Are Fennel Seeds Good For Kidney Health?

Fennel is a vegetable with a licorice-like flavor. It contains potassium, magnesium, and other nutrients with an antioxidant effect. The benefits of fennel may include supporting digestion and preventing skin damage. In a 2017 study published in the Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, data showed that female rats treated with fennel seeds exhibited a reduction in the formation of kidney stones in comparison to a control group. From their findings, researchers concluded that fennel seed was effective in both the prevention and the treatment of kidney stones. Furthermore, a 2015 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported that participants inhaling the scent of fennel oil experienced temporary improvement in kidney function.

While earlier studies stated that fennel could be beneficial for kidney health, other studies have contradicting evidence.

Fennel Seeds Lead To Necrosis In Rats

In the Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Biological Sciences, it was found that while male rats given fennel seed orally for 10 and 20 days showed little difference in kidney weight and function, rats given fennel for 30 days experienced degeneration and necrosis (death of body tissue) of the kidney cells. This led researchers to conclude that the variation in results might be related to the dose of fennel administered, as well as the amount of time the rats were subjected to treatment.

Fennel Also Has High Phosphorus

So, research has indicated that as kidney functions decline, the amount of phosphorus in the blood might increase. This can lead to various symptoms like itchy skin. For this reason, some people with kidney disease may need to limit phosphorus in their diets. Nutrition Data reports that one bulb of fennel contains 117 milligrams of phosphorus, or 12% of the recommended daily value of phosphorus for a healthy person.

The impact of fennel seeds or oil varies from individual to individual. Check with your doctor first to make sure it is a good fit for you.