Herb of The Week - Fennel - Oil

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Fennel oil

 

Latin Name: Foeniculum vulgare

Pharmacopeial Name: Foeniculi aetheroleum

Other Names: bitter fennel oil

 

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Overview

 

Fennel is a tall perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region, now

widely cultivated as an annual or perennial in Bulgaria, Romania,

Hungary, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Germany, Egypt, India, and China

(Bruneton, 1995; Grieve, 1979; Leung and Foster, 1996; Wichtl and

Bisset, 1994). Fennel is one of Germany's more important medicinal plant

crops (Lange and Schippmann, 1997). The material of commerce comes

mainly from Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Egypt, and China (BHP, 1996;

Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

 

Its modern therapeutic uses in Germany and the United States stem from

traditional Greek medicine as practiced by Hippocrates and later by

Dioscorides. It is still widely used in traditional Arabian medicine as

a diuretic, appetizer, and digestive (Tanira et al., 1996). Its original

Greek genus name was Marathron, from maraino, meaning to grow thin. Its

current genus name, Foeniculum, was assigned by the Romans, derived from

the Latin word foenum, meaning hay (Grieve, 1979). Fennel's therapeutic

uses have been introduced and integrated into many other systems of

traditional medicine, including Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Japanese Kampo.

For example, the present Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia recommends it in dried

fruit or fluidextract form, for flatulent dyspepsia, anorexia, and

flatulent colic in children (Karnick, 1994). Its indications for use in

the present Chinese pharmacopoeia include for distending pain in the

epigastrium with anorexia, dysmenorrhea with lower abdominal pain and

cold sensation, vomiting, and diarrhea (Tu, 1992).

 

The modern therapeutic applications for fennel seed and oil are

supportable based on their history of use in well established systems of

traditional medicine, phytochemical investigations, and in vitro and in

vivo studies in animals.

 

In Germany, fennel seed is licensed as a standard medicinal tea for

dyspepsia. It is also used in cough syrups and honeys (antitussives and

expectorants), and stomach and bowel remedies, especially in pediatrics,

as aqueous infusion, water (Aqua Foeniculi), dragÈe (lozenge), juice,

and syrup. It is often used in combination with aniseed (Leung and

Foster, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). In the United States, it is also

used as a component of galactagogue preparations. Indications for use of

fennel oil are similar to those for fennel seed. In Germany and the

United States, fennel oil is used as an expectorant component of cough

remedies, and also as a carminative component of stomach and bowel

remedies in dosage forms including honey and syrup. Traditionally, it is

combined with laxative or purgative herbs to counteract or modify their

harsh griping effects in the bowels (ESCOP, 1997; Leung and Foster,

1996; Nadkarni, 1976; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). The Commission E limits

the use of fennel seed and fennel oil for up to two weeks and then

recommends consulting a physician.

 

Pharmacopeial grade bitter fennel seed must contain not less than 4%

(v/m) total volatile oils, calculated with reference to the anhydrous

drug, as determined by the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph.Eur.3) method

2.8.12. Its volatile oil must be composed of not less than 60% anethole,

not less than 15% fenchone, and maximum 5% estragole, as determined by

Ph.Eur.3 GC method 2.2.28 (DAB 10, 1991; ESCOP, 1997; Ph.Eur.3, 1997).

The Austrian Pharmacopoeia requires not less than 3.5% volatile oil (

AB, 1981–1983).

 

The official fennel oil of the European Pharmacopoeia is derived from

bitter fennel (var. vulgare) as opposed to sweet fennel (var. dulce).

Pharmacopeial grade fennel oil must be composed of not less than 60%

anethole, not less than 15% fenchone, and no more than 5% estragole, as

determined by Ph.Eur.3 GC method 2.2.28 (Ph.Eur.3, 1997). The relative

proportions of its main constituents determine its overall bitterness or

sweetness. Fenchone has a disagreeable bitter taste; anethole is sweet

(Bown, 1995; Grieve, 1979). The relative ratios of these components and

their yields vary somewhat by strain and region. Historically, the

strains yielding oils most suitable for pharmaceutical use have been

Russian, Saxon, Galician, and Romanian (Bown, 1995; Grieve, 1979;

Nadkarni, 1976). As the ratio of its main components determine the

pharmaceutical quality of the oil, long-term studies investigated the

production—the biological and structural regularities of essential oil

accumulation in developing fruits of bitter fennel. In a study of 13

different plant populations, representing three different chemovarieties

(e.g., cv. " Soroks ri " ), the presence and ratio of anethole,

methyl-chavicol, and fenchone were analyzed and found to be stable

throughout nine stages of flowering and fruiting (Bern th et al., 1998).

