Plant Comparison
Angelica vs Fennel
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Angelica and Fennel: both belong to the Apiaceae family; they share 3 indicated uses (bronchitis, cough, respiratory support); 1 pharmacological action in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Angelica | Fennel | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronchitis | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cough | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Respiratory support | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Including columbianetin, angelicin, imperatorin and xanthotoxin.
Rich in monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene and beta-phellandrene; gives the aromatic, carminative character.
The aromatic volatile oil of the seed; trans-anethole is the principal component and is associated with the antispasmodic, carminative and estrogen-like activity.
Antioxidant polyphenolic constituents.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.
Major constituents of the fruit/seed oil.
Pharmacological Actions
Angelica archangelica fruit tincture and its furanocoumarins (imperatorin, xanthotoxin) show antiproliferative activity against pancreatic and larynx cancer and rhabdomyosarcoma cells (preclinical).
Anticonvulsant and cognition-supporting (preclinical)
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Anticonvulsant and cognition-supporting (preclinical)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
Anxiolytic / sedative (anxiety, nervous tension)
inferred from bitter-tonic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Angelica archangelica fruit tincture is antiproliferative against PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells; its furanocoumarins imperatorin and xanthotoxin drive this activity and inhibit larynx cancer and rhabdomyosarcoma cell growth (preclinical).
inferred from neuroprotective action
Diaphoretic / expectorant support during colds
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
Anxiolytic / sedative (anxiety, nervous tension)
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Overactive bladder - a pilot RCT of an Angelica archangelica leaf extract reduced daytime voids and storage symptoms and improved quality of life, with near-significant benefit for nocturia
inferred from antimicrobial action
Relieves primary dysmenorrhoea (menstrual) pain - meta-analyses of RCTs find fennel reduces pain intensity versus placebo, comparable to mefenamic acid
inferred from antispasmodic action
Relieves primary dysmenorrhoea (menstrual) pain - meta-analyses of RCTs find fennel reduces pain intensity versus placebo, comparable to mefenamic acid
inferred from expectorant action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Contains furanocoumarins, which can cause photosensitivity; avoid excessive sun or UV exposure while using the herb medicinally.
Medicinal doses should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Coumarin constituents may interact with anticoagulant medicines, and furanocoumarins with photosensitising drugs; when wild-harvesting, take great care to distinguish garden angelica from poisonous Apiaceae look-alikes such as hemlock.
When taken by mouth: Fennel is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine at appropriate doses for a short period of time. There isn't enough reliable information to know whether fennel is safe when used long-term. Although rare, side effects might include stomach upset and seizures.
When applied to the skin: Fennel is possibly safe. Fennel can make skin extra sensitive to the sun and make it easier to get a sunburn. Wear sunblock if you are light-skinned. Special Precautions and Warnings When taken by mouth: Fennel is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine at appropriate doses for a short period of time. There isn't enough reliable information to know whether fennel is safe when used long-term. Although rare, side effects might include stomach upset and seizures.
When applied to the skin: Fennel is possibly safe. Fennel can make skin extra sensitive to the sun and make it easier to get a sunburn. Wear sunblock if you are light-skinned.
Pregnancy: Fennel is possibly unsafe to use when pregnant. Regularly using fennel has been linked to preterm birth.
Breast-feeding: Fennel is possibly unsafe. There are some reports of breast-feeding infants with damage to their nervous systems after they were exposed to herbal tea containing fennel through breastmilk.
Children: Fennel is possibly safe when used at appropriate doses for up to one week in young infants with colic.
Allergy to celery, carrot or mugwort: Fennel might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to these plants.
Bleeding disorders: Fennel might slow blood clotting. Taking fennel might increase the risk of bleeding or bruising in people with bleeding disorders.
Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Fennel might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by estrogen, do not use fennel. (WebMD, n.d.b)
Duke (2002) rates fennel as ++ and notes antispasmodic, carminative, and digestive activities at experimental levels (score 1). Its estrogenic activity is well-documented, and it is traditionally used as a lactagogue. Commission E approves fennel for dyspeptic complaints and upper respiratory tract catarrh. Dose: 1.5–7.5 g seed or equivalent daily. Duke cautions that fennel essential oil in large amounts may be neurotoxic (estrole content), and prolonged use of concentrated extracts should be avoided during pregnancy (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Tall, robust biennial or short-lived perennial herb with a stout, hollow, ridged stem, often tinged purple. The leaves are large, bright green, 2-3-pinnately divided into broad, coarsely toothed leaflets, borne on inflated, sheathing stalks. Large, rounded compound umbels of small greenish-white to yellow-green flowers are borne at the stem tips, followed by pale, ribbed, winged fruit. The whole plant is strongly and pleasantly aromatic (sweet, celery- or juniper-like) when crushed.[6]
Aromatic, robust perennial (often grown as an annual/biennial) with a smooth, waxy, blue-green, hollow stem and finely divided, thread-fine, feathery leaves. Small yellow flowers are borne in large flat compound umbels in summer, ripening into ridged, strongly aniseed-scented seeds.[3]
Habitat
Native to northern and eastern Europe and parts of Asia, growing in damp meadows, riverbanks, ditches and woodland margins on moist, rich soils; also widely cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb.[6]
Native to the Mediterranean region; naturalised and widely cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical climates as a culinary herb, vegetable (Florence fennel) and spice crop.[3]
Harvesting
The root is dug in autumn of the first year (or spring of the second, before flowering), when its aromatic oil content is highest; the ripe fruit/seed is collected in late summer as the umbels dry; leaves for standardised extract are picked through the growing season. Careful identification against deadly Apiaceae look-alikes (poison hemlock, water hemlock, hemlock water-dropwort) is essential before wild-harvesting.[6]
Leaves are picked fresh through the growing season; the seed is harvested in autumn once the umbels have browned and dried, then threshed; the swollen root/bulb of Florence fennel is harvested when mature, before flowering.[3]
Traditional Uses
Angelica root has a long Northern European tradition as an aromatic bitter and carminative digestive remedy for indigestion, bloating and flatulence, as a diaphoretic and expectorant support during colds, and the seed/fruit as a calming, anxiolytic nervine. It has also been candied and used as a flavouring.[6]
Fennel seed has an ancient Mediterranean and Asian tradition as a carminative digestive remedy for indigestion, bloating and colic (including infant colic, historically), a mild expectorant for respiratory catarrh, and a traditional lactagogue and emmenagogue owing to its mild estrogen-like activity.[3]
Preparations
Dried root decocted or infused in hot water as a bitter digestive and carminative tea.
Crushed fruit/seed infused as a calming, carminative tea.
Concentrated leaf extract studied in a pilot clinical trial for overactive bladder symptoms.
Dosage
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph gives 0.3-12 g of dried root and rhizome per day for adults 18 years and older, with infusion and decoction among the accepted methods of preparation. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph accepts a tincture among the methods of preparation for angelica root and rhizome, within the same 0.3-12 g dried-equivalent daily range for adults 18 years and older; it does not state a tincture ratio or volume. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph on bitter fennel fruit gives, for adults and adolescents, 1.5 g of the herbal substance in 250 mL of boiling water (steeped 15 minutes) as an infusion three times daily, for a daily dose of 4.5 g. For children 4 to 12 years, 1.0 g in 100 mL three times daily (daily dose 3.0 g); use is not recommended under 4 years. Use should be short-term, and the monograph limits exposure because of the estragole content of the fruit. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
References & Sources
- Kaur, A. and Bhatti, R (2021) 'Understanding the phytochemistry and molecular insights to the pharmacology of Angelica archangelica L. (garden angelica) and its bioactive components', Phytotherapy Research, 35(11), pp. 5961--5979. doi:10.1002/ptr.7206 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7206 - Kaur, A., Singh, N., Bhatti, M.S. and Bhatti, R (2020) 'Optimization of extraction conditions of Angelica archangelica extract and activity evaluation in experimental fibromyalgia', Journal of Food Science, 85(11), pp. 3700--3710. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.15476 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15476 - Kumar, D. and Bhat, Z.A (2012) 'Anti-anxiety Activity of Methanolic Extracts of Different Parts of Angelica archangelica Linn', Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2(3), pp. 235-241. doi:10.1016/s2225-4110(16)30105-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s2225-4110(16)30105-5 - Fraternale, D. and Teodori, L. and Rudov, A. and Prattichizzo, F. and Olivieri, F. and Guidarelli, A. and Albertini, M.C (2018) 'The In Vitro Activity of Angelica archangelica L. Essential Oil on Inflammation', Journal of Medicinal Food, 21(12), pp. 1238-1243. doi:10.1089/jmf.2018.0017 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2018.0017 - Fraternale, D. and Flamini, G. and Ricci, D (2014) 'Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Angelica archangelica L. (Apiaceae) roots', Journal of Medicinal Food, 17(9), pp. 1043-1047. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0012 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2013.0012 - Kaur, A. and Bhatti, R (2021) 'Understanding the phytochemistry and molecular insights to the pharmacology of Angelica archangelica L. (garden angelica) and its bioactive components', Phytotherapy Research. doi:10.1002/ptr.7206 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7206 - Patel, D.K. and Patel, K (2023) 'Biological Potential and Pharmacological Activity of Columbianetin in Chronic Diseases', Drug Metabolism and Bioanalysis Letters. doi:10.2174/1872312815666230124154630 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/1872312815666230124154630 - Suenaga-Hiromori, M., Mogi, D., Kikuchi, Y., Tong, J., Kurisu, N., Aoki, Y. and others (2022) 'Comprehensive identification of terpene synthase genes and organ-dependent accumulation of terpenoid volatiles in a traditional medicinal plant Angelica archangelica L', Plant Biotechnology, 39(4), pp. 391--404. doi:10.5511/plantbiotechnology.22.1006a Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.5511/plantbiotechnology.22.1006a - Raafat, B.M., Gamal-Eldeen, A.M., Almehmadi, M.M., El-Daly, S.M., Faizo, N.L. and Althobaiti, F (2022) 'Angelica archangelica and Ginkgo biloba Extracts Recover Functional Blood Hemoglobin Derivatives in Rabbits Exposed to High Altitude', Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 23(11), pp. 1377--1382. doi:10.2174/1389201022666211118112356 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201022666211118112356 - Lopez-Seoane, J., Gesteiro, E., Castro-Alija, M.J., Quesada-Gonzalez, C., Perez-Ruiz, M. and Gonzalez-Gross, M (2025) 'Effects of Angelica archangelica Extract on Overactive Bladder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial', Food Science & Nutrition, 13(12). doi:10.1002/fsn3.71258 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71258 - Health Canada, Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (2026) 'Natural Health Product Monograph: Angelica - Angelica archangelica'. Available at: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_angelica_english.pdf Traditional / reference
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_angelica_english.pdf - Sigurdsson, S. and Ogmundsdottir, H.M. and Gudbjarnason, S (2004) 'Antiproliferative effect of Angelica archangelica fruits', Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung C, 59(7-8), pp. 523-527. doi:10.1515/znc-2004-7-813 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-2004-7-813 - Grabarska, A. and Skalicka-Wozniak, K. and Kielbus, M. and Dmoszynska-Graniczka, M. and Miziak, P. and Szumilo, J. and Nowosadzka, E. and Kowalczuk, K. and Khalifa, S. and Smok-Kalwat, J. and Klatka, J. and Kupisz, K. and Polberg, K. and Rivero-Muller, A. and Stepulak, A (2020) 'Imperatorin as a Promising Chemotherapeutic Agent Against Human Larynx Cancer and Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells', Molecules, 25(9), pp. 2046. doi:10.3390/molecules25092046 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092046 - Suciu, F., Mihai, D.P., Ungurianu, A., Andrei, C., Puscasu, C., Chitescu, C.L. and others (2025) 'Investigation of Anticonvulsant Potential of Morus, Angelica, Passiflora and Viola Extracts: In Vivo and In Silico Studies', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(13). doi:10.3390/ijms26136426 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136426 - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Dayan, A.D (2024) 'Death of Socrates: a likely case of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) poisoning', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(1), pp. 56-60. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 - King County Noxious Weeds (2024) 'Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) identification and control'. Available at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock Traditional / reference
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock - Heath, K.B (2001) 'A fatal case of apparent water hemlock poisoning', Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 43(1), pp. 35-6. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11205076/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11205076/ - Mitchell, M.I. and Routledge, P.A (1978) 'Hemlock water dropwort poisoning - a review', Clinical Toxicology, 12(4), pp. 417-26. doi:10.3109/15563657809150012 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3109/15563657809150012 - Lagey, K. and Duinslaeger, L. and Vanderkelen, A (1995) 'Burns induced by plants', Burns, 21(7), pp. 542-3. doi:10.1016/0305-4179(95)00026-8 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-4179(95)00026-8
