Ingredient
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare fruit, commonly called fennel seed, used as a culinary spice and in oral herbal medicines.
Reviewed health uses
Bloating
Sweet fennel fruit has recognized traditional medicinal use for mild spasmodic digestive complaints including bloating and flatulence. The recognition reflects long-standing use, not strong modern evidence that ordinary culinary fennel treats nonspecific bloating.
Intestinal gas
Sweet fennel fruit has recognized traditional use for mild spasmodic digestive complaints including flatulence. This does not establish that ordinary food amounts or any fennel tea are clinically proven treatments.
Menstrual cramps
Fennel preparations have reduced menstrual-cramp pain in several trials and meta-analyses. The overall signal is favorable, but small studies, publication bias, variable preparations, and limited adverse-event reporting lower confidence.
Household preparations
Safety information
No published ingredient-specific cautions are attached.