 |
 
|
Information about the herb Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum , also known as Bird's Foot, is part of the Leguminosae plant family. Indigenous to countries on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean and cultivated in India, Egypt and Morocco in Africa.
Botanical Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Plant Family: Leguminosae
Common Names: Bird's Foot, Bockshornklee, Greek Hayseed, Mayti (Indian)
History: The name comes from the Greek Trigonella, 'three-angled' (leaves) and Foenum-graecum, 'Greek Hay'.
Fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal plants, dating back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans who used it as a culinary and medicinal herb. It was also used by the famous herbalist, Rev. Kneipp for sore throat.
Gerard states: 'It is good to wash the head with a decoction of the seeds for it taketh away the scurfe, scales, nits......'.
Tradition:
- It was thought that if you added a few Fenugreek seeds to the water used to clean your household floors it would bring money into the household
Plant Constituents of Fenugreek
Contains:
- anti-inflammatory steroid-like substance
- betain
- bitter fixed oil
- Calcium
- Choline, an alkaloid
- Diosgenin (similar to estrogen)
- lecithin
- mucilage
- neurin
- nucleoalbumin
- organic iron
- phosphates
- proteids
- Trigonelline, an alkaloid
- trimethylamine
- volatile oil
- yellow coloring substance
Action:
- anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
- antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
- aphrodisiac [an agent for arousing or increasing sexual desire or potency]
- emollient [an agent used externally to soften and soothe]
- expectorant [an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous and secretions from the respiratory passages]
- febrifuge [an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]
- galactagogue [an agent that encourages or increases the secretion of milk]
- mucilaginous [characterized by a gummy or gelatinous consistency]
- nutritive [gives nourishment]
- restorative [an agent that restores consciousness or normal physiological activity]
- soothing
- stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy] (acts on the nervous system to stimulate the appetite)
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Medicinal Plants Used: Seeds
Fenugreek is used for:
Blood Conditions
- anemia
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- neurasthenia
Female Conditions
- relaxes the uterus
- stimulates breast development
- stimulates milk production in nursing mothers
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- comforts the stomach
- enteritis
- faulty digestion (soothes the intestinal canal)
- gastritis
- increases the appetite
- inflamed conditions of the stomach and intestines
- softens and expels mucous
- tonic effect on the digestion, particularly for convalescents
Liver Conditions
- counters cholesterol
- used by the liver for cholesterol metabolism
Metabolic Conditions
- helps aid diabetes
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- bronchitis
- dissolves mucous congestion
- kills infections in the lungs
- tuberculosis
- throat and chest disorders
Other
- debility after illness
- for weight gain
- prevents fevers (similar to quinine)
- reduces symptoms of fever (used with lemon and honey)
- rickets
- scrofula
- soothes and nourishes the body during illness
It is used as a gargle for:
- sore throat
Externally it is used as a poultice, ointment, plaster for:
- abscesses
- boils
- carbuncles
- fistulas
- gout pain
- inflamed or infected skin
- inflammations
- neuralgia
- sciatica
- skin irritations
- sores
- swollen glands
- tumors
- drawing out ulcers and swellings
- wounds
Other Uses:
- flavoring in confectionery
- spice in curry powder
- used to condition horses and cattle
Action:
- anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
- antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
- aphrodisiac [an agent for arousing or increasing sexual desire or potency]
- emollient [an agent used externally to soften and soothe]
- expectorant [an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous and secretions from the respiratory passages]
- febrifuge [an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]
- galactagogue [an agent that encourages or increases the secretion of milk]
- mucilaginous [characterized by a gummy or gelatinous consistency]
- nutritive [gives nourishment]
- restorative [an agent that restores consciousness or normal physiological activity]
- soothing
- stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy] (acts on the nervous system to stimulate the appetite)
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Caution:
- Fenugreek should not be taken by pregnant women because of its uterine properties.
Global Herbal Supplies has Fenugreek available in the following forms:
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
