sPOTLIGHT iNGREDIENT: fENUGREEK

For thousands of years, fenugreek has been used for culinary and wellness purposes within traditional Ayurvedic practices. Trigonella foenum-graecum is an annual herb in the pea family that has a unique flavor, which is sweet and slightly bitter. Fenugreek seeds have a notable aroma, reminiscent of maple. They are commonly used as a spice in Egyptian, Indian, and Middle Eastern foods. Fenugreek seed can be prepared as an infusion in tea blends and are delicious when added to curries and vegetarian dishes.

Fenugreek seed has been used in herbalism and for culinary purposes for millennia. It is most often utilized in Indian, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cuisine, but is used commercially as a flavoring agent in much of the world. Its delicate maple-like flavor makes it perfect for baked goods and confectionaries and also for creating imitation maple syrups. It has been utilized in traditional herbalism to support digestion, support lactation in nursing mothers, and as a topical application.

Fenugreek is an annual herb with light yellow flowers and three lobed, clover-like leaves, typical of the pea or Fabaceae family. Native to the Mediterranean region, the Ukraine, India, and China. The generic name, Trigonella, is derived from ancient Greek and means 'three-angled' in reference to the shape of the plant's corolla and the specific name, foenum-graecum, literally means 'Greek hay' as the plant was used to scent poor quality hay. Other common names include Greek clover, alholva (Spanish), methi or medhika (Ayurveda), and hu lu ba (Chinese).

Cultivated for commercial purposes extensively in Morocco, Turkey, India, China, and South America.

Cultivated in ancient Assyria as early as the seventh century B.C.E., fenugreek seeds have been appreciated for their beneficial and culinary properties for thousands of years by the people living in this area, in particular the Egyptians. Fenugreek was first mentioned in the Ebers papyri (ca. 1500 B.C.E.). In Cairo, the seeds were soaked and made into a paste which was referred to as 'helba.' This herbal remedy was also utilized in traditional Arabian, Greek, and Indian medicine. In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), fenugreek has been administered since at least eleventh century and is now official in the Chinese pharmacopeia. Considered bitter in taste and heating in nature, it is used to dispel dampness and cold and to warm the kidneys. Its main effects are on the kidney, lung, and large intestine meridians.

In traditional western herbalism, fenugreek seed has been used for many of the same purposes, particularly to support digestion and lactation in nursing mothers. Additionally, fenugreek is an emollient and makes a fine poultice for external use. Its mucilaginous qualities make it beneficial internally as well.

In India, the entire plant is considered edible, and the fresh leaves are cooked like spinach. In north India, dried leaves are added to a curry. The powdered seed smells of maple and butterscotch and in Indian cuisine is toasted in hot oil to further enhance the flavor. In southern India, it is added to fish curries and also used in sambar (vegetable lentil stew). Further, these ground seeds are used to add a maple flavor to food, beverages, candies, tobacco, imitation maple syrup, and also cosmetics and perfumes. The Commission E approved internal use of fenugreek as an appetite stimulant and for use externally as a poultice. Fenugreek is considered energetically heating with a pungent, bitter, and sweet taste.

Although fenugreek seeds have been used for sprouting, ours are harvested for their beneficial properties and not as sprouting seeds.

A herb whose leaves and seeds have been used since millennia. Fenugreek, commonly referred as ‘Methi’ in Hindi, ‘Menthulu‘ in Telugu, ‘Vendhayam‘ in Tamil, ‘Uluva‘ in Malayalam, ‘Menthe‘ in Kannada, ‘Meth‘ in Punjabi, ‘Methi Dane‘ in Marathi and ‘Methi‘ in Bengali, has made a permanent place for itself in many households. Traditionally, fenugreek seeds have been used as a condiment to promote better health and as a potent hair potion.

Fenugreek is extremely effective in strengthening the hair from the roots and treating follicular problems.

Fenugreek seeds have hormones that help promote hair growth. They are a good source of protein and nicotinic acid that strengthen the hair shaft and prevent breakage.

Fenugreek’s proteins, nicotinic acids and large amounts of lecithinare extremely effective in strengthening the hair from the roots and treating follicular problems. The seeds contain a hormone antecedent that improves hair growth and help in rebuilding the hair follicles. Also helps in moisturizing the hair and bringing back the luster and bounce.

Studies report that fenugreek in its various forms (whole seed powder, leaves, seeds or extracts) is effective in treating diabetes, high cholesterol, low lactation, respiratory ailments, wounds, inflammation, gastrointestinal ailments, pain, colds and even cancer.

Studies reporting even more advantages, such as protecting your eyes from cataracts, resulting from its dual ability to control elevated glucose levels. It soothes menstruation and menopausal problems and can help protect your stomach and liver from overuse of alcohol.

Fenugreek can cut the risk of cadmium’s detrimental effects on the testicles, as well as reduce aluminum toxicity, benefiting your kidneys, brain and bones.

Fenugreek is antibacterial, and contains antioxidants which may be part of the reason for its ability to reduce gallstone development, protect your kidneys, stimulate pituitary cell growth, treat thyroid problems, and protect your stomach because it helps generate gastric mucous.

Fenugreek seeds are galactagogue, meaning they stimulate lactation.

There are numerous reports that when men add fenugreek to their daily regimen of supplements, it may positively affect their testosterone levels, as well as the libido.