Fennel Herb
Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel Herb (Foeniculum vulgare) is a plant drug, also called Madhurika and Saumpha. Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides from herb have moderate bioavailability (15-25%). Volatile oil components (anethole, fenchone) present at lower levels than seed products.
| Botanical name | Foeniculum vulgare |
|---|---|
| Family | Apiaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Apiales |
| Also known as | Fennel Herb, FennelHerb |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3034922 · Wikidata Q43511 · NCBI Taxonomy 2849586 |
| Sanskrit | मधुरिका (madhurikā) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | सौंफ (sauṃpha) |
| Tamil | சோம்பு |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I Vol I, monograph 55 MIŚREYĀ (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), Hindi: Saunf.; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I Vol I, monograph 55 MIŚREYĀ, Sanskrit: Miśi, Miṣi, Madhurikā; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I Vol I, monograph 55 MIŚREYĀ, Tamil: Shombu; Winslow s.v. பெருஞ்சீரகம் cross-refers to சோம்பு. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2006 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.
- 2Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 8Other clinical studies and reviews
- 2Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Fennel Herb |
What is it made of?
The marker compounds are listed under Dosage forms and preparation, below.
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Fresh herb (culinary), Dried herb powder, Infusion/tea, Capsule, Tincture (1:5 in 45% ethanol)
Standard Dosage: Fresh herb: 5-15g in salads/cooking; Dried herb: 2-4g as infusion 2-3 times daily; 500mg dried extract capsule twice daily; 2-5ml tincture three times daily
Optimal Timing: Infusion: after meals for digestive comfort; fresh herb consumed with meals for culinary and digestive benefit
Storage: Fresh herb: refrigerate in perforated bags. Dried herb: airtight, light-resistant containers below 25 deg C. Protect from moisture and UV light to preserve green color and volatile content.
Marker Compounds: Quercetin, Kaempferol, Chlorogenic acid, trans-Anethole (lower levels than seed), Fenchone, Rutin
Synergistic Combinations
- With Dill herb for carminative synergy
- With Mint for digestive tea blends
- With Chamomile for calming digestive combination
- With Ajwain for enhanced carminative and anti-flatulent action
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2
- 2022. Native Iranian Medicinal Plants with Anti-Vaginal Infection Properties: A Systematic ReviewInfectious disorders drug targets. PMID 35490427 · doi:10.2174/1871526522666220501171551
- 2021. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) for the management of menopausal women's health: A systematic review and meta-analysisComplementary therapies in clinical practice. PMID 33725577 · doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101360
Other clinical studies and reviews8
- 2025. Advanced techniques and applications in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) breedingMolecular genetics and genomics : MGG. PMID 40892151 · doi:10.1007/s00438-025-02294-y
- 2025. Cardiovascular Effects, Phytochemistry, Drug Interactions, and Safety Profile of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Fennel): A Comprehensive ReviewPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 41305003 · doi:10.3390/ph18111761
- 2024. Exploring fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Composition, functional properties, potential health benefits, and safetyCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 36803269 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2023.2176817
- 2024. The Mediterranean Species Calendula officinalis and Foeniculum vulgare as Valuable Source of Bioactive CompoundsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39124999 · doi:10.3390/molecules29153594
- 2019. Foeniculum vulgare as Valuable Plant in Management of Women's HealthJournal of menopausal medicine. PMID 31080784 · doi:10.6118/jmm.2019.25.1.1
- 2015. Anti-Aging Potential of Phytoextract Loaded-Pharmaceutical Creams for Human Skin Cell LongetivityOxidative medicine and cellular longevity. PMID 26448818 · doi:10.1155/2015/709628
- 2014. Foeniculum vulgare Mill: a review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, contemporary application, and toxicologyBioMed research international. PMID 25162032 · doi:10.1155/2014/842674
- 2006. Fennel PMID 30000852
Laboratory and animal studies2
- 2024. Foeniculum vulgare Miller bracts, revalorization of a local food wasteScientific reports. PMID 39732951 · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-82779-9
- 2022. Chemical and Genetic Variability of Istrian Foeniculum vulgare Wild PopulationsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36079624 · doi:10.3390/plants11172239
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
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