Fennel seed has traditionally been used as an antispasmodic and to increase intestinal motility. A recent study, published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine (2003; 9(4):58-61), took 125 infants between two and 12 weeks of age who suffered from colic and gave them either a placebo or an emulsion containing fennel seed. If, after the course of the study, total time spent crying was reduced to nine hours per week or less, the infant was considered to have relief from colic. In the group of infants receiving the fennel, 65%  experienced relief, while only a little over 23% of the control group experienced relief.