Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) for the management of menopausal women's health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hye Won Lee, Lin Ang, Eunseop Kim, Myeong Soo Lee

Journal: Complementary therapies in clinical practice 2021;43():101360

PMID: 33725577

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Abstract

This review aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the effectiveness and safety of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) for managing menopausal women's health. Fourteen databases were searched. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated any type of fennel treatment in menopausal women. Seven RCTs that met our inclusion criteria were identified and analyzed. The included RCTs had concerning risks of bias in general. Two RCTs compared the effects of fennel with placebo, and the meta-analysis results favored fennel for improving menopausal symptoms (n = 145, standard mean difference -1.32 [-1.76, -0.87], p < 0.00001). Other studies failed to show beneficial effects of fennel in terms of sexual function, quality of life (QoL), and psychological health. No serious adverse events were reported. Our review presented evidence for fennel improving menopausal symptoms. However, the effectiveness and safety of fennel in improving QoL, and psychological health remains unclear.

Address: Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: [email protected].; Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Faculty of Korean Convergence Medicine, Korea University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: [email protected].; You & Green Korean Medical Clinic, Daejeon, South Korea. Electronic address: [email protected].; Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Faculty of Korean Convergence Medicine, Korea University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101360

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MeSH Terms: Female, Foeniculum, Humans, Menopause, Phytotherapy, Quality of Life, Women's Health