with medications: Foeniculum vulgare may interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners, diabetes medications, or hormone-based therapies.

References

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535212000792#:~:text=Foeniculum%20vulgare%20(Apiaceae)%20commonly%20known,treating%20respiratory%20and%20gastrointestinal%20disorders.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4137549/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/fennel
• https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=275990&isprofile=1&basic=Fennel
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fennel

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