Fenugreek - Side Effects, Uses and Benefits

What Is Fenugreek?

Fenugreek, an annual herb with small white flowers and light green leaves, is an herb. It is a member of the pea plant family (Fabaceae) but it is also known by Greek hay (Trigonella Foenum-graecum).

 

Fenugreek plants are about 2 to 3 feet tall. Seed pods have 10-20 small yellow-brown, pungent, aromatic seeds.

 

Fenugreek seed have a bitter taste similar to celery or maple syrup. They are used in medicine. However, it has a far more pleasant taste when cooked.

 

Fenugreek is most commonly used for its graecum seeds. These are typically dried and ground. The leaves are often used in cooking as well.

 

Fenugreek is a natural remedy for inflammation. It can be taken orally. In manufacturing, fenugreek extracts can be found in soaps and cosmetics.

 

Fenugreek oil and extract are noted in "Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety" as having antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antitumorigenic properties. It is cultivated in India, North Africa, Egypt, and the Middle East. It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

 

The fenugreek herb acts as a gum and an emulsifier, making it useful as a stabilizer as well as thickening agent for food. It is also used as an ingredient in food preparation to add flavor and spice.

 

Nutrition Facts

One tablespoon of fenugreek leaves contains:

 

35.5 calories

6.4 grams carbohydrates

2.5 grams protein

0.7% of fat

Fiber: 2.7g

3.7mgs iron (20% DV).

0.1 milligram manganese (7 percent DV)

Copper, 0.1 milligram (6 percent DV).

21 mgs of magnesium (5 percent DV).

32.6 milligrams phosphorus (3 percent DV)

0.1 milligram vitamin B6 (3 percent DV)

Health Benefits

Although more research is required to confirm all the benefits of this herb, it has been proven to be beneficial for many health problems. These are the nine most well-known fenugreek health benefits.

 

1. This can help improve your digestion and reduce cholesterol

This herb is good for digestive problems such as constipation, upset stomach, and inflammation. Research has shown that fenugreek's water-soluble fiber, which is also found in other foods, can help relieve constipation.

 

It is also known to improve digestion. This herb is often used in diet plans for ulcerative colitis because of its anti-inflammatory benefits. This herb may be beneficial to those suffering from heart disease, such as hardening or high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

 

It may also help diabetics. In fact, a study out of India showed that administering 2.5 grams of fenugreek supplement twice daily for three months to people dealing with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus significantly lowered cholesterol naturally, along with triglycerides, without affecting HDL cholesterol.

 

2. The Body Combats Inflammation

Fenugreek is a natural remedy for inflammation, which can lead to health problems and diseases such as:

 

Mouth ulcers

Boils

Bronchitis

Infection of the tissues beneath the surface of the skin

Tuberculosis

Chronic coughs

Cancer

Kidney disease

In addition to its potential preventative effects with these conditions, this herbal remedy is thought to lower blood sugar and may be useful for many conditions, including management of metabolic and nutritive disorders, such as diabetes. A 2017 study concluded that "a simple complementary addition of fenugreek seeds can have a synergistic effect along with diet control and exercise on fasting blood glucose."

 

Patients with type 2 diabetes were given 10 grams of the seeds, soaked in hot water each day.

 

Fenugreek is believed to slow down the absorption of sugars from the stomach and increase insulin. Traditional Chinese Medicine calls Fenugreek a "phlegm-mover" because it is said to help break down stuck energies, and decrease inflammation.

 

International Immunopharmacology published research on the anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant effects of Fenugreek Mucilage on arthritis rats. It also confirmed its ability to reduce inflammation. This research also "demonstrated a potential beneficiary effect of Fenugreek Mucilage on adjuvant-induced Arthritis in Rats," suggesting that this herb could be used as a natural arthritis treatment.

 

3. Helps Increase Libido in Men

Some fenugreek uses for men include treating hernias, erectile dysfunction and other male problems, such as baldness. This is because it can increase sexual arousal or testosterone levels.

 

It is best to consult a doctor before you use natural therapies to treat disease or improve sexual performance. However, fenugreek seeds, fenugreek tea, and tablets have been shown by studies to increase sexual desire, performance, and naturally cure impotence.

 

A study published in Phytotherapy Research found that 60 men aged between 25 and 52 with no history or erectile dysfunction received either a placebo, 600 mgs of fenugreek extract daily for six weeks.

