English name: Fenugreek

Sanskrit name: Methika

Family: Leguminosae

Part used: Seeds, Leaves, Entire plant

Traditional uses: "Fenugreek is an esteemed medicine in North Africa, the Middle East, and India, being used for a wide variety of conditions. The nourishing seeds are given during convalescence and to encourage weight gain, especially in anorexia.

Helpful in lowering fever, it is compared to quinine by some authorities. The seeds’ soothing effect makes them of value in treating gastritis and gastric ulcers.

They are used to induce childbirth and to increase breast-milk production. They are also used to lower blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels. Externally, the seeds are applied as a paste to treat abscesses, boils, ulcers, and burns, or used as a douche for excessive vaginal discharge. The seeds freshen bad breath and help restore a dulled sense of taste. The oil in the seeds is used as a skin softener and emollient.
In China, the seeds are used as a pessary to treat cervical cancer. In the Middle East and the Balkans, the aerial parts are a folk remedy for abdominal cramps associated with both menstrual pain and diarrhea or gastroenteritis. They are also used to ease labour pains. Herbalists in Asia and the Mediterranean often recommend fenugreek to stimulate contractions in delayed or sluggish labour. "

Phytochemistry: The plant contains a number of steroidal sapogenins, specially diosgenin found in the oily embryo. Two furastanol glycosides, F-ring opened precursors of diosgenin have been reported, as also hederagin glycosides. The alkaloid trigonelline, trigocoumarin, trimethyl coumarin and nicotinic acid are also present. Mucilage is a prominent constituent of the seeds.

Pharmacology: "The seeds of this commonly used spice contain about 50 percent fiber, of which 20 percent is mucilaginous fiber similar to guar gum, which is a known hypoglycemic agent. The protein fraction of the seeds contains the amino acid 4-hydroxyleucine which has been proven to timulate insulin production. Saponins present in fenugreek seeds have also been shown to lower cholesterol levels in human subjects. Recent studies have revealed the efficacy of defatted fenugreek seed extracts in the anagement of both Type I and Type II diabetes. Administration of defatted fenugreek seed powder for a period of three weeks significantly improved the performance of Type II diabetes patients in the glucose tolerance test. Additional beneficial effects included lowered urinary sugar and reduced serum cholesterol levels. Some of the patients under treatment also reduced their insulin requirements from 56 units per day to 20 units per day. This effect was found to be sustained and lasting with no undesirable side effects. Within the duration of this study, there were no new incidences of heart problems such as angina and myocardial infarction and no increases in blood pressure, indicating that fenugreek may be helpful in preventing the secondary complications of diabetes such as hyperlipidemia and therosclerosis."

Marker constituents: Tribulosin, Saponins.