Last update: March 21, 2018
Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully.
Use safer alternative or interrupt breastfeeding 3 to 7 T ½ (elimination half-lives).
Read the Comment.
Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM´s pediatricians and pharmacists, and are based on updated scientific publications.
It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it.
Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.
Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.
Fennel is also known as
Fennel in other languages or writings:
Fennel belongs to these groups or families:
Main tradenames from several countries containing Fennel in its composition:
Write to us at elactancia.org@gmail.com
e-lactancia is a resource recommended by Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - 2015 from United States of America
Would you like to recommend the use of e-lactancia? Write to us at corporate mail of APILAM
Herbal fruits are used. It contains essential oil (70% anethol, 10% stragol, 7% fenchone) coumarin and flavonoids.
Anethol is neurotoxic and may induce seizures. Mutagenic activity and mild estrogenic effect (Javidnia 2003, Albert 1980) have been found. It is excreted in low levels into breast milk (Hausner 2008).
Stragol has shown a carcinogenic effect on animals. In humans, at recommended dose, such effect has not been seen.
Fennel infusions have been used for treatment of colicky pain in the infant. Also used as a galactogogue despite the fact that no proof on effectiveness is available. Theoretically, it may decrease milk production. Help by ensuring self confidence in the mother, evaluation and dealing with lactation associated problems and giving effective support to nursing mothers would the best ways to enhance milk production.
Excessive consumption has caused letargia, vomiting and hypotonia in either two infants and their mothers (Rosti 1994).
For culinary purposes it does not pose any health risk if consumed as food or aromatic seasoning.
Precautions when taking plant preparations:
1. Ensure that they are from a reliable source: poisoning has occurred due to confusing one plant with another with toxic properties, as well as poisoning from heavy metals extracted from the ground and food poisoning due to contamination with bacteria or fungi.
2. Do not take in large amounts; follow recommendations from professional experts in phytotherapy. "Natural" products are not always good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can result in poisoning or act as endocrine disruptors if taken in excessive amounts or time periods.