Fennel

Fennel is an herb plant which blooms pleasant- smelling yellow flowers and grows perennially. It is not only used as culinary plant but also as medical plants. All parts of fennel has similar flavors as anise or licorice which contains 3-6% perfumed essential oil in the seeds and can be flavored in food and beverages. Even so it has a broad area in chicken, fennel still made an impression in the medical field that servers many medical benefits for digestion system. For more information to prepare fennel and use it as a culinary plant, here is the video and can be acquired in the How to cut funnel

Description Fennel is scientifically known as Foeniculum vulgare. The word fennel came from the Old English fenol or finol which the Romans gave the plants name: foeniculum, which is the genus name now. In ancient Greece, fennel was called marathorn which means to grow thin. Fennel has had a long history being a medical plant and as well as the culinary plant (Rebecca et al. 2010). It is originally from Mediterranean area and became popular throughout the world (Vaughan and Patricia 2003). Travel back to about 2000 years ago, the Geek physician Hippocrates and Dioscorides recommended to use fennel treat infant colicky and used as a galactagogue. On the other hand, Roman physician Pliny used fennel in 20 different medicines (Rebecca et al. 2010).

Fennel belongs to the genus of Foeniculum which has 4 or 5 species from Eurasia. There are two common types of varieties grow in garden: Finocchio, or Florence fennel (Rebecca et al. 2010). It is known as anise (it is the part of fennels bulbs with strong licorice or anise aroma.) which is usually seen in the U.S. supermarket. It is also very popular in Europe whether used by baking, blanching, or raw (NCN 1993). The common garden fennel (F.Capillaceum or officinale) has some different of the wild fennel (F. vulgare). The garden fennel is stronger, and taller; its tubule and stems are larger; and has less divided leaves. However, when the chiefs distinguish fennel, they look at the leaf stalks. If the leaf stalk from a curved sheath is as far as the base of the leaf, it is a garden fennel. Also, the garden fennels pedicels are stronger; the fruits are to inches longer (Botinacal.com) Researchers, who are from New Crops Center, found fennel was one of the specialties vegetable that is not relatively known in the U.S. market and will have a promising future in this country (NCN 1993). Nutritional Information According to the USDA, 1 cup (about 87g) of fennel contains the following nutrition facts: Energy: 27 kcal Total Fat: 0.2 g Carbohydrates: 6 g (Dietary fiber 2.7g) Protein: 1.08 g For more nutritional information, it can be acquired in the USDA full report (All nutrients): 11957, Fennel, bulb, raw. Fennel has its unique combination of phytonutrients which include the flavonoids rutin, quercitin, and different kaempferol glycosides. It creates a strong antioxidant activity. Anethole might be a fascinating component phytonutrients in fennel. Animal study shows that it can decrease inflammation repeatedly and help reduce the occurrence of cancer. Researches recommended a biological mechanism which might be used to explain these effects. The mechanism shows that the anethole would shut down the tumor necrosis factor to mediate the intercellular signaling. By preventing the signaling process, the anethole stops the possible gene altering and NF-kappaB (it is the molecule triggered by inflammation). Study shows that the essential oil in fennel can be use to protect the experimental animals liver away from the toxic chemical injury. Fennel contains a large amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C which found in fennel bulb is antimictobical; and it should be functioned properly in immune system (The worlds healthiest foods).

Conventional Medicinal Properties and Uses According to national geographic guide to medicinal herbs, fennel initially to be used to aid digestion and relax the muscles of the digestive and reproductive system to alleviate cramping (Rebecca et al. 2010). It can help the body to expel the gases, stimulating the breast milk production, easing childbirth, remitting the symptoms of cough and so on. Animal and test tub studies show that there are many medical effect of fennel such as relaxing muscle, promoting flow of bile and easing pain. However, in human studies, only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can actually show that treatment involves fennel is effective (NYU Langone medical center). Although fennel is an important herb to treat illness, it is not evaluate by the FDA for safety (Drugs.com). Infantile Colic There are two studies show that colic can be treated by fennel seed oil when uses alone or with chamomile and lemon balm. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 125 colic infants were chosen. They were either given fennel seed oil (dosage of 12mg daily per kg of baby weight) or placebo. Results showed that compared to 40% infants who showed relief of colic symptoms after taking fennel seeds oil, there were only 14% in the placebo group appears improved (NYU Langone medical center). The double-blind, placebo- controlled study also found tea which containing fennel and other herb medical such as lemon balm has the similar benefits (NYU Langone medical center).There is another way to see the results in the study mentioned above by looking at the infants inconsolable crying hour. Infants, who were receiving a product that contains fennel, lemon balm and chamomile, showed that the crying hour is shorter than the infant with no treatment. Menstrual Cramps and Other illness Fennel seeds may help women who are suffering with menstrual cramps and reduce menstrual pain. One study shows that fennel has the similar degree as the common prescribed anti-inflammatory medication to ease cramping (Rebecca et al. 2010). Historically, fennel was used to increase the breast milk flow but modern medical provide no evidence to support this effect. Cough and cold syrups sometimes contains fennel seeds for flavor and medical purpose. Animal study shows that fennel seeds possess the abilities to thin mucus and aid expectoration. German health authorizes found out that fennel can be used to treat digestion problems (Rebecca et al. 2010).

