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Fenugreek | | Name : | Fenugreek | | Botanical : | Foenum-graecum | | Ayurvedic : | Methi | | Latin : | Trigonella foenum-graecum L. | | Synonyms : | Fenugreekseeds
Hu-lu-ba(Chinese name)
Hu-lu-pa(Chinese name)
K'u-tou(Chinese name)
Methi(Sanskrit name)
| | Family : | Leguminosae | | Parts Used : | Seeds | | Habitat : | Cultivated | | Picture : |  | | Description : | 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 an erect annual herb, growing about 2 feet high, similar in habit to Lucerne. The seeds are brownish, about 1/8 inch long, oblong, rhomboidal, with a deep furrow dividing them into two unequal lobes. They are contained, ten to twenty together, in long, narrow, sickle-like pods.
Taste, bitter and peculiar, not unlike lovage or celery. Odour, similar. | | Constituents : | About 28 per cent mucilage; 5 per cent of a stronger-smelling, bitter fixed oil, which can be extracted by ether; 22 per cent proteids; a volatile oil; two alkaloids, Trigonelline and Choline, and a yellow colouring substance. The chemical composition resembles that of cod-liver oil, as it is rich in phosphates, lecithin and nucleoalbumin, containing also considerable quantities of iron in an organic form, which can be readily absorbed. Reutter has noted the presence of trimethylamine, neurin and betain; like the alkaloids in cod-liver oil, these substances stimulate the appetite by their action on the nervous system, or produce a diuretic or ureo-poietic effect. | | Uses : | In Cairo it is used under the name of Helba. This is an Egyptian preparation, made by soaking the seeds in water till they swell into a thick paste. Said to be equal to quinine in preventing fevers; is comforting to the stomach and has been utilized for diabetes. The seeds are soaked in water, then allowed to sprout, and when grown about 2 or 3 inches high, the green eaten raw with the seeds.
The seeds yield the whole of their odour and taste to alcohol and are employed in the preparation of emollient cataplasms, ointments and plasters.
They give a strong mucilage, which is emollient and a decoction of 1 OZ. seeds to 1 pint water is used internally in inflamed conditions of the stomach and intestines. Externally it is used as a poultice for abscesses, boils, carbuncles, etc. It can be employed as a substitute for cod-liver oil in scrofula, rickets, anaemia, debility following infectious diseases. For neurasthenia, gout and diabetes it can be combined with insulin. It possesses the advantage of being cheap and readily taken by children, if its bitter taste is disguised: 1 or 2 teaspoonful of the powder is taken daily in jam, etc.
The ground seeds are used also to give a maple-flavouring to confectionery and nearly all cattle like the flavour of Fenugreek in their forage. The powder is also employed as a spice in curry. At the present day, the ground seeds are utilized to an enormous extent in the manufactures of condition powders for horses and cattle; Funugreek is the principal ingredient in most of the quack nostrums which find so much favour among grooms and horsekeepers. It has a powerful odour of coumarin and is largely used for flavouring cattle foods and to make damaged hay palatable.
In India the fresh plant is employed as an esculent. | | Dosage : | Boil some fenugreek seed in 8 oz. warm water. Make a thick paste.Apply the resulting hot mash to boils, abscesses, irritations, etc.This will soften the spot and draw the pus to the surface, enablingdischarge of it.
Decoction: use 2 tsp. seed with 1 cup cold water; let standfor 5 hours. Then heat and boil for 1 minute. Take 2 or 3 cups perday. Improve the taste with peppermint oil, lemon extract, honey,or sugar.
For flatulence: for stomach or intestinal gas, sprinkle powderedfenugreek over food or drink a tea (1 tsp. seeds to 1 cup boilingwater, steep 15 minutes, strain) with meals.
Gargle: mix 1 tbsp. of pulverized seeds in 8 oz. of boilingwater. Steep for 10 minutes, strain. Gargle 3 times daily (every 3to 4 hours) to relieve sore throat. | | Safety : | A uterine stimulant; should be avoided during pregnancy. The aerialparts may be used during labor.
Insulin-dependent diabetics should seek professional medical advicebefore using fenugreek as a hypoglycemic. | | Myths : | Fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal plants, dating back to theancient Egyptians and Hippocrates. The botanical name (foenum-graecum)means 'Greek hay.'
In ancient Egypt, fenugreek was used to ease childbirth and to increasemilk flow. Today, it is still taken by Egyptian women for menstrualpain and as hilba tea to ease stomach problems of tourists.
Introduced into the southern provinces of China, the beans were inuse as a medicine since the time of the Tang dynasty. Usually parchedor boiled, and given with aloes, anise-seed and other substances asa tonic.
Best known in India and among the people around the MediterraneanSea, the seeds have a flavor somewhat like maple sugar and an extractis used to make artificial maple flavor. Fenugreek is an ingredientin chutneys and used in some curry blends. The roasted seeds are usedas an adulterant and as a coffee substitute.
Burkill stated, 'The seeds, after roasting, are eaten in Egypt, andin ancient Egypt were regarded as medicinal and were used in religiousrites. They contain mucilage, sugars, an alkaloid--trigonellin, whichis not poisonous--cholin and a scented compound.'
A study in India involving insulin-dependent diabetics on low dosesof insulin, pulverized fenugreek seeds were shown to reduce bloodsugar and other harmful fats. The authors of the study suggest addingfenugreek seeds to the diets of diabetics.
In recent years, fenugreek is used as a beverage. Used in Europein many veterinary preparations. | | Nutrient : | Protein, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, and D.
The aromatic oil of fenugreek is rich in iron, vitamins A and D (similarin composition to cod liver oil). | | Sold : | Seed sold in whole or powder form.
Capsules: take 1 capsule for up to 3 times daily.
Tablets: 8 to 10 per day. |
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