Fenugreek (trigonella foenum-graecum)

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Other names for fenugreek

fenugreek

Synopsis of fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a nutrient-rich herb and spice native to the Mediterranean, North Africa, and India, long used in culinary and medicinal traditions for its wide-ranging effects on digestion, metabolism, inflammation, lactation, and hormonal balance. The seeds are the primary medicinal part, known for their bitter, aromatic flavor and their ability to regulate blood sugar, support libido, and promote milk production.

Fenugreek seeds contain:

  • Saponins (e.g., diosgenin) – support hormonal activity and cholesterol balance
  • Alkaloids (e.g., trigonelline) – aid in insulin regulation and neuroprotection
  • Galactomannan fiber – supports blood sugar and satiety
  • Flavonoids, vitamins A, C, B6, and iron, magnesium, zinc

Health benefits and uses:

  • Regulates blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity, useful for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
  • Lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, supporting cardiovascular health
  • Stimulates appetite and digestion, relieving bloating and constipation
  • Enhances libido and testosterone levels, especially in men
  • Promotes lactation in breastfeeding women, often included in galactagogue formulas
  • Reduces inflammation, making it helpful for arthritis and gut issues
  • Supports hormonal balance in women, especially in PMS or perimenopause

Fenugreek is consumed as:

  • Tea or infusion from crushed seeds
  • Powdered seed in capsules or cooking
  • Sprouted seeds in salads
  • Extracts and tinctures, often standardized to saponin content

Historical Use:
Fenugreek has been used for over 3,000 years in systems like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and ancient Egyptian healing. In Ayurveda, fenugreek (methi) is seen as a warming, grounding herb that stimulates agni (digestive fire), balances vata and kapha, and supports reproductive health. In Unani medicine, it is used for diabetes, chest congestion, and womb tonification.

The ancient Egyptians used it for labor induction and embalming, while Greek and Roman physicians employed it to treat inflammation, infections, and digestive issues.

Today, fenugreek is widely used in functional nutrition, herbal medicine, and sports and women's health supplements, valued for its metabolic, hormonal, and digestive benefits—as well as its deep historical reputation as a strengthening and restorative herb.

Fenugreek is used for these health conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Amenorrhea (Traditional)
Appetite (deficient) (Traditional)
Breast Milk (dry up) (Traditional)
Breasts (enhance size) (Traditional)
Breasts (swelling and tenderness) (Traditional)
Cholesterol (high) (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Fat Metabolism (poor) (Traditional)
Fatigue (Traditional)
Fatty Liver Disease (Scientific)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Hypoglycemia (Scientific)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Inflammation (Traditional)
Menopause (Scientific)
Menstrual Irregularity (Traditional)
Nausea and Vomiting (Traditional)
Nursing (Traditional)
Pain (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for) (Traditional)
Sex Drive (low) (Scientific)
Sugar Cravings (Scientific)
Urinary Tract Infections (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)

fenugreek is used to support these body systems

Blood (Traditional)
Breasts (Traditional)
Circulatory System (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Female Reproductive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Male Reproductive System (Scientific)
Pancreas Head (Scientific)
Reproductive System (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Small Intestines (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
Uterus (Traditional)
Vagina (Traditional)