General Description
Fenugreek is an erect annual herb, growing up to 60 centimeters
in height, native to western Asia and the Mediterranean region.
It has compound, clover-like leaves composed of three oblong, toothed
leaflets, which are 2 to 5 centimeters long. Fenugreek flowers in
midsummer, with white, pea-like blossoms, about 1.25 centimeters
in length. The plant bears narrow, crescent-shaped pods, 5 to 8
centimeters in length, which contain 10 to 20 smooth brown seeds.
Fenugreek seeds, which are commonly used as a spice, are slightly
bitter, combining the flavors of celery and maple.
Health Applications
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Cardiovascular health
History and Traditional Use
Fenugreek seeds have been used for culinary and medicinal purposes
since ancient times. Internally, the seeds have been used to treat
a wide range of conditions including diabetes, anemia, gastrointestinal
complaints, fever, and gout.1 Poultices made
from the seeds have been used to treat wounds, boils, and ulcers.2
The entire plant was commonly used as a forage crop; in fact,
fenugreek's latin name, foenum-graecum, means "Greek hay," referring
to the use of fenugreek to disguise the scent of inferior or moldy
fodder.2 Fenugreek seeds are popular as a
spice to this day, used to flavor meats, vegetables, and poultry
and as an ingredient in chutney, halvah, and curries.
Chemical Composition
A rich source of dietary fiber, fenugreek seeds contain about
40 percent mucilage, a substance whose binding properties made
the herb popular for making poltices and ointments. The seeds
contain a number of other compounds with therapeutic potential,
including nicotinic acid, coumarin, trigonelline, and steroidal
saponins.3
Diabetes
In India, fenugreek seeds have long been used as a treatment for
diabetes, and modern research indicates there may be some value
to this traditional application. In one study conducted on people
with noninsulin-dependent (type II) diabetes, the addition of
15 grams of fenugreek seed to a meal significantly lowered after-meal
blood sugar levels.4 In another study conducted
on subjects with insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes, 100 grams
of defatted fenugreek seed powder per day significantly reduced
fasting blood sugar levels and improved glucose tolerance. Serum
triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol were also significantly
reduced.5 However, most studies on fenugreek
and diabetes have been small in scale and poorly controlled. Large-scale,
placebo-controlled trials are needed before the usefulness of
fenugreek for diabetes treatment can be confirmed.
Cholesterol/Cardiovascular Health
Preliminary research suggests fenugreek seeds may help promote
cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels. In one study,
germinated fenugreek powder given to 20 people with high cholesterol
levels reduced total serum cholesterol and LDL levels after 30
days.6 However, large-scale, controlled trials
on the cholesterol-lowering capabilities of fenugreek seeds are
lacking.
Dosage/Toxicity
Fenugreek seeds are used widely as a spice and are not associated
with any toxicity. Germany's Commission E recommends 6 grams of
fenugreek seeds (or equivalent preparations) to stimulate appetite.7
As much as 100 grams per day of defatted fenugreek powder has
been used to treat diabetes in clinical trials with no serious
side-effects.5 Repeated external applications
may cause undesirable skin reactions.7 People
with diabetes who take fenugreek seeds should have their blood
sugar levels monitored closely by a healthcare professional. |
