# Mishreya

> Mishreya (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family. Listed in WHO monographs; European Medicines Agency monograph exists for both fruit and essential oil; included in multiple pharmacopoeias (European, British, Indian, US).

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
- **Family:** Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in WHO monographs; European Medicines Agency monograph exists for both fruit and essential oil; included in multiple pharmacopoeias (European, British, Indian, US)

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Mishreya |
| Latin/Botanical | *Foeniculum vulgare Mill.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Trans-anethole (60-90% of essential oil - primary active)
- [Fenchone](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#fenchone)
- Estragole (methyl chavicol)
- Alpha-pinene
- [Limonene](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#limonene)
- Beta-[myrcene](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myrcene)
- P-cymene
- [Camphene](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#camphene)
- [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) ([quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), [kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/))
- Phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid)

## How does it work?

- [Antispasmodic](/glossary/pharmacology/#antispasmodic) and carminative mechanism through trans-anethole blocking calcium channels in GI smooth muscle, reducing intestinal spasm and gas-related pain
- Estrogenic activity mediated by trans-anethole and its polymers (dianethole, photoanethole) acting as weak estrogen receptor agonists, supporting [galactagogue](/glossary/pharmacology/#galactagogue) and menstrual regulation properties
- [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) mechanism through [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/)-mediated reduction of hepatic lipid peroxidation and enhancement of glutathione and catalase enzyme levels

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Carminative and digestive properties extensively validated through clinical and pharmacological studies, confirming premier Ayurvedic use as Deepana-Pachana (appetite and digestion promoter)
- Galactagogue (breast milk promoting) activity supported by clinical evidence showing increased milk production in breastfeeding women, confirming traditional Stanyajanana use
- Antispasmodic activity in infantile colic validated through randomized clinical trials, confirming traditional use for pediatric GI complaints

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Zahi A, Rani A, Aktary N and others 2025. [Cardiovascular Effects, Phytochemistry, Drug Interactions, and Safety Profile of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Fennel): A Comprehensive Review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41305003/). *Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [41305003](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41305003/) · [doi:10.3390/ph18111761](https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18111761)  
  Comprehensive review documenting [fennel](/herb/fennel/)'s cardiovascular effects including [antihypertensive](/glossary/pharmacology/#antihypertensive), [cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/), and vasorelaxant properties, along with detailed drug interaction profiling and safety assessment.
- Badgujar SB, Patel VV, Bandivdekar AH 2014. [Foeniculum vulgare Mill: a review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, contemporary application, and toxicology](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25162032/). *BioMed research international*. PMID [25162032](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25162032/) · [doi:10.1155/2014/842674](https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/842674)  
  Updated comprehensive review documenting antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/), hepatoprotective, [diuretic](/reference/diuretic/), antioxidant, and [anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) activities across traditional medicine systems.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by FDA; however, estragole component has raised genotoxicity concerns - EMA recommends limiting estragole exposure; [fennel](/herb/fennel/) products should be standardized for estragole content
- Phytoestrogenic effects warrant caution in hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, endometriosis); potential interactions with anticoagulants and ciprofloxacin; allergic cross-reactivity possible in patients with celery/carrot/mugwort allergy (celery-birch-mugwort-spice syndrome)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (seed powder), Essential oil, Svarasa/Ark (distillate - Saunf water), Capsules, Tablets, Gripe water component, Syrups, Infusion/Tea

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g seed powder per day; 0.1-0.5 mL essential oil; 10-30 mL Saunf Ark; 250-500 mg extract capsules after meals

**Bioavailability:** Trans-anethole has excellent oral bioavailability (~60-70%) due to high lipophilicity. Rapidly absorbed in upper GI tract. Metabolized hepatically via O-demethylation and omega-oxidation. Fenchone has moderate bioavailability. Essential oil components readily absorbed via inhalation and buccal mucosa. Estragole undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism.

**Optimal Timing:** After meals for digestive and carminative effects; between meals for bloating relief; Saunf Ark can be consumed throughout the day; nursing mothers: between feedings for galactagogue effect

**Standardized Extract:** Essential oil (BP/EP grade) with minimum 80% trans-anethole and maximum 5% estragole. Aqueous distillate (Saunf Ark) with 0.01-0.05% dissolved volatiles. Standardized seed extract (5:1) with minimum 3% anethole. De-estragole processed oil for safety-conscious markets.

**Shelf Life:** Whole seeds: 24 months. Ground powder: 12 months (volatile loss). Essential oil: 36 months sealed. Saunf Ark: 12 months. Capsules: 24 months.

**Storage:** Whole seeds in airtight containers at room temperature. Ground powder nitrogen-flushed in foil pouches. Essential oil in amber glass, tightly sealed, below 25 deg C. Saunf Ark refrigerate after opening.

**Marker Compounds:** Trans-anethole, Fenchone, Estragole (controlled), Alpha-pinene, Limonene, Methyl chavicol, Anisaldehyde

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 2-6%)
- Hydrodistillation for Saunf Ark
- Aqueous infusion
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50% ethanol)
- Supercritical CO2 extraction
- Cold pressing of seeds

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Ajwain](/herb/ajwain/) (digestive carminative combination)
- Sunthi/[Ginger](/herb/ginger/) (anti-nausea and digestive)
- Jeera/[Cumin](/herb/cumin/) (digestive trio with Ajwain)
- Shatapushpa/Dill (galactagogue synergy)
- [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) (antacid and demulcent)
- [Pudina](/herb/pudina/)/Mint (cooling digestive)

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

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- 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.