 

 

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Description

 

Fennel oil is the essential oil obtained from the dried, ripe fruits of

Foeniculum vulgare Miller var. vulgare (Miller) Thellung [Fam. Apiaceae]

by steam distillation and its preparations in effective dosage. Fennel

oil contains anethole, fenchone, and not more than 5% estragole.

 

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Chemistry and Pharmacology

 

Fennel essential oil contains trans-anethole (50–70%), (+)-fenchone

(9–22%), and estragole [methyl chavicol] (2–5%). Other compounds in the

oil include anisaldehyde, camphene, fenchyl alcohol, limonene, p-anisic

acid, 3-carene, p-cymene, a-fenchene, b-myrcene, a-pinene, b-pinene,

a-phellandrene, sabinene, a- and b-terpinene, g-terpinene, terpinolene,

a-thujene, cis- and trans-ocimenes, trans-1,8-terpin (Bruneton, 1995;

ESCOP, 1997; Leung and Foster, 1996; Wichtl and Bissett, 1994).

 

The Commission E reported stimulation of gastrointestinal motility

activity that, in higher concentrations, was antispasmodic.

Experimentally, anethole and fenchone have shown a secretolytic action

on the respiratory tract. In vitro, fennel oil has demonstrated

antimicrobial activity.

 

Volatile oil of fennel seed has demonstrated carminative and stimulant

activities as well as spasmolytic actions on the smooth muscles of

experimental animals (Leung and Foster, 1996). Fennel syrup and fennel

honey reduced spasms induced by acetylcholine and barium chloride in

vitro in isolated guinea pig ileum though weaker than the effects of an

aqueous infusion of bitter fennel seed (ESCOP, 1997).

 

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Uses

 

The Commission E approved the internal use of fennel oil preparations

for peptic discomforts, such as mild, spastic disorders of the

gastrointestinal tract, feeling of fullness, and flatulence; and also

for catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract. Fennel honey was

recommended for catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract in children.

 

ESCOP approves the use of fennel syrup or fennel honey for catarrh of

the upper respiratory tract in children (ESCOP, 1997).

 

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Contraindications

 

Fennel honey: None known.

 

Other preparations: Pregnancy. Not to be used for infants and toddlers.

 

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Side Effects

 

In rare cases, allergic reactions affecting skin and respiratory system.

 

 

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Use During Pregnancy and Lactation

 

No restrictions known for fennel honey. Other fennel oil preparations

not recommended during pregnancy. No restrictions known during

lactation.

 

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Interactions with Other Drugs

 

None known.

 

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Dosage and Administration

 

Unless otherwise prescribed: 0.1–0.6 ml essential oil or equivalent

galenical preparations for internal use.

 

Essential oil: 0.1–0.6 ml.

 

Fennel honey or fennel syrup with 0.5 g fennel oil/kg [=0.5:1000 (w/w)]:

 

 

Adult: 10–20 g.

 

Children 4–10 years: 6–10 g.

 

Children 1–4 years: 3–6 g.

 

Duration of administration: Unless otherwise advised by a physician or

pharmacist, one should not consume fennel oil for an extended period

(several weeks).

 

Note: Fennel syrup, fennel honey: Diabetics must consider sugar content

of bread exchange units according to manufacturer's information.

 

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References

 

Bern th, J. et al. 1998. Production-biological and structural

regularities of essential oil accumulation in developing fruits of

fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Budapest: UHFI Department of

Medicinal Plant Production.

 

Bown, D. 1995. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: DK

Publishing, Inc. 283–284.

 

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP). 1996. Exeter, U.K.: British Herbal

Medicine Association.

 

Bruneton, J. 1995. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants.

Paris: Lavoisier Publishing.

 

Deutsches Arzneibuch, 10th ed. (DAB 10). 1991. (With subsequent

supplements through 1996.) Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

 

ESCOP. 1997. " Foeniculi aetheroleum " and " Foeniculi fructus. " Monographs

on the Medicinal Uses of Plant Drugs. Exeter, U.K.: European Scientific

Cooperative on Phytotherapy.

 

Europ‰isches Arzneibuch, 3rd ed. (Ph.Eur.3). 1997. Stuttgart: Deutscher

Apotheker Verlag. 939-941.

 

Grieve, M. 1979. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

 

Karnick, C.R. 1994. Pharmacopoeial Standards of Herbal Plants, Vols.

1–2. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications. Vol. 1:139–141; Vol. 2:71.

 

Lange, D. and U. Schippmann. 1997. Trade Survey of Medicinal Plants in

Germany—A Contribution to International Plant Species Conservation.

Bonn: Bundesamt f r Naturschutz. 32–33.

 

Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural

Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John

Wiley & Sons, Inc.

 

Nadkarni, K.M. 1976. Indian Materia Medica. Bombay: Popular Prakashan.

