Fennel; Foeniculum

Constituents of interest

Fennel contains diosgenin, anethole, estragole and dianethole. Diosgenin has progestogenic properties. Anethole, estragole and dianethole are anisoles.

Published studies

Fennel raises prolactin. Foeniculum use has had demonstrated a minor result of reducing body hair and for protecting ovarian tissue.

Anecdotal evidence

Use of fennel has caused menses to restart, so its use and amount should be very limited. The positive effects of fennel seem conditional when in the presence of bodily estrogen. Diosgenin or its metabolites behave as progestogenic.

Fennel has also caused brown spotting during menses which has been light and prolonged, which is likely due to its phytoprogestin content.

Foeniculum for breast enhancement

Use of fennel should be limited to mid-proliferative phase or luteal phase to no more than 1 individual fennel seed at a time. Fennel should be avoided for those who have a history of hormonal imbalances. Use fennel with another primarily phyto-progestin.

Foeniculum or herbs with similar properties are in herb programs based on menstrual phases. There must be balance throughout phases, and combinations of herbs help the body acheive balance for health, breast growth and hip growth. It's important that menses is light and short. Also, preventing an excess of negative symptoms for menses helps set the balance for proliferative phase. Luteal phase uses a different combination of herbs than proliferative phase for symptoms. For a simplified herb schedule, where there's commonality of herb recommendations for symptoms such as swelling and signs of excess estrogen, use nonmenses. BCP01 is a composite page of pieces of different programs on birth control or IUD use.

Herb timing and combinations' success for breast enhancement relies on menstrual phases. Descriptions and pictures of results from herb combination use can be seen in programs. For more guidance, see guide, or hirsutism-topic.

Similar herbs

Wild yam (Dioscorea), saw palmetto, olive oil, prepared walnut and coconut are primarily progestins, which substitute or supplement fennel. These other herbs can be used in large amounts, because they don't contain anisoles which increase FSH, which is responsible for egg release. Wild yam and fennel contain the phyto-progestin diosgenin.

Angelica (dong quai), anise, caraway, carrots, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel and parsley within the celery family have varying hormonal properties aside from many of them containing anisoles. Anise, dill and liquorice definitely contain anethole, estragole or related compounds.

Spearmint, peppermint and basil contain anisole constituents: anethole, estragole or similar phytochemicals. It seems basil is more androgenic, while spearmint and peppermint usually have estrogenic actions. Spearmint and peppermint have been replaced in other herb profiles.

Precautions

While fennel is a common spice used in cooking, there are questions about its and other spices within the celery family's role in cancer. There role of anisoles including anethole and estragole within related spices on cancer is unclear. Many herbs within the carrot family related to fennel have these anisoles.

Unfortunately, the celery family has a few toxic members that can cause severe permanent injury to the touch and/or death if ingested: hemlock, fool's parsley and hog weed. These deadly plants resemble other members within the celery family.

Be sure you properly identify safe herbs before handling or use.

See precautions for more details of care to be taken with herb use. Proper nutrition is a consideration for health. Also, check for the latest blog updates about herb and hormone safety.

It is very important that menses be light and not prolonged.

If you have hirsutism, PCOS, hot-flashes, other signs of hormone imbalances, see estrogen-imbalance, and hirsutism program journals at hirusitism-topic before trying herbs.

Herb concentrates can be tens of times more potent by weight than herbs in solid form. This can easily lead to hormone imbalances. For this reason, concentrate extracts are not recommended for extended or excessive internal use, especially during fertility years. Concentrates shouldn't be used to overcome plateaus. Another issue with herbal extracts, is that they may not have the full range of properties of the herb. Essential oils are not recommended for breast enhancement. If opting to use herbal extracts, use food grade extracts, with no more than 1 drop at a time diluted in water.