---
title: "Fennel or Aniseed? | Herbadex"
description: "Both are anethole-containing seeds used for wind and cough. Age limits, duration of use and breastfeeding warnings of fennel and aniseed side by side."
language: en
url: https://herbadex.com/en/compare/fennel-vs-aniseed/
source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com)
---

Comparisons

# Fennel or Aniseed?

Fennel and aniseed are two similar-tasting seeds from the same family, with similar uses in their EMA assessments. The differences lie mostly in age limits and the details of their uses.

| Aspect | Fennel Foeniculum vulgare | Anise Pimpinella anisum |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Strongest evidence | T Traditional use | T Traditional use |
| Needs | Digestion, Women’s Health, Respiratory, Throat & Mouth | Digestion, Respiratory, Throat & Mouth |
| Form | Seed | Seed |
| How to use | Steep 1.5 g of crushed fennel seed in 250 ml of boiling water for 15 minutes. | Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1–3.5 g of whole or freshly crushed aniseed. |
| Pregnancy | Avoid | Avoid |
| Breastfeeding | Avoid | Avoid |
| Recommended minimum age | From age 4 | From age 12 |
| Drug interactions | No recorded interactions | No recorded interactions |
| Duration limit | Max 2 weeks | Max 2 weeks |

## Which one, when?

### Fennel

Traditionally used for bloating and wind, minor period cramps and cough with a cold. Can be used from age 4.

[Full card →](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/fennel/)

### Anise

Traditionally used for bloating and wind and cough with a cold. Not recommended under 12.

[Full card →](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/anise/)

## Good to know

-   Both are used for at most 2 weeks.
-   The anethole in both passes into breast milk; the EMA recommends neither while breastfeeding.
-   People allergic to the carrot family (caraway, celery, coriander, dill) should use neither.

## Sources

1.  [European Union herbal monograph on Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. vulgare, fructus – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-foeniculum-vulgare-miller-subsp-vulgare-var-vulgare-fructus-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2024
2.  [Community herbal monograph on Pimpinella anisum L., fructus](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-pimpinella-anisum-l-fructus_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2013

This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.