557–559.

 

Ph.Eur.3. See Europ‰isches Arzneibuch.

 

sterreichisches Arzneibuch, Vols. 1–2, 1st suppl. ( AB). 1981–1983.

Wien: Verlag der sterreichischen Staatsdruckerei.

 

Tanira, M.O.M. et al. 1996. Pharmacological and toxicological

investigations on Foeniculum vulgare dried fruit extract in experimental

animals. Phytother Res 10:33–36.

 

Tu, G. (ed.). 1992. Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China

(English Edition 1992). Beijing: Guangdong Science and Technology Press.

70.

 

Wichtl, M. and N.G. Bisset (eds.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and

Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers.

 

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Additional Resources

 

Betts, T.J. 1968. Anethole and fenchone in the developing fruits of

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. J Pharm Pharmacol 20(6):469–472.

 

Boyd, E.M. and E.P. Sheppard. 1968. The effect of steam inhalation of

volatile oils on the output and composition of respiratory tract fluid.

J Pharmacol Exp Ther 163(1):250–256.

 

———. 1971. An autumn-enhanced mucotropic action of inhaled terpenes and

related volatile agents. Pharmacology 6(2):65–80.

 

Deutsches Arzneibuch, 10th ed. Vol. 1–6. (DAB 10). 1991. Kommentar.

Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH.

 

Food Chemicals Codex, 2nd ed. (FCC II). 1972. Washington, D.C.: National

Academy of Sciences.

 

H‰nsel, R., K. Keller, H. Rimpler, G. Schneider (eds.). 1993. Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5th ed. Vol. 5. Berlin-Heidelberg:

Springer Verlag. 156-181.

 

Kapoor, L.D., A. Singh, S.L. Kapoor, S.N. Srivastava. 1969. Survey of

Indian plants for saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids. Lloydia

32(3):297–304.

 

Kapoor, L.D. 1990. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants. Boca Raton:

CRC Press. 189.

 

List, P.H. and L. Hˆrhammer (eds.). 1973–1979. Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, Vols. 1–7. New York: Springer Verlag.

 

Madaus, G. 1976. Lehrbuch der Biologischen Heilmittel. Vol. 2.

Hildesheim; New York: Georg Olms. 1354–1361.

 

Marsh, A.C. et al. 1977. Composition of Foods, Spices, and Herbs: Raw,

Processed, Prepared. Agriculture Handbook No. 8–2. Washington, D.C.:

Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

Maruzzella, J.C. and M. Freundlich. 1959. Antimicrobial substances from

seeds. J Am Pharm Assoc 48:356–358.

 

Maruzzella J.C. and N.A. Sicurella. 1960. Antibacterial activity of

essential oil vapors. J Am Pharm Assoc 49:692–694.

 

McGuffin, M., C. Hobbs, R. Upton, A. Goldberg. 1997. American Herbal

Product Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

 

PharmacopÈe FranÁaise Xe …dition (Ph.Fr.X.). 1983–1990.

Moulins-les-Metz: Maisonneuve S.A.

 

Ramadan, F.M., R.T. el-Zanfaly, F.A. el-Wakeil, M. Alian. 1972. On the

antibacterial effects of some essential oils. I. Use of agar diffusion

method. Chem Mikrobiol Technol Lebensm 2:51–55.

 

Reynolds, J.E.F. (ed.). 1993. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th

ed. London: The Pharmaceutical Press. 1369–1370.

 

Steinegger, E. and R. H‰nsel. 1992. Pharmakognosie, 5th ed.

Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag.

 

Weiss, R.F. 1991. Lehrbuch der Phytotherapie, 7th ed. Stuttgart:

Hippokrates. 107–108.

 

Yen, K.Y. 1992. The Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica—Crude and

Prepared. Taipei: SMC Publishing, Inc. 133.

 

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Note

 

This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E

Monographs—Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R.

Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister

(eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American

Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications.

 

1) The Overview section is new information.

 

2) Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications,

Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have

been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added

in some or all of these sections, as noted with references.

 

3) The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract,

and tincture) have been provided based on the following example:

 

Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or

whole] [plant part]

 

Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml of water

 

Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml

 

Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml

 

4) The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections.

Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for

research purposes.

 

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Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs

Copyright 2000 American Botanical Council

Published by Integrative Medicine Communications

Available from the American

<http://www.herbalgram.org/browse.php?c=herbal_medicine> Botanical

Council.

 

This material is not intended as a guide to self medication by

consumers. The lay reader is advised to discuss the information

contained herein with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse or other authorized

health care practitioner. Neither the editors nor the publisher accepts

any responsibility for the accuracy of the information itself or the

consequences from the use or misuse of the information contained herein.

 

 

 

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