Evidence supporting the use of: Fennel
For the health condition: Afterbirth Pain

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, especially in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian cultures, for a variety of women’s health conditions, including the management of postpartum (afterbirth) pain. The historical use of fennel for afterbirth pain is largely rooted in its reputed antispasmodic and carminative properties. Traditional midwifery texts and folk medicine often recommend fennel seeds or extracts to new mothers, suggesting that fennel helps ease uterine contractions and abdominal discomfort experienced after childbirth. Fennel is thought to exert a mild muscle-relaxing effect, possibly due to volatile oils such as anethole, which may reduce spasms in smooth muscle tissue, including the uterus.

However, direct clinical evidence supporting fennel specifically for afterbirth pain is limited. Most scientific research on fennel relates to its role in reducing menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) or infant colic, rather than postpartum uterine pain. Some small studies have indicated that fennel has a general analgesic and antispasmodic effect, but high-quality trials targeting afterbirth pain are lacking. Therefore, while the use of fennel for afterbirth pain is justified by tradition and some plausible mechanisms, robust scientific validation is currently insufficient. Caution is also advised in postpartum use due to potential effects on infants if the mother is breastfeeding.

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