A team of researchers from Tarim University in China has expanded the list of uses for aromatic fennel: not only is it a great digestive aid, but fennel seed essential oil also seems to have an antifungal effect, opening up new ways to combat infections, a pervasive threat to health.
The Study
In this in vitro study, the antifungal effects of the fennel seed oil were analyzed from various characteristics, like Mycelia growth, spore germination, and biomass.
What Came out of it?
The results of the study revealed that fennel seed essential oil had strong antifungal activities, and seemed to be better than the commonly used antifungal remedies, fluconazole and amphotericin B. Further research indicated that fennel oil could also obstruct the activities of mitochondrial enzymes, like succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase.
What Does This Mean?
This plant-derived remedy may offer a natural solution for treating dermatophytes. The findings are important because this natural therapeutic oil offers an alternative to antifungal medications that could cause drug resistance.
Sources
- Journal of Medical Microbiology, In vitro antifungal activity and mechanism of essential oil from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) on dermatophyte species, 2014
