Evidence supporting the use of: Fennel
For the health condition: Acid Indigestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) has a long-standing history in traditional medicine systems—including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and European herbalism—for the relief of digestive complaints such as acid indigestion, bloating, and flatulence. Traditionally, fennel seeds are chewed after meals or consumed as an herbal tea to ease discomfort in the digestive tract. The use of fennel for acid indigestion is primarily based on its carminative properties, meaning it is believed to help expel gas from the intestines and soothe the digestive system. In traditional practices, fennel is thought to relax the gastrointestinal muscles, aiding in the passage of food and reducing symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion.
Scientific research on fennel's effectiveness for acid indigestion is limited but does provide some support for its traditional use. Some small clinical studies and laboratory investigations suggest fennel extracts have antispasmodic effects on smooth muscle and may help reduce intestinal cramping and discomfort. However, there is little direct clinical evidence specifically addressing fennel’s impact on acid reflux or indigestion in large, well-controlled trials. Most of the available evidence is anecdotal or comes from studies combining fennel with other herbs, making it difficult to attribute the effects solely to fennel.
In summary, the use of fennel for acid indigestion remains primarily justified by tradition, with some preliminary scientific findings suggesting plausibility, but overall clinical evidence remains modest and not definitive.
Other ingredients used for Acid Indigestion
acid proteaseactivated charcoal
allspice
aloe vera
green chiretta
apple
artichoke
bacillus coagulans
barberry
barley
basil
myrobalan
berberine
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
radish
blackberry
rice
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
calcium
cassia bark
celery
chamomile
chen pi
chloride
cinnamon
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coating
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gentian root
ginger
gooseberry
greek mountain tea
green banana
HCL
horseradish
Indian gum arabic tree
quassia
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lemon
licorice root
lipase
lovage
magnesium
marshmallow
mastic gum
methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
milk
mint
olive
oregano
ox bile
papain
pear
pepsin
phellodendron amurense
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pumpkin
raspberry
rhizome
rosemary
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
triphala
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
wasabia japonica
water
bentonite
squawvine
tangerine
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
fumaria parviflora
swertia
lingusticum wallichii
bile salt
buckthorn
prickly ash
lemongrass
root tuber
flowering quince
sweet flag
zanthoxylum
sodium alginate
caraway
anemarrhena asphodeloides
menthol oil
aster root
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
peach
paw paw
white oak
horehound
herbal blend (proprietary)
Sichuan pepper
alginic acid
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
sea salt
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Acidity regulator
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agrimony
Amomum
Asafoetida
Anserina
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Arrowroot
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Algin
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Buttermilk
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Bicarbonate
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Black galingale
Berberis (unspecified)
Bitter Grass
Bael
Butternut
boldo
black salt
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bassia scoparia
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Cumin
Centaury
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Curry leaf
Cinnamomum
Carqueja
Coriander
Cactus
Cape Aloe
Centaurium erythraea
Citron
Curcuminoid
Carvone
Curcumen
Capers
Colombo
Cubeb
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Clostridium butyricum
Costus
Colocynth
Dragonhead
Dill
Empresstree
English Horsemint
Echinodorus
Enzyme Blend
Emodin
Goldthread
Galangal
Himalayan Salt
Lotus
Mustard
Mallow
Metal Salt
Potato
Potash
Quince
Rose
Rhubarb
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vinegar
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by fennel
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Afterbirth Pain
Amenorrhea
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Belching
Breast Milk (dry up)
Breasts (enhance size)
Breasts (swelling and tenderness)
Bronchitis
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (general)
Cramps (menstrual)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Emotional Sensitivity
Eye Problems
Fatigue
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Nausea and Vomiting
Nursing
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
Rhinitis
Sinus Infection
Tension
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Worry
Products containing fennel
Nature's Sunshine Seasonal Allergy (Formerly ALJ)
Nature's Sunshine ALJ®
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas Formula (With Lobelia)
Nature's Sunshine Catnip & Fennel
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Positive Pack
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Everybody’s Fiber
Nature's Sunshine Gall Bladder Formula
Nature's Sunshine Hi Lipase
Nature's Sunshine Lactase Plus
Nature's Sunshine Liquid Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine LIV-J
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Proactazyme®
Nature's Sunshine Red Beet Root Formula
Nature's Sunshine Respiratory System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Senna Combination
Nature's Sunshine SF
Nature's Sunshine Stress-J
Nature's Sunshine Stress-J (STR-J)