Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/334 of 13 February 2026 amending Decision 2008/911/EC establishing a list of herbal substances, preparations and combinations thereof for use in traditional herbal medicinal products with regards to Foeniculum vulgare (notified under document C(2026) 808) (Text with EEA relevance)
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Address https://gelex.eu/eli/EU/decision/2026/334@2026-02-13/en
Contents
- Preamble
- ANNEX
- ANNEX **
- ANNEX A.
- Scientific name of the plant
- Botanical family
- Herbal substance
- Common name of herbal substance in all EU official languages
- Herbal preparation(s)
- European Pharmacopoeia monograph reference
- Indications
- Type of tradition
- Specified strength
- Specified posology
- Route of administration
- Duration of use or any restrictions on the duration of use
- Any other information necessary for the safe use Contraindications
- ANNEX * B.
- Scientific name of the plant
- Botanical family
- Herbal substance
- Common name of herbal substance in all EU official languages
- Herbal preparation(s)
- European Pharmacopoeia monograph reference
- Indications
- Type of tradition
- Specified strength
- Specified posology
- Route of administration
- Duration of use or any restrictions on the duration of use
- Any other information necessary for the safe use Contraindications
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use, and in particular Article 16f thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In 2007, the European Medicines Agency established in its opinions that Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. vulgare, fructus and Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. dulce (Miller) Thellung, fructus complied with the requirements set out in Directive 2001/83/EC as herbal substances, herbal preparations or combinations thereof within the meaning of that Directive and were therefore included in the list of herbal substances, preparations and combinations thereof for use in traditional herbal medicinal products established by Commission Decision 2008/911/EC.
(2) The Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency has reviewed the list entries Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. vulgare, fructus and Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. dulce (Miller) Thellung, fructus and adopted two respective opinions to change those entries. Based on those opinions, it is necessary to amend the scientific and common name of those herbal substances in EU official languages, the description of herbal preparations, the reference to the European Pharmacopoeia monograph, the numbering of the indications, the type of tradition, the specified posology, the duration of use, pharmaceutical particulars and the information on the safe use, including contraindications, special warnings and precautions for use with respect to fertility, pregnancy and lactation.
(3) Decision 2008/911/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(4) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Medicinal Products for Human Use,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Annex II to Decision 2008/911/EC is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 13 February 2026. For the Commission Olivér Várhelyi Member of the Commission
ANNEX
ANNEX **
In Annex II, the Community list entry on Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. vulgare, fructus and the Community list entry on Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. dulce (Miller) Thellung, fructus are replaced by the following: Public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing estragole of 12 May 2023 of the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products, EMA/HMPC/137212/2005, Rev 1 Corr 1, available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-estragole-revision-1_en.pdf. Public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing estragole of 12 May 2023 of the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products, (HMPC) EMA/HMPC/137212/2005, Rev 1 Corr 1, available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-estragole-revision-1_en.pdf..
ANNEX A.
UNION LIST ENTRY ON FOENICULUM VULGARE MILLER SUBSP. VULGARE VAR. VULGARE, FRUCTUS
Scientific name of the plant
Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. vulgare
Botanical family
Apiaceae
Herbal substance
Bitter fennel, fruit
Common name of herbal substance in all EU official languages
BG (bulgarski): Горчиво резене, плод LT (lietuvių kalba): Kartieji pankolių, vaisiai CS (čeština): Plod fenyklu obecného pravého LV (latviešu valoda): Rūgtā fenheļa, augļi DA (dansk): Fennikel bitter MT (malti): Bużbież morr, frotta DE (Deutsch): Bitterer Fenchel NL (nederlands): Bittere venkel, vrucht EL (elliniká): Πικρού μάραθου καρπός PL (polski): Koper włoski odmiany gorzkiej, owoc EN (English): Bitter Fennel PT (português): Funcho-amargo, fruto ES (español): Hinojo amargo, fruto RO (română): Fenicul amar, fruct ET (eesti keel): Mõru apteegitill, vili SK (slovenčina): Plod fenikla horkého FI (suomi): Karvasfenkoli, hedelmä SL (slovenščina): Plod grenkega navadnega komarčka FR (français): Fenouil amer, fruit SV (svenska): Bitterfänkål, frö HR (hrvatski): Komorač gorki, plod IS (íslenska): Bitur fennel aldin HU (magyar): Keserű édeskömény, termés NO (norsk): Bitter fennikel IT (italiano): Finocchio amaro, frutto
Herbal preparation(s)
Not applicable
European Pharmacopoeia monograph reference
Bitter fennel – Foeniculi amari fructus (04/2013:0824)
Indications
Indication (1) Traditional herbal medicinal product for symptomatic treatment of mild, spasmodic gastro-intestinal complaints including bloating and flatulence. Indication (2) Traditional herbal medicinal product for symptomatic treatment of minor spasm associated with menstrual periods. Indication (3) Traditional herbal medicinal product used as an expectorant in cough associated with cold. The product is a traditional herbal medicinal product for use in specified indications exclusively based upon long-standing use.
