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 Fenugreek is commonly found growing in Mediterranean
regions of southern Europe, where both the seeds and leaves are used
primarily as a food spice. The seeds of the fenugreek herb are an
effective nutritional supplement and have also been used by
herbalists for many centuries for the other health benefits it
provides.
Health Benefits of
Fenugreek
The active constituents in fenugreek are
alkaloids, lysine and L-tryptophan. It also contains steroidal
saponins (diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, and neotigogenin) and
mucilaginous fiber which are believed to be responsible for many of
the beneficial effects fenugreek exhibits.
The chemical
compounds found in fenugreek have the ability to aid the digestive
process. Consequently, when taken with meals it is believed that
fenugreek is able to slow down the rate at which sugars are absorbed
into the body, whereby regulating blood sugar levels. Additionally,
studies indicate that 4-hydroxyisoleucine (an amino acid) found in
fenugreek may induce or promote the production of insulin when blood
sugar levels are elevated.
In studies of animals and humans
with both diabetes and high cholesterol levels, fenugreek appeared
to not only regulate blood sugar levels but also lower levels of
harmful cholesterol. However, in studies of those who did not have
diabetes, a similar effect was not reported.
As mentioned
previously fenugreek contains a substantial amount of mucilaginous
fiber. The mucilage found in fenugreek does not dissolve but instead
swells when mixed with fluids. Since the body cannot digest the
mucilage from fenugreek it is believed to be an effective
laxative.
As an external application fenugreek may sooth
irritated skin and relieve surface aches and
pains.
Dosage and Administration
A
common dosage for diabetes or cholesterol-lowering is 5 to 30 grams
with each meal or 15 to 90 grams per day. As a tincture, 3 to 4 ml
of fenugreek can be taken up to three times per
day.
Fenugreek tea is prepared by soaking 500 mg of the seed
in about 5 ounces of cold water for at least 3 hours. The seeds are
then strained out of the liquid before drinking the tea, which can
be heated or ingested cold.
For topical use, an application
is made by mixing 50,000 mg (50 grams) of fenugreek seed powder with
up to about one quart of hot water and letting the mixture stand
until it makes a thick gel. A soft cloth is then covered with the
gel and applied to an aching or injured area of skin
surface.
Supporting
Literature
Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC.
Effect of ginger and fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L) on blood
lipids, blood sugar, and platelet aggregation in patients with
coronary artery disease. Prostagland Leukotrienes Essential Fatty
Acids 1997;56:379–384.
Ribes G, Sauvaire Y, Da Costa C, et al.
Antidiabetic effects of subfractions from fenugreek seeds in
diabetic dogs. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1986;182:159–166.
Sharma RD,
Rao NS, Raghuram TC. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and
serum lipids in type I diabetes. Eur. Clinic Nutrition
1990;44:301–306.
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