# Fennel

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/fennel/

> Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a plant drug, also called Misreya and Saumpha. trans-Anethole has good oral bioavailability (>50%) with rapid GI absorption. It is metabolized by CYP enzymes to 4-methoxybenzoic acid. Estragole (minor component, 1-5%) has regulatory attention due to genotoxicity concerns in isolated form.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Foeniculum vulgare
- **Family:** Apiaceae

## Names in the Indian languages

Every name form this project holds for this drug, with the script form first and the
transliteration after it. Sources per name are on the canonical page.

| Language | Names |
| --- | --- |
| Sanskrit | मिश्रेया (miśreyā) |
| Hindi | सौंफ (sauṃpha) |
| Tamil | சோம்பு |

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Fennel |

## What is it made of?

*The marker compounds are listed under Dosage forms and preparation, below.*

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Essential oil, Capsule (oil or extract), Tablet, Gripe water (infant formulation), Tea/infusion, Tincture, [Arka](/herb/arka/) (distillate)

**Standard Dosage:** Essential oil: 0.2 mL daily, as a single dose or in divided doses (EMEA/HMPC Community herbal monograph on bitter fennel fruit oil, 2007); seed: 1-4g as tea/infusion 2-3 times daily; tincture: 2-5ml three times daily; gripe water: as directed for infants

**Optimal Timing:** After meals for digestive support; fennel tea throughout the day as a gentle carminative; gripe water for infants after feeding

**Storage:** Whole seeds: airtight containers at room temperature. Essential oil: amber glass above 25 deg C (to prevent crystallization) in sealed containers. Ground seeds: nitrogen-flushed, sealed containers, use promptly. Protect from light.

**Marker Compounds:** trans-Anethole, Fenchone, Estragole (methylchavicol) - monitored for safety, [Limonene](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#limonene), Alpha-pinene, Rosmarinic acid, [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)-3-glucuronide

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Jeeraka](/herb/jeeraka/) ([cumin](/herb/cumin/)) and [Dhanyaka](/herb/dhanyaka/) ([coriander](/herb/coriander/)) for digestive triad
- With Mishri (sugar candy) as traditional mouth freshener and digestive
- With Sunthi for enhanced carminative action
- With [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) for gastric soothing
- With [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) for [galactagogue](/glossary/pharmacology/#galactagogue) (lactation support) combination

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/fennel/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.