Women over the age of 45 years experience menopause, which can lead to symptoms like hot flashes and anxiety. Fennel can treat such symptoms, finds a study.
- Fennel, a commonly used kitchen ingredient may treat post-menopausal symptoms, finds a new study.
- Post-menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleeplessness and anxiety.
Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for managing menopause symptoms. But most of the women have opted for alternative medicine due to the side effects of hormone therapy.
How Does Fennel Treat Postmenopausal Symptoms?
Fennel contains essential oils and has phytoestrogenic properties. Phytoestrogens ate estrogen-like chemicals found in plants that have been effectively used to treat menopause symptoms.
The research team conducted a small experimental study on 79 Iranian women aged 45 to 60 years. The participants were supplemented two soft capsules containing 100 mg of fennel for eight weeks. The control group received a placebo.
The findings of the study were compared with the control groups at four, eight and 10 weeks. The research team found a significant statistical difference between the groups.
The study titled "Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial" is one of the first clinical studies to examine the benefits of fennel for managing post-menopause symptoms.
"This small pilot study found that, on the basis of a menopause rating scale, twice-daily consumption of fennel as a phytoestrogen improved menopause symptoms compared with an unusual minimal effect of placebo," said, Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, executive director of NAMS.
"A larger, longer, randomized study is still needed to help determine its long-term benefits and side effect profile," added Pinkerton.
Source-Medindia