Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

• GI tract spasticity, flatulence or bloating, anorexia
• expectorant and cough suppressant
• enhance lactation and promote menstruation

Contraindicated in:

• Allergy to carrot, celery, mugwort or other members of the Apiaceae family
• OB: Pregnancy and lactation.

Use Cautiously in:

• Hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast, uterine, and ovarian, as well as other conditions, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids, due to possible estrogenic effects
• Fennel oil should not be consumed for more thantwo weeks). Alcohol-containing products should be used cautiously in patients with known intolerance or liver disease.

Derm: photosensitivity.

Natural-Drug Products:

• ↓ciprofloxacin bioavailability by 50%; space administration times.
• Alcohol-containing preparations may interact with disulfiram and metronidazole.
• May interfere with effects of oral contraceptives, estrogens, andtamoxifen.

Natural-Natural Products:

• None known.

• Tea: ^OTC;
• Dried fruit/seed: ^OTC;
• Tincture: ^OTC;
• Oil: ^OTC;

• PO (Adults): Tea — steep 1–2 g dried fruit or seed in 150 mL boiling water and strain. One cup tea QD-TID; Tincture — 5–7.5 g per day; Oil — 0.1–0.6 mL per day. Fennel oil should not be consumed for more than 2 wk.

Carosella, finnochio, Foeniculum vulgare, Foeniculum officinale, Foeniculum capillaceum, Anethum foeniculum

• Fennel contains volatile oils which may promote GI motility and have antispasmodic effects, reduce upper respiratory tract secretions and increase mucociliatory activity. May have estrogenic effects.

• Relief from GI discomfort.

Therapeutic Classification: antispasmodics

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-life: Unknown.

• Instruct patients that grow this herb not to confuse it with Hemlock, which may be fatal if ingested.
• Inform patients that there is insufficient information to recommend use of this herbal supplement.
• Advise patients not to use this herb for longer than 2 wk.
• Caution patients to use sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent photosensitivity reactions.
• Advise female patients to avoid use of fennel if pregnancy is planned or suspected.
• Inform patients that the long term risks of this herb are not known.

NDC Code^*

• 68428- Washington Homeopathic Products
  • 68428-942- Foeniculum vulgare
    • 68428-942-03- 75 PELLET in 1 VIAL, GLASS (68428-942-03)

• 68428- Washington Homeopathic Products
  • 68428-942- Foeniculum vulgare
    • 68428-942-05- 150 PELLET in 1 VIAL, GLASS (68428-942-05)

• 68428- Washington Homeopathic Products
  • 68428-942- Foeniculum vulgare
    • 68428-942-06- 1200 PELLET in 1 BOTTLE, GLASS (68428-942-06)

• 68428- Washington Homeopathic Products
  • 68428-942- Foeniculum vulgare
    • 68428-942-11- 300 PELLET in 1 BOTTLE, GLASS (68428-942-11)

• 68428- Washington Homeopathic Products
  • 68428-942- Foeniculum vulgare
    • 68428-942-12- 600 PELLET in 1 BOTTLE, GLASS (68428-942-12)

• 71919- Washington Homeopathic Products
  • 71919-296- Foeniculum vulgare
    • 71919-296-07- 15 mL in 1 VIAL, GLASS (71919-296-07)

• 71919- Washington Homeopathic Products
  • 71919-296- Foeniculum vulgare
    • 71919-296-08- 30 mL in 1 VIAL, GLASS (71919-296-08)

• 71919- Washington Homeopathic Products
  • 71919-296- Foeniculum vulgare
    • 71919-296-09- 50 mL in 1 BOTTLE, GLASS (71919-296-09)

• 71919- Washington Homeopathic Products
  • 71919-296- Foeniculum vulgare
    • 71919-296-10- 100 mL in 1 BOTTLE, GLASS (71919-296-10)