FENNEL FOR BABY COLIC
Many different plants have been
used to relieve symptoms of infant
colic, including catmint (Nepeta cataria),
chamomille (Matricaria chamomilla), dill (Anethum
graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), lemon
balm (Melissa officinalis), and others. Among these
plants, fennel is the most frequently recommended by
specialists. All of these plants
are rich in volatile oils, and their beneficial effects
are attributed to volatile oils. The highest concentration
of the fennel oil, ranging from 2 to 7%, is found in the
seeds. Fennel volatile oil is a mixture of at least a
dozen of different chemicals. The main ingredients of
fennel seed oil are: anethole, 40 to 70%; fenchone, 10 to
30%; and estragole, 2 to 9%. Other components are present
in concentrations usually less than 1%. Animal experiments
have shown that fennel oil regulates contractility of the
small intestine (36, 37, 38). Anethole has a chemical
structure similar to a chemical that is naturally present
in the body, called dopamine. Dopamine is known to have a
relaxing effect on the intestine, and perhaps, explains
why fennel has a beneficial effect on baby colic.
Fennel has a long documented history of use, dating to
an ancient Egypt. Even today, many lactating mothers in
Asian countries routinely take fennel.
Preparations of fennel seed available on the market
today exist as either teas or extracts, and contain
variable and unpredictable concentrations of the volatile
oil. This variability in oil concentration results from
many factors, including soil and climate of the growing
region, harvesting methods, manufacturing, and storage
conditions. The inconsistency in the concentration of oil
makes it difficult to obtain an effective, predictable and
reproducible response. That explains why until recently
there has only been one clinical study supporting the use
of herbs, including fennel for infantile colic (47).
SAFETY OF FENNEL
Fennel has the remarkable qualities of being both
effective and very safe. No acute or chronic toxic
reactions to fennel, or to fennel products in humans have
ever been reported. Laboratory animals given 3000
milligrams of fennel extract per kilogram of weight showed
no sign of toxicity (39). Likewise, fennel seed oil tested
in animal experiments has been found to be non-toxic at
doses significantly higher, than those used in humans. For
example, animals fed a diet containing 1% of anethole, the
main component of fennel seed oil, had no toxic effects
(40). The recommended daily amount of fennel seed oil for
an average colicky 1 month old, who weighs approximately 4
kilograms (9 lbs.), would be 20 to 40 milligrams. Such an
infant consumes approximately 600 gram (20 oz) of formula,
or milk per day. Therefore, 20 to 40 mg. of fennel seed
oil given to an infant daily would be equal to 0.0035 to
0.007% of the total daily food consumption, which is 140
to 280 times less, than in a study quoted.
Besides its antispasmodic qualities, fennel seed oil
has antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, probably
attributed to anethole, which itself has been shown to
have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and also
anticarcinogenic effects (41, 42, 43).
Even though fennel is mentioned as an allergen, the
allerginicity of fennel is extremely low, probably much
lower than of milk, soy or eggs. In fact, since 1948 there
were only two reports of allergic reaction to fennel plant
in the English literature (44, 45). However, all
statements of experts regarding the allerginicity of
fennel are based on these two reports. It has been shown
that fennel allergy is caused by pollen (46), which is
always present in unprocessed seeds. Fennel seed oil,
which is produced by distillation of fennel seeds, has no
pollen particles in it, and therefore, cannot produce
allergic reactions.
Undiluted, or 100% fennel seed oil applied to the skin
for a long period of time can produce local irritation.
However, diluted fennel seed oil is not irritating. In an
experiment on human volunteers, application of 4% oil did
not produce any reactions.
The Council of Europe included fennel in the list of
spices and seasonings in 1973. Fennel seed oil has been on
the FDA's GRAS (Generally Recommended As Safe) list of
flavoring substances in the United States since 1970's.
To summarize: fennel is an
ideal herbal remedy for colic relief. Fennel is the active ingredient in PediaCalm.
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