Medicinal Properties of Fenugreek

Medicinal Properties of Fenugreek

by, Nelson Brunton.

naturalhealingcentre@gmail.com

Names: Family of Papillionaceae Genus and specie: Trigonella feonum-graecum

Other names: Greek Hay, Fenugreek,Hu Lu Ba. Bird’s Foot, Foenugreek, Goat’s Horn.

Fenugreek leaves

Description:  Fenugreek is one of mankind's oldest medicinal plants and was cultivated by the ancient Assyrians around 3000 years ago. It is claimed Fenugreek is native to North Africa and around the Mediterranean but these days it is grown all over the world and widely cultivated as a medicinal plant. A favorite the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Hippocrates, the father of medicine used and wrote about this culinary and medicinal herb. It is An erect hairy annual of the bean family, reaching 30-60 cm (1-2 ft.). The long slender stems bear tripartite, toothed, grey-green obviate leaves, 20-25 mm (3/4-1 in) long. The root is a mass of fingery structures. The sessile axillary flowers are white or pale yellow. The thin, sword-shaped pods are 10-15 cm (4-6 in), with a curved beak-like tip, each carrying 10-20 seeds. The plant radiates a spicy odour which persists on the hands after touching. Both Wild and cultivated varieties exist. Flavour: Powerful, aromatic and bittersweet, like burnt sugar. There is a bitter aftertaste, similar to celery or lovage.

 Culinary uses: The most well known use of fenugreek as a food is as a flavouring in curry dishes. In fact ground seeds are an essential ingredient of curry powders, oriental sauces, spice mixtures and also halvah, the delicious sweetmeat. Fenugreek is also a common ingredient in chutneys, pickles, condiments, chewing gum, soft drinks, gelatin, cakes, puddings, ice creams, confectionery, icing, and syrups, such as maple, caramel, butterscotch and vanilla, and in Egypt is used as a supplement in wheat and maize flour for baking bread. The seeds are sprouted for use in salads and sandwiches, and the leaves are utilised as a tasty ingredient in salads, soups, stews and in cauliflower, bean, potato and mango dishes. In India and the Arabic world, the seeds are roasted and used to make fenugreek coffee, a highly regarded beverage. In other parts of the world, fenugreek tea is popular and is regarded as soothing and has a natural maple flavour. The major use of fenugreek is in curry powders, figuring in many mixtures, especially vindaloo and the hot curries of Sri Lanka. It is an ingredient of Panch phoron, the Indian five-spice mixture. In home-made powders, the amount used can be controlled, but in cheap bought powders it often overpowers.

Medicinal Uses: Fenugreek seeds contain alkaloids, including trigonelline, g]entianine and carpaine compounds. The seeds also contain fiber, 4-hydroxyisoleucine and fenugreekine, a component that may have hypoglycemic activity. For Woman: Its active ingredient known as galactogogue increases the flow of mother’s milk within 24-36 hours. Today some of the traditional and theraputic uses  of Fenugreek has fallen by the wayside, but  is more popular for its natural breast enhancement properties. The benefits of fenugreek to breastfeeding women have already been mentioned, but the benefits to the breast are much greater. Fenugreek is rich in flavonoids, a class of phytoestrogens (including vitexin and its glycosides and esters, isovitexin, orientin, vicenins 1 and 2, quercetin and luteolin), which have a healthy hormonal balancing action in the female body and help to promote the process of mammogenesis, the development of the breast. Look at any herbal formulation designed for breast enhancement, from any part of the world, and you are likely to notice that it contains fenugreek as a major ingredient. More recently, in the U.S., folk medicine held fenugreek to be useful fodder for dairy cows as it appeared to increase their milk production.  Hormonal stimulator, Controls hormones and menstrual fluids,

Digestive System: The mechanism is thought to delay gastric emptying, slow carbohydrate absorption and inhibit glucose transport. Fenugreek assists suffers of Gastric disorders and slow Digestion . Fenugreek Stimulates the pancreas and acts to stimulate the digestion

Heart and Circulation  it invigorates the body in Formation of Blood Cells and  production of blood, helping those suffering  effects of anaemia, convalescence and cases of low energy levels.

Fenugreek is a Cardiac tonic, blood purifier, and Controls Blood pressure.  As an Anti-spasm, it helps sufferers of cramp in abdomen, intestines,  and women with menstrual pains. In the Lungs, Fenugreek contains natural expectorant properties ideal for treating sinus and lung congestion, and loosens & removes excess mucus and phlegm. Fenugreek is an expectorant, Fenugreek stimulates the production of mucosal fluids helping remove allergens and toxins from the respiratory tract. It helps cough, colds and fevers. So effective it is in lowering fevers that it is compaired to Quinine. Fenugreek relieves congestion, reduces inflammation and fights infection. Fenugreek is a effective Anabolic agent & Muscular stimulant, energy enhancer, because of its anti fatigue properties.

Fenugreek Seeds

Liver detoxifier and excellent in treating diabeties and controlling blood sugar. Fenugreek may also increase the number of insulin receptors in red blood cells and improve glucose utilization in peripheral tissues. Fenugreek is an Anti hyperglycaemic and useful also for those suggering Low blood sugar. Hence help in cases of Type 1 and 2 diabetes. The amino acid 4- hydroxyisoleucine, contained in the seeds, may also directly stimulate insulin secretion. Fenugreek is  an Anti fungal, Anti inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, Heals and treats wounds and perticularly  assist those suffering Acne due to raised blood sugar. As an anti-inflammatory assists suffers of  lymphadenitis, microbial and fungal infections and oedema of the legs.

In Chinese  triditional healing it is used in cases of Backache, kidney disorders, oedema, liver ailments, impotence, loss of libido, menstrual pains, premature ejaculation, erective disfunction and testicular pains and hernia. In Ayurvedic medicine it is used for rejuvenation, as an aphrodisiac, a diuretic, for digestive complaints, dyspepsia, coughs, colic, bronchitis, constipation, gout, arthritis, enlargement of liver and spleen and as a breast enhancer. External use of fenugreek: it acts as an emollient and is used as a poultice for local inflammation of the skin, cellulites, boils, ulcers, abscesses, burns, eczema, dermatitis and chapped lips, the poultice being prepared by soaking the powdered fenugreek seeds in hot water. In India, fenugreek seed oil was used in ancient times as a shampoo recommended for glossy hair, and an infusion of the seed, used as a skin lotion, was said to be good for the complexion. In Egypt Applications of fenugreek were documented in ancient Egypt, where it was used in incense, to embalm mummies and to induce childbirth. The Arabs generally, used fenugreek on harem women to try and make them more buxom, and was used together with other plants to create a beauty cream and also an air freshener. In the ancient worlds of Greece and Rome, the seeds were used to freshen bad breath and were massaged into the scalp to cure dandruff.