fennel extract

Fennel extract is derived from the plant *Foeniculum vulgare* and is used in traditional and alternative medicines, commonly as an herbal or dietary supplement. It demonstrates diverse potential pharmacological effects, including **antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, oestrogenic, anxiolytic, cytoprotective, hepatoprotective, antiulcerogenic, anticarcinogenic, memory-enhancing, hypoglycaemic, oculohypotensive, and antihirsutism effects**. These activities are due to its phytochemical content (notably anethole, fenchone, estragole, among others)[5]. Mechanistically, fennel extract's actions include **phytoestrogenic activity** (mimicking estrogenic effects), **modulation of gastrointestinal motility**, and **antioxidant defense**. Fennel extract is used as a herbal remedy for symptoms such as colic in infants, mild gastrointestinal discomfort (bloating, flatulence), menstrual cramps, cough, and indigestion; topical preparations have been studied for hirsutism and anti-aging effects[1][3][5]. It is not FDA-approved as a pharmaceutical drug, and there is notable variability in composition, efficacy, and safety between products.

Other names

fennelFoeniculum vulgare extractsweet fennel extractAnethum FoeniculumBari-SanufCarosellaFenouilFinnochioFoeniculi AntheroleumFoeniculumHinojoHuile de FenouilPhytoestrogenSanufShatapusphaXiao Hui Xiang