Fennel Seed Extract (Foeniculum Vulgare)

Benefits of Fennel Seed

  • Digestive tract
  • Digestion
  • Where it's from: Mediterranean
  • Form: Extract
  • Food source: Fennel Seed
Fennel Seed Extract (Foeniculum Vulgare)

What is Fennel Seed?

Fennel is a popular culinary plant that is part of the carrot family. The seeds are strong in flavour thanks to the essential oils within them, and they're used as a dry spice in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking. Beyond flavour, the seeds contain a range of plant compounds, which has made them a subject of research.

What does the research say about Fennel Seed?

Fennel seeds have been studied mostly for their role in digestion and normal digestive processes. A fennel seed extract has been studied for its effect on the intestinal barrier and digestive tract function, and fennel oil has been studied alongside other botanicals in a formulation looking at bowel habits.

Fennel has been described as having a 'spasmolytic' effect. 'Spasmolytic' means it relaxes the smooth muscle that lines the digestive tract.

Fennel seeds also contain polyphenols with antioxidant activity, including 'rosmarinic acid' and 'chlorogenic acid'.

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