Herbs and plantsFennel — does the tea really relieve bloating?
Sources: 4 · Article: 7 216 characters
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) states that an infusion made from the fruit of the sweet variety of fennel has traditionally been used for bloating and gas.
- The relaxing effects of fennel’s constituents may help with mild, cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints.
- Henryk Różański describes the traditional use of fennel for bloating and gives a recipe for an infusion: 2 g of crushed fruits per 200 ml of boiling water.
What the authors write
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)
Preparations made from the fruit of the sweet variety of fennel have traditionally been used for bloating and passing gas, and available forms include infusions.
„Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged
Medicines made from the fruit of the sweet variety of fennel are available in various forms for oral use, such as infusions, tablets and capsules. These medicines are made from dried fruits that have been cut, crushed or powdered. Preparations made from the fruit of the sweet variety of fennel are also available in combination with other herbal substances. The HMPC will assess combinations of these medicines separately. What are medicines made from the fruit of the sweet variety of fennel used for? Medicines made from the fruit of the sweet variety of fennel have traditionally been used for the following purposes: - symptomatic treatment of mild, cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints, including bloating and passing gas; - symptomatic treatment of mild cramps associated with menstruation; - as an expectorant for coughs associated with the common cold.”Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged
Leki otrzymywane z owocu słodkiej odmiany kopru włoskiego są dostępne w różnych postaciach do przyjmowania doustnego, np. napar, tabletki, kapsułki. Leki te są sporządzane z rozdrobnionych, pokruszonych lub sproszkowanych suszonych owoców. Przetwory sporządzane z owocu słodkiej odmiany kopru włoskiego występują również w połączeniu z innymi substancjami roślinnymi. HMPC dokona osobnej oceny połączeń tych leków. W jakim celu stosuje się leki otrzymywane z owocu słodkiej odmiany kopru włoskiego? Leki otrzymywane z owocu słodkiej odmiany kopru włoskiego tradycyjne stosuje się w następujących zastosowaniach: - leczenie objawowe łagodnych, kurczowych dolegliwości żołądkowo-jelitowych, w tym wzdęć i oddawania wiatrów; - leczenie objawowe łagodnych skurczów związanych z menstruacją; - jako środek wykrztuśny w kaszlu związanym z przeziębieniem.
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)
The use of fennel preparations for bloating is based on tradition, and many traditional herbal medicines have not undergone full testing using current scientific methods.
„The HMPC reached these conclusions after assessing the available bibliographic data on preparations containing the fruit of the sweet variety of fennel. The reasons for using these preparations are based on their traditional use as herbal medicines. Many traditional herbal medicines have not been thoroughly tested using current scientific methods.”HMPC doszedł do tych wniosków po ocenie dostępnych danych bibliograficznych dotyczących preparatów zawierających owoc słodkiej odmiany kopru włoskiego. Uzasadnienie stosowania tych przetworów opiera się na ich tradycyjnym zastosowaniu jako leków roślinnych. Wiele tradycyjnych leków roślinnych nie zostało całościowo poddanych badaniom z zastosowaniem obecnych metod naukowych.
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)
The relaxing effects of fennel’s constituents may contribute to its traditional use for mild, cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints.
„The relaxing and anti-inflammatory effects, together with the antibacterial effects, of the constituents may contribute to the traditional use of medicines made from the sweet variety of fennel to treat mild, cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints and coughs associated with the common cold.”Działanie relaksacyjne i przeciwzapalne wraz z działaniem przeciwbakteryjnym składników mogą przyczyniać się do tradycyjnego zastosowania leków otrzymywanych ze słodkiej odmiany kopru włoskiego w leczeniu łagodnych, kurczowych dolegliwości żołądkowo-jelitowych i w leczeniu kaszlu związanego z przeziębieniem.
Henryk Różański
Historical accounts described fennel fruit as a carminative and a remedy for bloating.
„In the 19th century, fennel fruit was considered a stimulant, diuretic, digestive tonic, mucus-dissolving remedy for phlegm, carminative and galactagogue. It was used to treat weakness of the stomach and intestines, prevent colic, and relieve bloating and gastrointestinal catarrh.”W XIX wieku owoc kopru uważano za środek pobudzający, moczopędny, wzmacniający trawienie, roztwarzający śluz w plwocinach, wiatropędny i mlekopędny. Używano w leczeniu osłabienia żołądka i jelit, w zapobieganiu kolek, przy wzdęciach i nieżytach przewodu pokarmowego.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański gives a traditional recipe for an infusion made from 2 g of crushed fennel fruits per 200 ml of boiling water.
„Fennel infusion – Infusum Fructi Foeniculi: 2 g of crushed fennel fruits per 200 ml of boiling water; steep covered for 20 minutes, then strain; take a small portion of the infusion orally every 3 hours. It can be infused in milk and sweetened with honey.
Powdered fennel fruits – Pulvis Fructi Foeniculi: 0.5 g 3 times a day, freshly ground before taking.”Napar koperkowy – Infusum Fructi Foeniculi 2 g rozdrobnionych owoców kopru/200 ml wrzącej wody; parzyć 20 minut pod przykryciem, przecedzić; doustnie co 3 godziny mała porcja naparu. Można naparzać w mleku i słodzić miodem.
Sproszkowane owoce kopru – Pulvis Fructi Foeniculi: 0,5 g 3 razy dziennie, świeżo zmielone przez zażyciem.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 5.
In a survey, 82% of respondents considered fennel infusion moderately or very effective for abdominal pain.
Aim of the study: Patients frequently visit their primary care physician (PCP) for digestive symptoms. We aimed to compile a list of non-pharmacological home remedies (NPHRs) that patients frequently use and find effective so that PCPs can then propose them to their patients with various digestive symptoms.
Results: A total of 1,012 patients agreed to participate in the study (participation rate = 84.5%, median age = 52 years, women = 61%). The two most frequently used NPHRs were rice cooking water for diarrhoea (29% of patients) and prunes for constipation (22%). The perceived effectiveness of the NPHRs ranged from 82% (fennel infusions for abdominal pain) to 95% (bicarbonate for stomach pain). Our data could be useful to PCPs interested in proposing NPHRs to their patients suffering from digestive disorders, and more generally to all PCPs interested in learning more about patients' use of NPHRs in primary care.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Faculty of Medicine of the universities of Geneva, Lyon and Grenoble
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants1 012
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In the study, a multi-ingredient product containing fennel oil reduced bloating, but the effect cannot be attributed to fennel alone.
Aim of the study: Introduction Long-term use of laxatives may have side effects such as bloating, allergic reaction, abdominal pain, metabolic disturbances, and hepatotoxicity. In this study, we have compared the efficacy of herbal medicine Nucarb, a combination of activated charcoal, calcium sennosides, peppermint oil, fennel oil, rhubarb extract, and purified sulfur, in relieving constipation.
Results: After 14 days, the severity of constipation reduced by 80.70%, the sensation of straining was reduced by 72.69%, and the feeling of incomplete evacuation was reduced by 71.87%. There was no adverse event reported. Conclusion Nucarb is efficacious in reducing the severity of constipation, sensation of straining, bloating and abdominal pain, feeling of incomplete evacuation, and difficulty in passing gas. Since it is a herbal product, it can be safely used in all populations.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyclinical study in people
Participants1 000
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
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