Fennel: A Natural Way to Increase Fertility in Women

For those individuals who love a strong taste or are a fan of black licorice, fennel is undoubtedly a favorite seasoning, but the benefits go beyond its anise flavor index. In fact, fennel is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat various health problems. In addition to its benefits when it comes to digestion and weight management support, it is believed that the chemicals in fennel can also help improve fertility and reproductive health.

The Nutrient Benefits Within Fennel

This bulb-like looking vegetable can be found in a variety of forms, from its full vegetable form to dried herbs leaves, seeds or infused oil.

For women, the health benefits of fennel are primarily tied to its oil. A study, published in the “Journal of Menopausal Medicine”, reviewed the benefits of fennel oil specifically when used to manage painful menstruation, premenstrual syndrome, missing periods, menopause, lactation, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and found that in some cases, symptoms and severity of conditions improved.

When it comes to nutritional value, fennel is a great source of vitamins and minerals including potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B. It also contains two types of phytonutrients called anethole and fenchone. These chemicals and nutrients, when looked at individually, all play a crucial role in the herb’s fertility-enhancing effects.

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  Potassium: Potassium is an important mineral for overall health, including reproductive health. It helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance and promotes nerve and muscle function. A study published in the journal “Food and Chemical Toxicology” also found that potassium supplementation improved reproductive function in female mice.

• Magnesium: Another important mineral for fertility is magnesium, by helping maintain healthy hormone levels and supporting women’s uterine health. Magnesium also plays a role in energy production and protein synthesis.
• Calcium: Known as an essential nutrient for strong bones and teeth, calcium is also necessary for a healthy pregnancy once conception takes place by helping to regulate uterus contractions, which can be helpful during labor.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, plays a vital role in producing progesterone and estrogen. It is also responsible for the healthy development of blood vessels, essential to nourish an embryo as it grows into a baby during pregnancy.
• Vitamin A: This vitamin helps with fetal growth and supports immune function. It is important to get enough vitamin A when trying to conceive because it helps protect against congenital disabilities such as cleft lip or palate that can occur if not enough nutrients are present before conception occurs (prenatally). In addition, some studies show that higher intakes of folic acid may reduce risks related to neural tube defects like spina bifida by up to 70 percent.
• Vitamin B6: B vitamins all have their role in fertility health, but vitamin B-six in particular plays a vital role in producing progesterone and estrogen. It is also responsible for the healthy development of blood vessels, essential to nourish an embryo as it grows into a baby during pregnancy.
• Zinc: Zinc helps regulate hormonal functions that balance and regulate ovulation. Studies show that zinc is a critical component in processes that regulate female germ cell growth, fertility, and pregnancy and is necessary for the oocyte to form a fertilization-competent egg.
• Anethole: Estrogen is a hormone that is important for reproduction and fertility, and anethole has been shown to have estrogenic effects that play a dominant role in regulating the female reproductive cycle.
• Fenchone: Inflammation can interfere with reproductive health and ovulation. Fenchone’s anti-inflammatory properties allow women to have a higher chance for conception and successful pregnancy.

Using Fennel for Fertility

There are a few different ways to use fennel to improve fertility health. One way is to drink it as a tea. You can buy fennel seeds or tea bags containing the herb at most health food or grocery stores or online. Like many herbs, there are also supplemental options if a specialist or doctor recommends.

Fennel can most easily be incorporated into recipes. Try adding it to soups, salads, or yogurt treats. Some people also incorporate the seeds into a smoothie or protein bowl or herbal blend for daily consumption.

Finally, you can also add fennel essential oil to your bath water or massage it into the skin with a carrier oil such as coconut oil. Always remember to test for skin allergies and sensitivities before using the fennel essential oil.

Due to the estrogenic properties of fennel, it is advised to seek input on dosage and use recommendations from a doctor or holistic specialist prior to incorporating this item into a fertility, preconception or prenatal diet.