Fenugreek

Also Known as

Plant Family

Leguminosae and Fabaceae (bean family).

Origin/ Where Found

From the Mediterranean to China. Today Fenugreek is grown in many parts of the world, including India, northern Africa, and the United States.

Indications

Lactation (to increase), indigestion, diarrhea, atherosclerosis, constipation, diabetes, cholesterol (see Usage/ Dosage), high triglycerides, throat pain and coughs.

Minimises symptoms of menopause.

Sensoric Quality

Bitter and aromatic. The leaves' fragrance slightly resembles lovage. Seeds are pleasantly bitter and slightly sweet.

Part(s) Used

The brownish-yellow seeds of rhombic shape (about 3 mm) of fenugreek contain the most potent medicinal effects of the plant. Asian Indians also like the fresh leaves, which are eaten as a very tasty vegetable and prepared like spinach; sometimes, they are found in Indian yeast bread (then called methi naan or paratha).

Description

Its leaves can be used in salads. Fenugreek seeds, which come whole and ground, are used to flavour many foods including curry powders, spice blends and teas.

Fenugreek seed is a common spice used to improve digestion and assimilation. It has been used to stimulate lactation in women, as well as to ease bronchitis and chronic cough, reduce fever; and to treat mouth ulcers. Fenugreek is used as a poultice for boils and wounds.

Modern scientific research finds that fenugreek can help reduce cholesterol levels, control diabetes and minimize the symptoms of menopause. Studies have shown that fenugreek seeds reduce serum cholesterol levels. (see Usage/ Dosage.)

Fenugreek's soothing mucilage can also help relieve sore throat pain, cough and minor indigestion. Because its mucilage expands in the gut, it also adds bulk to the stool. As a result, it can help treat constipation and diarrhea.

Fenugreek is an ancient spice, with a taste that has to be acquired. It is mostly used in the Middle East and India, especially for pickles.

Small amounts of fenugreek should be found in good curry powders. Fenugreek is also popular in the South of India and appears in the ubiquitous Tamil spice mixture sambaar podi. Lastly, the bitter-aromatic seeds constitute an essential part of the Bengali "five spice" mixture - panch phoron.

The bitter taste of Fenugreek is strongly appetizing and, thus, has a culinary merit. Fenugreek was, and remains, a food and a spice commonly eaten in many parts of the world.

History

From ancient times through the late nineteenth century, fenugreek played a major role in herbal healing. After a lull, things are once again looking up for the herb.

The ancient Greeks fed this herb to horses and cattle. The Romans then started using it, too, calling it "Greek hay." (In Latin, "Greek hay" is foenum-graecum, and that evolved into "fenugreek.")

In India, the herb had made its way to into curry blends ages ago. Ayurvedic physicians too had prescribed it to nursing mothers to increase their milk flow. In American folk medicine, fenugreek was considered a potent menstruation promoter.

A wide range of uses were found for fenugreek in ancient times. Medicinally it was used for the treatment of wounds, abscesses, arthritis, bronchitis, and digestive problems. Traditional Chinese herbalists used it for kidney problems and conditions affecting the male reproductive tract.

Active Constituents

Fenugreek contains only minute quantities of an essential oil, made up of forty different compounds - of which 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-oxolane-2-one seems to be the most important aroma component; furthermore, n-alkanes, sesquiterpenes, alkanoles and lactones are also reported.

Among the non-volatile components, the furostanol glycosides are probably responsible for the bitter taste; among the several more compounds yet identified, sterol- and diosgenin derivatives (of potential interest for the pharmaceutical industry) and trigonellin (N-methyl-pyridinium-3-carboxylate, 0.4%) are most worth noting.

The steroidal saponins account for many of the beneficial effects of fenugreek, particularly the inhibition of cholesterol absorption and synthesis.

The seeds are rich in dietary fiber, which may be the main reason it can lower blood sugar levels in diabetes.

Scientists have confirmed that fenugreek seeds contain chemicals (diosgenin and estrogenic isoflavones) similar to the female sex hormone estrogen. Loss of estrogen causes menopausal symptoms, so adding fenugreek to the diet might help minimize them. Estrogen can also cause breast swelling.

Organs/ Systems Affected

Liver, Hormonal

Usage/ Dosage

Indian researchers have shown that fenugreek reduces cholesterol in people with high cholesterol levels. The people in the Indian study added about four ounces a day of powdered fenugreek seeds to their diet for 20 days. During that time their total cholesterol levels and their levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol fell significantly. At the same time their high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol levels remained unaffected.

Fenugreek also has great promise in alleviating Type II (non- insulin-dependent) and Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes. For ten days, Indian researchers added about four ounces of powdered fenugreek seeds a day to the diets of people with Type I diabetes, which requires daily insulin injections. The injections, however, did not entirely eliminate a key sign of the illness - sugar in their urine. With fenugreek added to their diet, their urinary sugar levels fell by 54 percent.

1 cup 2 to 3 times daily (Decoction)

As a tincture, 1-2 ml of fenugreek can be taken up to three times per day.

The typical range of intake is 5-30 grams with each meal or 15-90 grams all at once with one meal.

Fenugreek seeds should be stored in a cool, dark place for no more than six months.

Dry roasting can enhance the flavour and reduce the bitterness, provided care is taken not to overheat the seeds.

Decoction

To make a medicinal tea, gently boil two teaspoons of mashed seeds per cup of water, then simmer for ten minutes. Drink up to three cups a day. To improve the flavour, you can add sugar, honey, lemon, anise or peppermint.

Side Effects

Repeated external applications can result in undesirable skin reactions. Fenugreek is considered safe as a spice supplement in daily diet.

Use of more than 100 grams of fenugreek seeds daily can cause intestinal upset and nausea. Otherwise, fenugreek is extremely safe.