Fennel: Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings (2024)

• Uses
  • What Is Fennel and How Does It Work?
• Dosage
  • What Are Dosages of Fennel?
• Side Effects
  • What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Fennel?
• Drug Interactions
  • What Other Drugs Interact with Fennel?
• Warnings and Precautions
  • What Are Warnings and Precautions for Fennel?

What Is Fennel and How Does It Work?

Fennel is an herbal supplement which can be used as treatment of infants and nursing children suffering from colic and dyspeptic disease, as a digestive aid, to treat upper respiratory infections, coughs and sore throat, reduces pain associated with menstrual cramps, it can increase milk secretion, promote menstruation, facilitate birth, alleviate male climacteric symptoms and increase libido. Fennel can also be used for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant properties.

• Colic: a clinical trial showed breastfed infants with colic had decreased crying time.
• There is insufficient reliable information about the effectiveness of fennel for other uses.
• Fennel is available under the following different brand names: Aneth Doux, Bitterfenchel, Fenchel, and Foeniculum Vulgare.

What Are Dosages of Fennel?

Dosages of Fennel:

Tea

• 1-2 g crushed seed in 150 ml of boiling water

Tincture

• 5.75 g/day orally

Fennel Oil

• 0.1-0.6 ml; no more than for 2 weeks

Capsules

• 1-2 capsules (480-960 mg) three times daily, preferably with food

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• None

What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Fennel?

Side effects of Fennel include:

• difficulty breathing
• tightness of chest/throat
• chest pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• hives
• rash
• itchy or swollen skin
• mild increase in menstrual flow
• sun sensitivity

Serious side effects of Fennel include:

• seizures

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

What Other Drugs Interact with Fennel?

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Fennel has no known severe interactions with any drugs.
• Fennel has no known serious interactions with any drugs.
• Fennel has moderate interactions with at least 78 different drugs.
• Mild Interactions of Fennel include:
  • anamu
  • ciprofloxacin
  • danshen
  • devil's claw

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Fennel?

Warnings

• Avoid use if there is hypersensitivity to carrots, celery, or mugwort.
• Do use when using antibiotics.
• Avoid using fennel preparations other than fennel honey and fennel seed infusions during pregnancy.
• Children only use fennel, honey.
• Epilepsy or seizure disorder
• This medication contains fennel. Do not take aneth doux, bitterfenchel, fenchel, or Foeniculum vulgare if you are allergic to fennel or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Avoid use if there is hypersensitivity to carrots, celery, or mugwort
• Do not use when using antibiotics

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Fennel?"

Long-Term Effects

• Avoid using fennel for long time periods or in large quantities
• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Fennel?"

Cautions

• Seek physician's advice for use of fennel during pregnancy or when breastfeeding
• Avoid the use of fennel preparations other than fennel honey and fennel seed infusions during pregnancy
• For children, use only fennel honey
• Avoid the use of fennel for a long time period or in large quantities
• Epilepsy or seizure disorder

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use only fennel honey and fennel seed infusions during pregnancy
• Fennel may increase milk flow when breastfeeding, consult with a physician