Its origin dates back to ancient times when it was widely acclaimed and used as a medicinal herb.
Apart from its medicinal properties, another advantage of fenugreek seed is that it’s easily available, i.e. can be obtained in every health food store.
Great Nutritional Value
Fenugreek seeds are abundant in protein, minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients. For one thing, it’s a rich source of choline, neotigogenin, trigonelline diosgenin, tigogenin and jamogenin. From its valuable spectrum of minerals, copper, iron, magnesium and manganese have the highest content.
Healing Properties
This valuable seed can be used in many different ways.
Western herbal medicine uses it as tea for expelling excess mucus from the sinuses, throat, and chest.
This tea is also efficient against allergies and fever.
Plus, fenugreek is highly beneficial when used as an extract or powder. It improves liver and kidney metabolism and warms the body in general.
Fenugreek does wonders for the lining of the respiratory, digestive and urogenital tract. It can also reduce blood cholesterol after 10 days of application. You can use it as a supplement to your daily diet by adding two teaspoons a day in your yogurt, fruit juice or smoothie.
Useful In Treatment Of Diabetes And High Cholesterol
Fenugreek is extremely efficient for some health issues like diabetes and high cholesterol.
For one thing, it’s given excellent results in the treatment of diabetes. Due to the amino acid 4-hydroxy-isoleucine it contains, which controls the release of insulin, fenugreek restores the balance of sugar levels in both types of diabetes. Modern research also supports the traditional use of fenugreek in lowering and controlling blood sugar levels. According to some studies, an average of 50g fenugreek intake a day, leads to 30% improvement within 10 days.
Another thing fenugreek is helpful about is cardiovascular diseases, because it decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels and helps protect against atherosclerosis and hardening of the arteries.
To address cardiovascular issues, the recommended dose is 10-20gr a day.
An Excellent Tonic For Digestion
Fenugreek does several things regarding your digestive system: it can stimulate digestion, increase your appetite and eliminate excess mucus.
Fenugreek’s ingredients are beneficial for the intestinal mucosa, plus they reduce colic, cramps and bowel runs.
As a bitter tonic, it also improves the metabolism of the liver and spleen.
Fenugreek can treat serious indigestion, lack of appetite, weakness, colic, diarrhea as well as liver and spleen enlargement.
You should be aware that fenugreek has astringent and bitter taste.
Natural Breast Enlargement
Although it sounds incredible, fenugreek can stimulate breast augmentation in women because it contains phytoestrogens, which affects the growth of breasts and water retention in tissue. You can either massage your breasts or drink tea.
For breast massage, buy fenugreek seeds at any herbal pharmacy. Soak them in water overnight. In the morning, massage your breasts with the water.
For tea, soak two teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in 2dl cold water. Bring the water to a boil, cover it and leave it for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain the tea. Optionally, you can add some honey and fresh lemon to make the taste more palatable. Sip slowly. Drink a maximum of two cups a day.
Breastfeeding, PMS
Apart from the aesthetical aspect, it is also beneficial for breastfeeding mothers because it stimulates milk production, calms the infant, providing them with iron and helping them to gain weight.
These miraculous seeds also lessen PMS pain.
Due to its effect on the uterus, it’s recommended that pregnant women consume it a few days before labor, because it stimulates contractions and makes the very act of giving birth easier.
The Potency In Men
In addition to its health benefits for women, fenugreek seed is good for men too because of its high diosgenin content. Diosgenin boosts sex drive in men treating many sexual problems along the way.
External Application Of Fenugreek
Fenugreek is commonly used for external application. For one thing, it can be used as a coating for gout, fistulas, severe skin ulcers, and open feet wounds.
When used for skin care, it revives the skin and eliminates blemishes.
As a hair tonic, it prevents hair falling and treats infections caused by the fungus Achorion Schonlein.
For hair loss, you should massage your scalp with ground seeds mixed with olive oil.
Fenugreek Tea
Put 2tbsp seeds in 200g cold water. Bring it to a boil then leave it covered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain. Drink slowly, in small sips. Add honey and fresh lemon if you want to make the taste more pleasant. Drink slowly, in small sips.
When used as a compress, it helps with skin inflammation (boils, abscesses). It is also beneficial for respiratory issues, as well as for lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Fenugreek Powder
You can also grind the seeds into powder (this is more effective). Take half a teaspoon twice a day to improve digestion. Drink a tablespoon of ground fenugreek (with water), three times a day before meals to improve overall body function.
Fenugreek enema
For enema purposes, dilute half to one small teaspoon of freshly crushed seeds in 250g water and drink one to three times a day.
