Category

Synonyms

Adas, adas pedas, anason dulce, aneth doux, anis, Anethum foeniculum, Anthemis cotula (dog fennel), Apaiaceae (parsley family), aptechnyj ukrop, apteegitilliseemne, badesopu, badishep, bitter fennel, carosella, cay thi la, common fennel, edeskomeny, fenchel, fenheli parastie, fenhelis, fenicol, fenikel, fenkel, fenkhel, fenkoli, fenkolo, fennel honey syrup, fennel oil, fenneru, fennika, fennikel, fenouil, fenoun, fenykl, ferula communis (giant fennel), finocchio, finokio, florence fennel, Foeniculi antheroleum, Foeniculum capillaceum, Foeniculum officinale, Foeniculum vulgare, Fructus foeniculi, funcho, garden fennel, guamoori, haras, harilik apteegitill, hinojo, hoehyang, hoehyang-pul, hoi huong, hui xiang, jinten manis, kama, koper wloski, komorac, koper, koromac, large cummin, large fennel, lus an t'saiodh, madhurika, maduru, marac, maratho, mehul, mellet karee, merula obisnuita, mieloi, miur belar, molura, morach, moti saunf, mouri, paciolis, pak chi duanha, pan mohuri, paprastasis pankolis, pedda jilakarra, pennel, perunjiragam, phak si, phong karee, phytoestrogen, razianaj, razianeh, razyana, rezene, samit, samong-saba, saunf, shamaar, shamar, shamari, shamraa, shatpushpa, shoap, shoumar, shumar, siu wuih heung, sladki komarcek, sladkij ukrop, so-hoehyang, sohikirai, sombu, sonf, sopu, spice of the angels, sulpha, sweet cumin, sweet fennel, thian-klaep, tian hi xiang, tieu hoi huong, tihm wuih heung, uikyo, ukrop sladki, Umbilliferae (parsley family), venkel, wariari, wild fennel, wuih heung, xiao hui xiang, yira.

Note: Some languages do not differentiate between anise and fennel.

Background

Fennel is native to the Mediterranean region. For centuries, fennel fruits have been used as traditional herbal medicine in Europe and China. For the treatment of infants suffering from dyspeptic (indigestion) disorders, fennel tea is the remedy of first choice. Its administration as a carminative (digestive aid) is practiced in infant care in private homes and in maternity clinics where it is highly appreciated for its mild flavor and good tolerance.

There is evidence suggesting that fennel is effective in reducing infantile colic. Fennel has also been studied in human clinical trials for ACE inhibitor-induced cough, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), and ultraviolet protection, but additional research is merited in these areas.