The herbal and health information provided in this Web Site is intended as historical information only. The historical uses are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nothing listed within this Web Site should be considered as medical advice for dealing with a given problem. You should consult your health care professional for individual guidance for specific health problems. Persons with serious medical conditions should always seek professional care.
Fenugreek is an annual plant widely cultivated for both medicinal and culinary uses. A long taproot sends up a round stem with a few branches. The leaves are trifoliate, on hairy petioles, with obovate leaflets. In June and July, axillary, sessile, yellowish flowers appear. The fruit is a 16 seeded, compressed, malodorous legume.
Fenugreek has been used historically as an expectorant, mucilaginous, and restorative. Fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal plants, dating back to the ancient Egyptians and Hippocrates. Large amounts of the decoction were given to strengthen those suffering from tuberculosis or recovering from an illness. It has also been taken for bronchitis or fevers and gargled for sore throat. Fenugreek has at times been, and sometimes still is, considered an aphrodisiac. Make a poultice of pulverized seeds for gouty pains, neuralgia, sciatica, swollen glands, wounds, furuncles, fistulas, tumors, sores, and skin irritations.
Fenugreek seed, according to European research, may be a good agent for reducing serum cholesterol. And, like Pectin, Fenugreek seeds may be an important support remedy for diabetes. Fenugreek seeds contain a certain portion of mucilaginous fiber with high viscosity. The herb affects cholesterol levels in the same fashion as Pectin. Fenugreek also contains saponins. The saponin-containing plant fibers could inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol much the same as Alfalfa saponins do (i.e. by absorbing bile acids, and increasing the loss of bile acids by fecal excretion, which then leads to an increased conversion of cholesterol into bile acid by the liver).
(This herbal ingredient can be purchased from Viable Herbal Solutions in powdered and capsule form as part of our Single Herb sales program, and in capsule form as part of our Combo Herbs sales programs.)
