Fennel; Foeniculum
This is about fennel's hormonal properties for breast enlargement. Properties are described, and there is information based on evidence on how to use fennel for breast enlargement.
Etymology
The genus of fennel goes by the scientific name of Foeniculum. The species Foeniculum vulgare goes by sweet fennel.
Fennel belongs to the Apiaceae family, otherwise known as the celery or carrot family.
The celery family includes several herbs: angelica (dong quai), anise, caraway, carrots, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel and parsley.
Properties
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.
Use
Foeniculum for breast enhancement
Use of fennel should be limited to mid-proliferative phase to no more than 1 individual fennel seed in a herbal tea no more than once per phase. Fennel should be avoided for those who have health concerns. Proliferative is a specific herbal program limited to proliferative phase.
Foeniculum or herbs with similar properties are in the simplified herb program. The herb program of menses is needed for balance for this named phase. 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.
Similar herbs
Black seed (Nigella sativa) has similar phytohormones to fennel, so may be a substitute. Wild yam (Dioscorea) is a substitution for fennel's phyto-progestins. Wild yam contains diosgenin. Anise, dill and liquorice contain anethole, estragole or related compounds.
Angelica (dong quai), anise, caraway, carrots, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel and parsley within the celery family have varying hormonal properties.
Spearmint, peppermint and basil have constituents: anethole, estragole or similar phytochemicals. It seems basil is more androgenic, while spearmint and peppermint usually have estrogenic actions.
Ginseng and schizandra potentially have properties and effects that overlap with fennel's. However, the properties of ginseng and schizandra vary too much from fennel. These two adaptogens these would require more precision in an herb combination to improve estrogen balance.
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 herb extracts, use no more than 1 drop at a time diluted in a food-grade carrier oil (like unrefined olive oil), or water.
More
For the latest herb programs and how to get started, see: guide. Pictures of breast enhancement can be seen in the program journals of Anon09, Bubblemelon, Jellie and anon02.
For resources on hips and butt enhancement, see: /appendix/hips-butt-enhancement and /appendix/kettlebell.
breast-endocrinology.pdf describes the science of breast development and endocrinology. It also describes symptoms related to hormone imbalances. Biology and hormone imbalances are excerpts from this ebook. breast-endocrinology.pdf uses a Creative Commons (CC BY-ND 4.0) license.
Breast.is blog
References:
- The effect of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) gel 3% in decreasing hair thickness in idiopathic mild to moderate hirsutism, A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial.. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3894467/.
- Study of Foeniculum vulgare Effect on Folliculogenesis in Female Mice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4122825/.
- Foeniculum vulgare Mill: A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Contemporary Application, and Toxicology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4137549/.
- Effect of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) vaginal cream on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26617271.
- Fennel and anise as estrogenic agents. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6999244.
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fennel (foeniculum vulgare) on menopausal symptoms: a high placebo response. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29755029/.
- Effect of fennel vaginal cream on sexual function in postmenopausal women: a double blind randomized controlled trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29696061/.
- Ovarian protection in cyclophosphamide-treated mice by fennel. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28959636/.
- Effect of fennel on pain intensity in dysmenorrhoea: A placebo-controlled trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23559811/.
- Oral fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) drop effect on primary dysmenorrhea: Effectiveness of herbal drug. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23983742/.
- EFFECT OF FOENICULUM VULGARE SEED EXTRACT ON MAMMARY GLANDS AND OVIDUCTS OF OVARIECTOMISED RATS. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22557513/.
- Effect of the aqueous extract of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) on the kidney in experimental PCOS female rats. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25050308/.
- Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial.. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28509813/.
- Rescue effects of aqueous seed extracts of Foeniculum vulgare and Carum carvi against cadmium-induced hepatic, renal and gonadal damage in female albino rats. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29268967/.
- Thresholds of carcinogenicity of flavors. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12151622.
- A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3642442/.
Etymology & Definitions:
- USDA Plant classification: fennel. https://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=FOENI&display=31.
- USDA Plant classification: sweet fennel. https://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=display&classid=FOVU.
- The Plant List: Foeniculum. http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Apiaceae/Foeniculum/.
Resources:
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]: Fennel. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501793/.