Interaction Birth control pills Birth control pills have the same contains of fennel-estrogen-but fennel may decrease the pesticide effects of birth control pills. But fennel is less strong than the estrogen in birth control pills. If take birth control pill and fennel together, additional form of birth control such as a condom is recommended (WebMD). Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) Tamoxifen is another one which interacts with fennel because fennel also affects estrogen levels in the body. Tamoxifen is used to help treat the estrogensensitive cancer which is the cancer affected by the estrogen level. Taking fennel and Tamoxifen together may decrease the tamoxifen properties (WebMD). Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin is one of the examples of antibiotic. Fennel may decrease the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin the body absorbed. By avoiding this interaction, take fennel at least one hour after ciprofloxacin (WebMD). Dosage According to the WebMD website, the following doses is studied in scientific research: To treat colic infants, combine 164mg of fennel, 97mg of lemon balm, and 178mg of chamomile together; give the infant twice per day for a week (WebMD). General fennel use in tea is to use over teaspoon seeds powder in 1 cup of boiling water, and steep for 10 minutes (Rebecca et al. 2010). Alternative Medicinal Properties and Uses In African, fennel is used for pertussis. They use it into the treat and bath to treat fevers; and mixes fennel with molasses and hog hoof in tea to treat respiratory disorders. In China, fennel was used to treat snakebites and it is also use to treat digestion disorder such as flatulence, dyspepsia, and urinary disorders. It is also used as appetite stimulation.

In Europe, German Commission states that fennel oil and seed can be use for varieties of gastrointestinal disorders. It can promote the gastrointestinal motility, antispasmodic, and antimicrobial. It can also help to prevent the respiratory disorders. Health Risks Fennel looks safe in food in certain amounts but there is no enough evidence to support fennel is safe when adults or children is taking in medical filed. There is one study shows that the combination product of fennel, lemon balm and chamomile is likely safe to use in infants to treat colic when used up to one week. Also, people, who are allergic celery, carrot, mugwort and plants similar to these types, are having a potential risk to get allergic skin reaction when use fennel. When allegic reaction appears, patients may have a difficult time to breath, their throat closes, or their lips, tongue, or face swells. On the other hand, fennel may cause skin to get sunburn easier because the skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight. (WebMD). There are some special precautions and warnings for pregnancy women and breast feeding women and their infants. It doesnt have enough evidence to prove fennel can be safely used during pregnancy and breast-feeding. During breast-feeding, some reports indicate that there are 2 infants, who were in breastfeeding, had damage to their nervous system when their mother had an herbal tea which contained fennel (WebMD). Recommendations For the first time to take tea or any medicine which contains fennel, ask your doctor first. Fennel can cause the risk of seizures increase; if you have epilepsy or other seizures disorder, or any medicine to treat this kind of disease, ask your doctor before use it. Fennel is not evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. There might have some potential health risks or advantages people dont know. In addition, there is no scientifically proved regulation for manufacturing standard in medical compounds (Drugs.com). To avoid potential risks, ask doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional before use fennel if you allergic some plants such as carrots and celery; or if you are taking any other medicine or health supplements. Do not give your children any of medicine, food, or beverage which contains fennel because there is no enough information regarding the use of fennel for a child is safe or not. It is best take your children to a doctor before use (Drug.com).

Reference Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture [Internet]. USDA. [cited 2013 Nov 09]. Available from: http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3613?fg=&man=&lfacet=&count=&m ax=25&sort=&qlookup=11957&offset=&format=Full&new=1&measureby Botanical.com [Internet]. Botanical.com; [cited 2013 Nov 09]. Available from: http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/f/fennel01.html Center for New Crops & Plant Products [Internet]. 1993. Purdue University; [cited 2013 Nov 10]. Available from: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/newcropsnews/93-3-1/fennel.html Drug Information Online Drug.com [Internet]. 2011 Jan 10. Cerner Multum, Inc.; [cited 2013 Nov 11]. Available from: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/fennel.html How to cut fennel [video on the Internet] MonkeySee. 2010 May 28 [cited 2013 Nov. 29]; 3 min. and 19 sec.. sound,color. Available from: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/res5e_ch11_s1-0003.html Johnson, Rebecca LF, Steven. 2010. National Geographic guide to medicinal herbs: the world's most effective healing plants Guide to medicinal herbs. Washington (DC): National Geographic. 383p. Available from: EBSCOhost thru Phoenix College Library. Natural Standard: the authority on integrative medicine [Internet]. Natural Standard. [cited Nov 10]. Available from: http://www.naturalstandard.com/news/news201112007.asp NYU Langone Medical center [Internet]. 2013Aug. EBSCO Publishing; Available from: http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=108303

Vaughan JG, Patricia A. 2003. The Oxford book of health foods Health foods. Oxford (NY): Oxford University Press. 188p. Available from: EBSCOhost thru Phoenix College Library. The words healthiest foods [Internet]. The George Mateljan Foundation. [cited 2013 Nov 11] Available from: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=23 WebMD [Internet]. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. [cited 2013 Nov 10] Available from: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-311FENNEL.aspx?activeIngredientId=311&activeIngredientName=FENNEL