PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS FENNEL/ 303

Hydroxycoumarins (traces): umbelliferone, scopoletine,

osthenol, scoparin, Furocoumarins traces) including bergap-

ten, columbianetin, psoralen, xanthotoxin

Pyranocoumarins

Flavonoids

Fatty oil

EFFECTS: FENNEL SEED

The seed promotes gastrointestinal motility. In higher

concentrations, Fennel has an antispasmodic effect. Experi-

mentally, anethole and fenchone have been shown to have a

secretolytic effect in the respiratory tract of frogs. Aqueous

Fennel extracts raised the mucociliary activity of the ciliary

epithelium.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

FENNEL OIL

Approved by Commission E:

• Cough


• Bronchitis


• Dyspeptic complaints

Unproven Uses: Peptic discomforts, such as mild, spastic

disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, feeling of fullness,

flatulence; catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. Fennel

honey is used for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract in

children.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: Health risks or side effects following the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not

recorded. Allergic reactions following intake of Fennel have

been only very rarely observed. Cross Sensitivity among

patients with celery allergy appear to be possible.

Pregnancy: Preparations, excluding the drug itself and tea

infusions are not to be administered during pregnancy.

Pediatric Use: Preparations, excluding the drug itself and tea

infusions are not to be administered to small children.

DOSAGE

FENNEL OIL

Mode of Administration: Essential oil and galenic prepara-

tions for internal use.

Note: Diabetics must check the sugar content of available
preparations.

Daily Dosage: 0.1 to 0.6 ml of Fennel oil

Duration of administration: Maximum of 2 weeks.

FENNEL SEED

Mode of Administration: Crushed or ground seeds for teas,

tea-like products, as well as other galenic preparations for

internal use.

Daily Dosage: 5 to 7 gm of drug

LITERATURE

Betts TJ, J Pharm Pharmacol 20:469-472 et 61S-64S. 1968.

Czygan FC. ZPT 8:82. 1987.

El-Khrisy EAM et al.. (1980) Titoterapia 51:273.

Forster HB et al., (1980) Planta Med 40(4):309.

Gershbein LL, (1977) Food Cosmet Toxicol 15(3):173.

Harborne JB, Williams CE, (1972) Phytochemistry 11:1741.

Harries N et al., (1978) J Clin Pharm 2:171.

Hiller K, Pharmazeutische Bewertung ausgewahlter Teedrogen.

In: DAZ 135(16): 1425-1440. 1995.

Karlsen J et al., (1969) Planta Med 17:281.

Karlsen J et al., PM 17:281-293. 1969.

Kunzemann J, Hermann K, (1977) Z Lebensm Unters Forsch

164:194.

Massoud H, Study on the essential oil in seeds of some fennel

cultivars under egyptian environmental conditions. In: PM

58(7):A681. 1992.

Parzinger R, Fenchel. In: DAZ 136(7):529-530. 1996.

Rothbacher H, Kraus A, (1970) Pharmazie 25:566.

Shah CS et al., PM 18:285-295. 1970.

Stahl E, (1980) Dtsch Apoth Ztg 45:2324.

Trenkle K, PA 27:319-324. 1972.

Further information in:

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag

Heidelberg 1996.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.