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Fennel is
LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in the amounts commonly found in food. It is
POSSIBLY SAFE when used as at appropriate doses for a short period of time. Fennel creams are also
POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin. There is not enough evidence to know whether fennel is safe when used as medicine for longer periods of time. Although rare, other side effects might include stomach and intestinal upset. Seizures related to taking fennel essential oil by mouth have also been reported.
Some people can have allergic skin reactions to fennel. People who are allergic to plants such as celery, carrot, and mugwort are more likely to also be allergic to fennel. Fennel can also make skin extra sensitive to sunlight and make it easier to get a sunburn. Wear sunblock if you are light-skinned.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the safety of using fennel during pregnancy. It's best to avoid use.
During breast-feeding, fennel is
POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It's been reported that two breast-feeding infants experienced damage to their nervous systems after their mothers drank an herbal tea that contained fennel.
Children: Fennel products are
POSSIBLY SAFE when used at appropriate doses by young infants for colic for up to one week.
Allergy to celery, carrot or mugwort: Fennel might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to these plants.
Bleeding disorders: Fennel might slow blood clotting. Taking fennel might increase the risk of bleeding or bruising in people with bleeding disorders.
Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Fennel might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, do not use fennel.
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Spices such as fennel may cause a severe allergic reaction in some people.
Fennel is rich in potassium, and high potassium levels can also result in kidney damage or kidney dysfunction; do not take it in large doses if you have kidney damage or illness. When the kidneys are damaged, they are not able to filter any excess potassium from the blood, which can be fatal in extreme cases.
Fennel might also lead to sensitivity to sunlight when applied topically, so if you’re using it as an antiseptic, be aware that it might lead to skin irritation and an increased risk of sunburn.
Medication Interactions With Fennel
Fennel may have an estrogenic effect, meaning it acts like estrogen in the body. Pregnant or nursing mothers should use caution when taking fennel supplements. If you have cancer, you are more susesptible to the effects of estrogen, so avoid it in any form, including teas and extracts. Fennel may also interact with birth control; do not take it if you are on birth control medications.
If you are taking estrogen for menopause or other conditions, taking it might lead to a hormonal imbalance. It is best to consult a physician if you are on hormonal therapy before taking it.
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is a drug used to treat cancers that are affected by estrogen in the body. Since it has an estrogenic effect, taking the two together is not recommended. It might lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of Tamoxifen.
Beta-blockers, which are prescribed for anxiety and heart disease, might interact with it and render medications less effective, so don’t take them while taking fennel extract.
Do not take it if you are taking the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, as it could reduce its effectiveness. *