Type of tradition
European
Specified strength
Please see Specified posology
Specified posology
Indications (1) and (3)
Adults and adolescents
Single dose Herbal tea: 1,5 g of herbal substance in 250 ml of boiling water (steep for 15 minutes) as a herbal infusion, 3 times daily. Recommended daily dose: 4,5 g
Children between 4 and 12 years of age
Single dose Herbal tea: 1,0 g of herbal substance in 100 ml of boiling water (steep for 15 minutes) as a herbal infusion, 3 times daily. Recommended daily dose: 3,0 g For further information on the use in children between 4 and 12 years of age, see section Special warnings and precautions for use. The use is not recommended in children under 4 years of age (see section Special warnings and precautions for use). See section Pharmaceutical particulars for content of estragole. Indication (2)
Adults and adolescents
Single dose Herbal tea: 1,5 g of herbal substance in 250 ml of boiling water (steep for 15 minutes) as a herbal infusion, 3 times daily. Recommended daily dose: 4,5 g The use in children under 12 years of age is not recommended (see section Special warnings and precautions for use). See section Pharmaceutical particulars for content of estragole.
Route of administration
Oral use
Duration of use or any restrictions on the duration of use
Indications (1), (2) and (3)
Adults and adolescents
Not to be taken for more than 2 weeks. Indications (1) and (3)
Children between 4 and 12 years of age
For short-term use in mild transitory symptoms only (less than one week). If the symptoms persist during the use of the medicinal product, a doctor or a qualified health-care practitioner should be consulted.
Any other information necessary for the safe use Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family (aniseed, caraway, celery, coriander and dill) or to anethole. Hypersensitivity to mugwort pollen, due to cross-reactivity with fennel.
Special warnings and precautions for use
Indications (1) and (3) The use in children between 4 and 12 years of age is not recommended if the daily intake of estragole exceeds the guidance value of 1,0 μg/kg bw, unless justified by a risk assessment based on adequate safety data. The use is not recommended in children under 4 years of age due to the lack of adequate data. Indication (2) The use in children under 12 years of age has not been established due to lack of adequate data. If the symptoms worsen during the use of the medicinal product, a doctor or a qualified health care practitioner should be consulted.
Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None reported
Fertility, pregnancy, and lactation
Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, the use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended. There is evidence that trans-anethole is excreted in human breast milk. No fertility data available.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effect on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
Undesirable effects
Allergic reactions to fennel, affecting the skin or the respiratory system, may occur. The frequency is not known. If other adverse reactions not mentioned above occur, a doctor or a qualified health-care practitioner should be consulted.
Overdose
No case of overdose has been reported.
Pharmaceutical particulars
In the general population exposure to estragole should be kept as low as practically achievable. In pregnant and breast-feeding women, the daily intake of estragole should be below 0,05 mg/person per day. In children below 12 years of age, the daily intake of estragole should be below 1,0 μg/kg bw. For further details see the Public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing estragole*.
Pharmacological effects or efficacy plausible on the basis of long-standing use and experience
Not applicable.
ANNEX * B.
UNION LIST ENTRY ON FOENICULUM VULGARE MILLER SUBSP. VULGARE VAR. DULCE (MILL.) BATT. & TRAB., FRUCTUS
Scientific name of the plant
Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. dulce (Mill.) Batt. & Trab.
