The History Of Fenugreek In Herbal Medicine
Other Common Names: Alholva, Bird's Foot, Boyotu, Chinagreye,
Foenum Graecum, Greek Hay-seed, Halva, Helba, Hu Lu Pa, K'U Tou,
Kelabat, Koroha, Methi, Shimli, Sickle-fruit Fenugreek, Sicklefruit
Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum
Range: Europe - Austria; Belgium; Chile; China; Egypt; S.
France; Hungary; India; Iraq; Java; Malaya; Mediterranean; Spain;
Sudan; Turkey
Habitat: Field verges, uncultivated ground, dry grasslands and hillsides
The name comes from Foenum-graecum, meaning Greek Hay, the plant
being used to scent inferior hay. The name of the genus, Trigonella, is
derived from the old Greek name, denoting 'three-angled,' from the form
of its corolla. The seeds of Fenugreek have been used medicinally all
through the ages and were held in high repute among the Egyptians,
Greeks and Romans for medicinal and culinary purposes.
Fenugreek is much used in herbal medicine, especially in North
Africa, the Middle East and India. It has a wide range of medicinal
applications. The seeds are very nourishing and are given to
convalescents and to encourage weight gain, especially in anorexia
nervosa. The seeds should not be prescribed medicinally for pregnant
women since they can induce uterine contractions. Research has shown
that the seeds can inhibit cancer of the liver, lower blood cholesterol
levels and also have an antidiabetic effect.
The seed and leaves are anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory,
antitumor, carminative, demulcent, deobstruent, emollient, expectorant,
febrifuge, galactogogue, hypoglycemic, laxative, parasiticide,
restorative and uterine tonic. The seed yields a strong mucilage and is
therefore useful in the treatment of inflammation and ulcers of the
stomach and intestines. Taken internally, a decoction of the ground
seeds serves to drain off the sweat ducts.
The seed is very nourishing and body-building and is one of the most
efficacious tonics in cases of physical debility caused by anemia or by
infectious diseases, especially where a nervous factor is involved. It
is also used in the treatment of adult-onset diabetes, poor digestion
(especially in convalescence), insufficient lactation, painful
menstruation, labour pains etc. The seeds freshen bad breath and
restore a dulled sense of taste.
Externally, the seeds can be ground into a powder and used as a
poultice for abcesses, boils, ulcers, burns etc, or they can be used as
a douche for excessive vaginal discharge.
The leaves are harvested in the growing season and can be used fresh
or dried. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried for later
use. Compounds extracted from the plant have shown cardiotonic,
hypoglycemic, diuretic, antiphlogistic and hypotensive activity. One of
its constituent alkaloids, called 'trigonelline', has shown potential
for use in cancer therapy. The seed contains the saponin diosgenin, an
important substance in the synthesis of oral contraceptives and sex
hormones, whilst saponins in the plant have been extracted for use in
various other pharmaceutical products.
An essential oil is obtained from the seed - used as a food
flavoring and medicinally. The dried plant has a strong aroma of hay.
The crushed seed, mixed with oil and massaged into the scalp, is
recommended for glossy hair. An infusion of the seed, used as a skin
lotion, is said to be good for the complexion.
Known Hazards: The seed contains 1% saponins. Although
poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most
pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found
in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by
carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough
cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also remove
most of them. However, it is not advisible to eat large quantities of
food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some
creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put
large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or
kill the fish.
Other Common Names: Alholva, Bird's Foot, Boyotu, Chinagreye,
Foenum Graecum, Greek Hay-seed, Halva, Helba, Hu Lu Pa, K'U Tou,
Kelabat, Koroha, Methi, Shimli, Sickle-fruit Fenugreek, Sicklefruit
Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum
Range: Europe - Austria; Belgium; Chile; China; Egypt; S.
France; Hungary; India; Iraq; Java; Malaya; Mediterranean; Spain;
Sudan; Turkey
Habitat: Field verges, uncultivated ground, dry grasslands and hillsides
The name comes from Foenum-graecum, meaning Greek Hay, the plant
being used to scent inferior hay. The name of the genus, Trigonella, is
derived from the old Greek name, denoting 'three-angled,' from the form
of its corolla. The seeds of Fenugreek have been used medicinally all
through the ages and were held in high repute among the Egyptians,
Greeks and Romans for medicinal and culinary purposes.
Fenugreek is much used in herbal medicine, especially in North
Africa, the Middle East and India. It has a wide range of medicinal
applications. The seeds are very nourishing and are given to
convalescents and to encourage weight gain, especially in anorexia
nervosa. The seeds should not be prescribed medicinally for pregnant
women since they can induce uterine contractions. Research has shown
that the seeds can inhibit cancer of the liver, lower blood cholesterol
levels and also have an antidiabetic effect.
The seed and leaves are anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory,
antitumor, carminative, demulcent, deobstruent, emollient, expectorant,
febrifuge, galactogogue, hypoglycemic, laxative, parasiticide,
restorative and uterine tonic. The seed yields a strong mucilage and is
therefore useful in the treatment of inflammation and ulcers of the
stomach and intestines. Taken internally, a decoction of the ground
seeds serves to drain off the sweat ducts.
The seed is very nourishing and body-building and is one of the most
efficacious tonics in cases of physical debility caused by anemia or by
infectious diseases, especially where a nervous factor is involved. It
is also used in the treatment of adult-onset diabetes, poor digestion
(especially in convalescence), insufficient lactation, painful
menstruation, labour pains etc. The seeds freshen bad breath and
restore a dulled sense of taste.
Externally, the seeds can be ground into a powder and used as a
poultice for abcesses, boils, ulcers, burns etc, or they can be used as
a douche for excessive vaginal discharge.
The leaves are harvested in the growing season and can be used fresh
or dried. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried for later
use. Compounds extracted from the plant have shown cardiotonic,
hypoglycemic, diuretic, antiphlogistic and hypotensive activity. One of
its constituent alkaloids, called 'trigonelline', has shown potential
for use in cancer therapy. The seed contains the saponin diosgenin, an
important substance in the synthesis of oral contraceptives and sex
hormones, whilst saponins in the plant have been extracted for use in
various other pharmaceutical products.
An essential oil is obtained from the seed - used as a food
flavoring and medicinally. The dried plant has a strong aroma of hay.
The crushed seed, mixed with oil and massaged into the scalp, is
recommended for glossy hair. An infusion of the seed, used as a skin
lotion, is said to be good for the complexion.
Known Hazards: The seed contains 1% saponins. Although
poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most
pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found
in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by
carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough
cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also remove
most of them. However, it is not advisible to eat large quantities of
food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some
creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put
large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or
kill the fish.
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