Foeniculi a amari aetheroleum

Official essential oil of fennel fruit (see below Foeniculi fructus) obtained by steam distillation. Available are monographs of the commissions E and HMPC.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC - mon ograph: traditional-use: mild cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints, flatulence. also mild menstrual cramps, also expectorant for cough in colds.
ESCOP monograph: dyspeptic complaints, mild cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints, flatulence, but also catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. only the bitter fennel to relieve menstrual cramps
Commission E-Monograph: dyspeptic complaints. mild, crampy gastrointestinal complaints, bloating, flatulence, also catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.

Empirical medicine: loss of appetite, infantile dyspepsia with diarrhea, promotion of lactation, externally as eyewash for fatigue symptoms.

Efficacy determining ingredients are 55-75% trans anethole (sweet taste), 12-25% D-fenchone, max. 6% methylchavicol, 1-10% alpha-pinene. Furthermore D-limonene, anise acid, anisaldehyde and others.

Promotion of gastrointestinal motility, secretolytic, spasmolytic. Experimental: antimicrobial.

Indications according to the specifications of Commission E for dyspeptic complaints, bloating, flatulence. Catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.
Recent studies show relief of menopausal symptoms: hot flushes, insomnia, dryness of the vagina, anxiety.

Daily dose /TD) 0.2-0.6 ml essential oil, equivalent to 0.2-0.6g of the drug. Alternatively (especially for children) 10-20g of a 0.5% fennel honey (preparation 100g honey with 0.5g fennel oil)

Rare allergic reactions

Pregnancy and infancy

High doses of fennel oil can have estrogen-like effects.

1. Schilcher H et al (2010) Guide to phytotherapy. 124-125
2. Rahimikian F et al. (2017) Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill (fennel) on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Menopause 24:1017-1021
3. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/fenchel.php