Botanical family
Apiaceae
Herbal substance
Sweet fennel, fruit
Common name of herbal substance in all EU official languages
BG (bulgarski): Сладко резене, плод LT (lietuvių kalba): Saldieji pankolių, vaisiai CS (čeština): Plod fenyklu obecného sladkého LV (latviešu valoda): Saldā fenheļa, augļi DA (dansk): Fennikel sød MT (malti): Bużbież ħelu, frotta DE (Deutsch): Süßer Fenchel NL (nederlands): Zoete venkel, vrucht EL (elliniká): Γλυκού μάραθου καρπός PL (polski): Koper włoski odmiany słodkiej, owoc EN (English): Sweet fennel, fruit PT (português): Funcho-doce, fruto ES (español): Hinojo dulce, fruto RO (română): Fenicul dulce, fruct ET (eesti keel): Magus apteegitill, vili SK (slovenčina): Plod fenikla sladkého FI (suomi): Makeafenkoli, hedelmä SL (slovenščina): Plod sladkega navadnega komarčka FR (français): Fenouil doux, fruit SV (svenska): Sötfänkål, frö HR (hrvatski): Komorač slatki, plod IS (íslenska): Sæt fennel aldin HU (magyar): Édeskömény termés NO (norsk): Søt fennikel IT (italiano): Finocchio dolce, frutto
Herbal preparation(s)
Not applicable
European Pharmacopoeia monograph reference
Sweet fennel – Foeniculi dulcis fructus (04/2011:0825))
Indications
Indication (1) Traditional herbal medicinal product for symptomatic treatment of mild, spasmodic gastro-intestinal complaints including bloating and flatulence. Indication (2) Traditional herbal medicinal product for symptomatic treatment of minor spasm associated with menstrual periods. Indication (3) Traditional herbal medicinal product used as an expectorant in cough associated with cold. The product is a traditional herbal medicinal product for use in specified indications exclusively based upon long-standing use.
Type of tradition
European
Specified strength
Please see Specified posology
Specified posology
Indications (1) and (3)
Adults and adolescents
Single dose Herbal tea: 1,5 g of herbal substance in 250 ml of boiling water (steep for 15 minutes) as a herbal infusion, 3 times daily. Recommended daily dose: 4,5 g
Children between 4 and 12 years of age
Single dose Herbal tea: 1,0 g of herbal substance in 100 ml of boiling water (steep for 15 minutes) as a herbal infusion, 3 times daily. Recommended daily dose: 3,0 g For further information on the use in children between 4 and 12 years of age, see section Special warnings and precautions for use. The use is not recommended in children under 4 years of age (see section Special warnings and precautions for use). See section Pharmaceutical particulars for content of estragole. Indication (2)
Adults and adolescents
Single dose Herbal tea: 1,5 g of herbal substance in 250 ml of boiling water (steep for 15 minutes) as a herbal infusion, 3 times daily. Recommended daily dose: 4,5 g The use in children under 12 years of age is not recommended (see section Special warnings and precautions for use). See section Pharmaceutical particulars for content of estragole.
Route of administration
Oral use
Duration of use or any restrictions on the duration of use
Indications (1), (2) and (3)
Adults and adolescents
Not to be taken for more than 2 weeks. Indications (1) and (3)
Children between 4 and 12 years of age
For short-term use in mild transitory symptoms only (less than one week). If the symptoms persist during the use of the medicinal product, a doctor or a qualified health care practitioner should be consulted.
Any other information necessary for the safe use Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family (aniseed, caraway, celery, coriander and dill) or to anethole. Hypersensitivity to mugwort pollen, due to cross-reactivity with fennel.
Special warnings and precautions for use
Indications (1) and (3) The use in children between 4 and 12 years of age is not recommended if the daily intake of estragole exceeds the guidance value of 1,0 μg/kg bw, unless justified by a risk assessment based on adequate safety data. The use is not recommended in children under 4 years of age due to the lack of adequate data. Indication (2) The use in children under 12 years of age has not been established due to lack of adequate data. If the symptoms worsen during the use of the medicinal product, a doctor or a qualified health care practitioner should be consulted.
Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None reported
Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, the use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended. There is evidence that trans-anethole is excreted in human breast milk. No fertility data available.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effect on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
Undesirable effects
Allergic reactions to fennel, affecting the skin or the respiratory system, may occur. The frequency is not known. If other adverse reactions not mentioned above occur, a doctor or a qualified health-care practitioner should be consulted.
Overdose
No case of overdose has been reported.
Pharmaceutical particulars
In the general population exposure to estragole should be kept as low as practically achievable. In pregnant and breast-feeding women, the daily intake of estragole should be below 0,05 mg/person per day. In children below 12 years of age, the daily intake of estragole should be below 1,0 μg/kg bw. For further details see the Public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing estragole*.
Pharmacological effects or efficacy plausible on the basis of long-standing use and experience
Not applicable.