Herbs and plantsFennel tea for babies — a safe way to treat colic?
- Henryk Różański — Owoc kopru – Fructus Foeniculi i olejek koperkowy – Oleum Foeniculi w medycynie
- Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA) — Owoc kopru włoskiego (odmiana słodka) — streszczenie EMA dla pacjentów
- Infant Colic-What works: A Systematic Review of Interventions for Breast-fed Infants. · J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2016
- The effect of fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) seed oil emulsion in infantile colic: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. · Altern Ther Health Med 2003
- A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a standardized extract of Matricariae recutita, Foeniculum vulgare and Melissa officinalis (ColiMil) in the treatment of breastfed colicky infants. · Phytother Res 2005
- Nutritional supplements and other complementary medicines for infantile colic: a systematic review. · Pediatrics 2011
- An overview of systematic reviews of complementary and alternative therapies for infantile colic. · Syst Rev 2019
Henryk Różański cites Rudolf Franck’s recommendation: 0.2–2 g of fennel fruit several times a day, or an infusion made from 5–15 g of crushed fruit per 100 ml of boiling water.
- Różański says that in the 19th century, fennel was used, among other things, to prevent colic and ease bloating.
- The European Medicines Agency does not recommend medicines made from sweet fennel fruit for children under 4 because there is not enough information about their safe use in this age group.
- The EMA recommendation applies to medicines made from sweet fennel fruit.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański cites Rudolf Franck’s recommendation, in which he recommended fennel fruit for bloating, even in small children.
The historical recommendation cited gives a dose of 0.2–2 g of fruit several times a day, or an infusion made from 5–15 g of crushed fruit per 100 ml of boiling water.
Henryk Różański says that in the 19th century, fennel fruit was used, among other things, to prevent colic and relieve bloating.
The EMA does not recommend medicines made from sweet fennel fruit for children under 4 because there is not enough information about their safe use in this age group.
The EMA says that medicines made from sweet fennel fruit are usually taken three or four times a day, for no longer than 1–2 weeks.
The EMA lists allergic reactions affecting the skin or respiratory system and advises people allergic to sweet fennel against using these medicines.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 5 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: 15.
A review suggests that preparations containing fennel oil may shorten crying time in infants with colic, although the authors note that the evidence has limitations.
Aim of the study: To determine the strength of evidence for commonly used interventions for colic in breast-fed and mixed-fed infants younger than 6 months.
Results: A total of 17 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. The 6 studies included for subgroup meta-analysis on probiotic treatment, notably Lactobacillus reuteri, showed that probiotics appear to be an effective treatment, with an overall mean difference in crying time at day 21 of -55.8 min/day (95% CI -64.4 to -47.3, P = 0.001). The 3 studies included for subgroup meta-analysis on preparations containing fennel suggest that they are effective, with an overall mean difference of -72.1 min/day (95% CI -126.4 to -17.7, P < 0.001). Probiotics, in particular L reuteri, and preparations containing fennel oil appear effective for reducing colic, although these findings have limitations. The evidence for maternal dietary changes, lactase, sucrose, glucose, and simethicone is weak. Further well-designed clinical trials are needed to strengthen the evidence for all of these interventions.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In the study, fennel seed oil emulsion resolved colic in a greater proportion of infants than placebo.
Aim of the study: Despite its benign, natural course, colic is a significant problem in infants and imparts a psychological, emotional, and physical burden to parents. Dicyclomine hydrochloride is the only pharmacological treatment for infantile colic that has been consistently effective. Unfortunately, 5% of infants treated with dicyclomine hydrochloride develop serious side effects, including death.
Results: The use of fennel oil emulsion eliminated colic, according to the Wessel criteria, in 65% (40/62) of infants in the treatment group, which was significantly better than 23.7% (14/59) of infants in the control group (P < 0.01). There was a significant improvement of colic in the treatment group compared with the control group [Absolute Risk Reduction (ARR) = 41% (95% CI 25 to 57), Number Needed to Treat (NNT) = 2 (95% CI 2 to 4)]. Side effects were not reported for infants in either group during the trial. Our study suggests that fennel seed oil emulsion is superior to placebo in decreasing intensity of infantile colic.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A preparation containing fennel, chamomile and lemon balm was associated with a greater reduction in crying time in infants than placebo.
Aim of the study: The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to investigate the effectiveness and side effects of a phytotherapeutic agent with Matricariae recutita, Foeniculum vulgare and Melissa officinalis in the treatment of infantile colic.
Results: 88 infants completed the trial: 41 in the PA group and 47 in the control. The daily average crying time for the PA was 201.2 min/day (SD 18.3) at the baseline and 76.9 min/day (SD 23.5) at the end of the study; for the placebo it was 198.7 min/day (SD 16.9) and 169.9 min/day (SD 23.1) (p < 0.005). Crying time reduction was observed in 85.4% subjects for the PA and in 48.9% subjects for the placebo (p < 0.005). No side effects were reported. The present study shows that colic in breastfed infant improves within 1 week of treatment with an extract based on Matricariae recutita, Foeniculum vulgare and Melissa officinalis.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review points to encouraging results from studies of fennel extract and herbal mixtures, but highlights their limitations.
Aim of the study: Complementary and alternative medicines often are advocated for infantile colic, yet there has been no synthesis of the evidence to inform current practice about their use. To critically evaluate all randomized clinical trials of nutritional supplements and other complementary and alternative medicines as a treatment for infantile colic.
Results: Fifteen randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria and were included. Thirteen studies were placebo controlled. Eight were of good methodological quality. Eleven trials indicated a significant result in favor of complementary and alternative medicines. However, none of these randomized clinical trials were without flaws. Independent replications were missing for most modalities. Some encouraging results exist for fennel extract, mixed herbal tea, and sugar solutions, although it has to be stressed that all trials have major limitations. Thus, the notion that any form of complementary and alternative medicine is effective for infantile colic currently is not supported from the evidence from the included randomized clinical trials. Additional replications are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review suggests that fennel extract may ease colic symptoms, although some concerns about the evidence remain.
Aim of the study: Infantile colic is a distressing condition characterised by excessive crying in the first few months of life. The aim of this research was to update the synthesis of evidence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research literature on infantile colic and establish what evidence is currently available.
Results: Sixteen systematic reviews were identified. Probiotics, fennel extract and spinal manipulation show promise in alleviating colic symptoms, although some concerns remain. Acupuncture and soy are currently not recommended. The majority of the reviews were assessed as having a high or unclear risk of bias and low confidence in the findings. There is clearly a need for larger and more methodologically sound RCTs on the effectiveness of some CAM therapies for IC. Particular focus on probiotics in non-breastfed infants is pertinent.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
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