- Rafieian, F., Amani, R., Rezaei, A. and others (2023) 'Exploring fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Composition, functional properties, potential health benefits, and safety', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 64(19), pp. 6924-6941. doi:10.1080/10408398.2023.2176817 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2023.2176817 - Khorshidi, M. and others (2021) 'Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) for the management of menopausal women's health: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 43, pp. 101360. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101360 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101360 - Badgujar, S.B. and Patel, V.V. and Bandivdekar, A.H (2014) 'Foeniculum vulgare Mill: a review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, contemporary application, and toxicology', BioMed Research International. doi:10.1155/2014/842674 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/842674 - Rasul, A. and others (2019) 'Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) promotes functional recovery and ameliorates oxidative stress following a lesion to the sciatic nerve in mouse model', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 43(11), pp. e12983. doi:10.1111/jfbc.12983 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12983 - Rasheed, N. and others (2019) 'The Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare incorporated diet shows anxiolytic potential: A pre-clinical study', Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 32(4), pp. 1791-1797. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20Fennel%2C%20Foeniculum%20vulgare%20incorporated%20diet%20shows%20anxiolytic%20potential%3A%20A%20pre-clinical%20study - Xu, Y., Yang, Q. and Wang, X (2020) 'Efficacy of herbal medicine (cinnamon/fennel/ginger) for primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Journal of International Medical Research, 48(6). doi:10.1177/0300060520936179 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060520936179 - Bae, J. and others (2022) 'Olfactory Stimulation by Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Essential Oil Improves Lipid Metabolism and Metabolic Disorders in High Fat-Induced Obese Rats', Nutrients, 14(4), pp. 741. doi:10.3390/nu14040741 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040741 - Crescente, G. and others (2017) 'Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. subsp. piperitum) florets, a traditional culinary spice in Italy: evaluation of phenolics and volatiles in local populations, and comparison with the composition of other plant parts', Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 98(5), pp. 1755-1765. doi:10.1002/jsfa.8426 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.8426 - Yakut, H.I., Koyuncu, E., Cakir, U., Tayman, C. and others (2020) 'Preventative and therapeutic effects of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed extracts against necrotizing enterocolitis', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 44(8), pp. e13284. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13284 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.13284 - Kamali, F., Mojani-Qomi, M.S., Arbabi Bidgoli, S., Lavasani, Z. and Adineh, M (2025) 'Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) oral capsules improve endometrial thickness in infertile women following clomiphene citrate treatment', European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, 313, pp. 114638. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114638 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114638 - Pattanittum, P., Kunyanone, N., Brown, J., Sangkomkamhang, U.S., Barnes, J., Seyfoddin, V. and Marjoribanks, J (2016) 'Dietary supplements for dysmenorrhoea', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, pp. CD002124. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002124.pub2 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002124.pub2 - Shahrahmani, H., Ghazanfarpour, M., Shahrahmani, N., Abdi, F., Sewell, R.D.E. and Rafieian-Kopaei, M (2021) 'Effect of fennel on primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 18(2), pp. 261--269. doi:10.1515/jcim-2019-0212 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2019-0212 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2018) 'European Union herbal monograph on Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. vulgare, fructus, Revision 1'. Available at: 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 Traditional / reference
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 - https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-311/fennel. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-311/fennel Traditional / reference
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-311/fennel - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Dayan, A.D (2024) 'Death of Socrates: a likely case of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) poisoning', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(1), pp. 56-60. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 - King County Noxious Weeds (2024) 'Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) identification and control'. Available at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock Traditional / reference
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock - Grow Forage Cook Ferment 'Poison Hemlock: How to Identify and Potential Look-alikes'. Available at: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/ Traditional / reference
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/ - Teuscher, E. and Greger, H. and Adrian, V (1990) 'Toxicity of Aethusa cynapium L. (fool's parsley)', Pharmazie, 45(7), pp. 537-8. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2236201/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2236201/ - Minnesota Wildflowers (2024) 'Aethusa cynapium (Fool's Parsley)'. Available at: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/fools-parsley Traditional / reference
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/fools-parsley - Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (Fermanagh Flora) 'Aethusa cynapium L., Fool's Parsley'. Available at: https://fermanagh.bsbi.org/aethusa-cynapium-l Traditional / reference
https://fermanagh.bsbi.org/aethusa-cynapium-l
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.