The scent of fennel oil is licorice-y—but divisive. Some love it, some wrinkle their nose
Most people buy fennel essential oil for digestion. What does that mean exactly? When you hear doctors say fennel essential oil helps with digestion, they usually mean it eases uncomfortable symptoms like bloating (that swollen, gassy feeling after a meal), flatulence (it can help reduce gas), cramps or stomach spasms, indigestion (that heavy, stuck feeling after eating), and constipation (yep—it gently gets things… moving).
The second reason people buy fennel essential oil? Hormonal balance—especially for women. Fennel oil has mild estrogenic properties, which is why it’s often used for PMS, menstrual cramps, or even to support milk production during breastfeeding. With that said, our review team voted the Healing Solutions fennel essential oil best overall out of five popular fennel oils.
Because of that little incident with my mom, I gave her Turkish licorice (arguably the best kind) and a bottle of fennel essential oil for Christmas. Of course, when you gift someone an essential oil, you want to make sure it’s high quality—like our best overall, the Healing Solutions fennel essential oil.
Given its ranking in our list, this brand ticks four important boxes: it’s 100% pure and undiluted, GC-MS tested for purity, bottled in amber glass to protect it from the sun, and tested by a chief scientist. Can you put it in a diffuser? Check. Can you dilute it in a carrier oil and apply it to your skin? Check. Can you mix it into salad dressing and eat it? Absolutely not. Even though it’s fennel—you cannot, I repeat, cannot eat this fennel essential oil. But here’s what you can expect when you use it the right way: Will your bloating and gas ease up when you dilute it in a carrier oil and massage it onto your abdomen? Yes. Will your PMS symptoms and menstrual cramps feel less intense when you apply it the same way? Yesss. Will diffusing it make your whole house smell amazing and help you feel a little more grounded? Abso-LOOT-ly
You can’t eat most fennel essential oils—but this one? You can. The Zongle Therapeutics fennel essential oil offers a food-grade fennel oil that’s safe to ingest and rigorously tested for purity through GC-MS and microbial screening. It’s also 100% pure and free from preservatives and artificial ingredients. The thing is, the serving size is 1 drop. This means you only need a teeny tiny amount for topical or interal use (eating).
With that in mind, if you want to add a sweet, licorice-like kick to teas, sauces, or even baked goods, this is the bottle to keep in your kitchen. Of course, when you diffuse it, you’ll get a calming scent with a herbal sweetness that helps you breathe a little deeper after a long day. At 4 ounces, this is a much bigger bottle than the best overall, and it’s priced accordingly. Bottom line: if you’re looking for a food-grade, therapeutic, and beautifully aromatic fennel oil—this is the one to choose.
Not every fennel oil smells the same. The best overall brand leans sweet and clean—like a sharper black licorice with a hint of herbal freshness. The LotusJoy fennel essential oil, on the other hand, smells earthier and slightly warmer, with a more muted licorice note and a soft, almost woodsy finish. Of course, the scent is still classic fennel: a little herbal, a little sweet, and great for grounding the mood in your home or workspace. It’s also 100% pure and steam-distilled from fennel seeds, and the brand emphasizes sustainable sourcing and small-batch testing for purity.
I love everything about this brand—especially their name: Edens Garden. You just know the Edens Garden fennel essential oil is going to do something good for your body and mind. And that 4.7-star rating? That speaks volumes.
Of course, this brand has built a reputation for quality oils, and this fennel oil holds up beautifully. It’s steam-distilled from Foeniculum vulgare seeds and smells just like you’d hope: gently sweet, softly earthy, and with that familiar anise note fennel lovers recognize instantly. What makes this one extra appealing is the brand’s transparency: every batch is GC-MS tested and publicly available, so you know exactly what you’re getting. You can dilute it in a carrier oil for digestive massage, diffuse it when you want the room to feel a little calmer, or blend it with lavender, lemon, or rosemary for a relaxing mix. This is also a great option if you’re looking for a luxury fennel oil. It’s not food grade, but for aromatherapy and topical use, it’s one of the best.
When an essential oil earns an Amazon’s Choice badge, it means two things: people are buying it a lot, and they’re leaving solid reviews. Gya Labs’ fennel essential oil has both—plus something rare in the essential oil world: a sustainability certification. It’s ClimatePartner certified, which means its carbon impact has been measured, reduced, and offset. That’s why we named it our Eco Pick.
Moreover, the oil itself is 100% pure and steam-distilled from Hungarian fennel seeds, with a scent that’s sweet, peppery, and grounded with subtle earthy notes. It’s a small bottle (0.34 fluid ounces), but the price is fair. You can use it in diffusers to freshen up a room, mix it into a carrier oil, or add a few drops to candles and soaps. It also blends well with oils like tea tree, ginger, and basil if you like experimenting with aromatherapy.
Some fennel oils smell stronger than others. Some work better for bloating. If you’re picking a fennel essential oil—especially for digestion, cramping, or diffusing—you’ll want to pay attention to a few details before buying. Here’s what actually matters:
This is non-negotiable. If it’s been mixed with a carrier oil or synthetic fragrance, it’s no longer true essential oil. That matters because diluted oils don’t deliver the same therapeutic benefits—especially for digestion or PMS.
Look for: Terms like 100% pure, undiluted, or therapeutic grade on the label. If the ingredient list says anything other than Foeniculum vulgare (that’s fennel), skip it. (Unless you want a diluted fennel oil.)
GC-MS stands for Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. It’s a fancy way of saying “this oil was tested to make sure it’s the real deal.” If the results are publicly available, even better. That’s the sign of a transparent brand.
Look for: GC-MS test results available online or listed on the seller’s page. Healing Solutions, for example, makes theirs easy to find.
Fennel grown in different parts of the world has slightly different scent profiles and chemical compositions. Turkish fennel tends to smell sweeter and smoother, while Indian fennel might lean sharper or spicier.
Look for: Country of origin in the description. If you’re picky about scent and the overall quality of the oil—this matters.
Steam distillation is the gold standard for fennel essential oil. It helps preserve the therapeutic compounds without the use of harsh chemicals. You’ll also want to avoid anything that says “solvent extracted.” That’s more common in perfume oils, not ones used for digestive support or wellness.
Look for: Steam distilled or steam extracted on the product packaging.
Essential oils are sensitive to light and heat. If the bottle is clear, run. If the lid is flimsy or there’s no dropper, you’re setting yourself up for a mess.
Look for: Amber or dark-colored glass bottles with built-in droppers. That protects the oil and makes dosing easier.
This one’s big if you’re using fennel oil for bloating, cramps, or PMS. You’ll need to dilute it in a carrier oil (like almond or coconut) and massage it into your abdomen. Some oils are labeled for aromatherapy use only, which usually means they haven’t been tested for skin safety.
Look for: Labels that say safe for topical use (once diluted). You’ll also want to scan for any allergy warnings, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Don’t buy the cheapest fennel oil. Instead, look for purity, testing, steam extraction, safe packaging, and skin safety. Of course, the Healing Solutions fennel essential oil ticks all those boxes—and for just $6.99 per bottle.
Mix 1–2 drops of fennel essential oil with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. You can apply it to your lower abdomen and massage it in a clockwise direction.
Coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil are all good options. Which smell do you prefer?
Use 1–2 drops per 3.3 ounces of water. You can adjust the amount based on how strong you want the scent.
Yes. Studies show it can ease menstrual pain and improve digestion.
It’s 100% pure, GC-MS tested, and backed by over 67,000 reviews with a 4.5-star rating. It also comes in protective packaging and is safe for topical and diffuser use.
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