The after-dinner tea
Fennel seed tea (crushed seeds)
Gentle and traditional. Crushing the seeds releases their oils.
Good for: Gas & bloating
What variations of fennel exist?
A seed long used for gas, bloating, and cramping. It relaxes the muscles of the gut and has a mild licorice-like taste. It comes in 3 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
Every form, in plain words
The after-dinner tea
Fennel seed tea (crushed seeds)
Gentle and traditional. Crushing the seeds releases their oils.
Good for: Gas & bloating
The chew-after-meals one
Whole fennel seeds, chewed after meals
A common food-style habit for gas.
Good for: Gas & bloating
Usually skip
- Too concentrated (Fennel essential oil taken by mouth)Very concentrated and easy to overdo.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Fennel seed tea' on the label (the after-dinner tea)
Watch out for
- Products with concentrated fennel oil rather than seed
Check with your provider first if…
- Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, endometriosis, or fibroids (it contains estrogen-like compounds)
- Pregnancy: food amounts are fine, but avoid concentrated oil and medicinal amounts
- Allergy to celery, carrot, or mugwort
- Taking ciprofloxacin (fennel may reduce its absorption, so separate doses)
- Infants and young children: ask a pediatrician first
In Dr. Lesher's store
One product in Dr. Lesher's dispensary has fennel. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
Dr. Hauschka Skincare
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Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.