 

The participants completed self-evaluations and noted the effects of fenugreek on their libidos. The study concluded that fenugreek extract had a significant effect on sexual arousal and energy, and helped participants maintain their normal testosterone levels.

 

4. Encourages breastfeeding by increasing milk flow

Fenugreek can also be used to help breastfeeding mothers who have low milk supply. It can increase breast milk production because it acts as a galactagogue.

 

Galactagogues are substances that help with increasing milk supply. They stimulate the milk ducts and can increase milk production in as little as 24 hours.

 

Although more research is required to confirm the safety and efficacy of fenugreek in breast milk production, there are several scientific studies that have been published in scientific journals that support its use in increasing milk flow.

 

Although this is a potential fenugreek seeds benefit for women, researchers generally recommend that seeking help from a lactation consultant should be your first course of action if you're having issues with breast milk production.

 

5. It can be used to treat skin, scalp and wound issues

Fenugreek can be used externally to treat inflammation and reduce internal inflammation. Research indicates that this reduces external inflammation and can treat:

 

Swelling and pain in the lymph nodes and muscles

Gout

Wounds

Leg ulcers

Sciatica

Dandruff

Eczema

To ensure the area does not become further inflamed or burn, it is important to first test it.

 

Hair benefits can also be attributed to fenugreek. Although limited research has been done, it is believed that fenugreek and fenugreek seed paste can be used to enhance hair texture and promote hair growth.

 

6. Adds flavor and spice

Fenugreek powder can be used in food as an ingredient in spice mixtures. It is most commonly found in Indian cuisines such as curried dishes. It's also used as a flavoring agent in imitation maple syrup, foods, beverages and tobacco.

 

Fenugreek leaves can also be used in salads. Fresh and dried leaves can also be used in Indian cooking.

 

7. It helps increase appetite

Fenugreek is not only a flavor enhancer, but it also has appetite stimulators that can be used to improve digestion and other nutritive properties.

 

A study published in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior was designed to investigate the effects of a fenugreek seed extract on feeding behavior. Experiments were done to determine how much food was consumed and what motivates people to eat.

 

The results showed that chronic oral administration of the fenugreek extract significantly increased food intake and the motivation to eat. However, the report did not show that the treatment can prevent or reduce anorexia.

 

8. May enhance exercise performance

Journal of Sports Science and Medicine published a study examining the effects of creatine and fenugreek oils supplementation on strength and physique in men.

 

Forty-seven men who had been resistance-trained were then divided into two different groups based upon their body weight. The dextrose placebo was given to each group, along with five grams of creatine (70 grams) and 70 grams dextrose. Each group also received 3.5 grams of creatine (900 milligrams) and eight weeks of periodized resistance-training.

 

Participants were evaluated on their body composition, muscle endurance, and anaerobic ability. The creatine/fenugreek group showed significant increases in lean mass, bench press and leg press strength.

 

Study concluded that creatine supplementation with fenugreek oil supplementation had a significant effect on body composition and upper body strength as well as dextrose.

 

This is why it's so good. This is why fenugreek is so good.

 

9. Increases blood sugar

A clinical trial found that consuming fenugreek leaves soaked in hot water can be a complementary treatment for type 2 diabetes.

 

In the eight-week study, 11 participants consumed hot water-soaked fenugreek nuts, and seven consumed yogurt-mixed fenugreek nuts over the same period. Participants who ate hot water soaked seeds showed significantly higher blood glucose levels than those who ate yogurt mixed with them.

 

What is fenugreek exactly? - Dr. Axe

How to Use (Plus Recipes).

Fenugreek is a well-known medicinal and culinary herb that has been used for centuries. Fenugreek is used to cook, stimulate milk production and for traditional remedies such as diabetes and lack of appetite.

 

It's also applied to the skin and hair to reduce inflammation.

 

Here are some of these most common uses for plants:

 

Breast milk production: Fenugreek supplements or tea may help boost breast milk production, especially in the days immediately following child birth.

Digestive issues: Fenugreek seed powder, tea or supplements can help with constipation, upset stomach, and loss of appetite.

Inflammation: Fenugreek extract can be applied topically as a poultice to reduce inflammation and pain.

Cholesterol: Although there is mixed evidence, using fenugreek seed powder or supplements may help reduce high cholesterol levels.

Skin health: Fenugreek oil or seed powder can be used topically to improve skin health and reduce inflammatory disease symptoms.

Hair health: To use as an herbal remedy for your hair, combine fenugreek seed powder with coconut oil or aloe vera and massage the mixture into your scalp. Let it sit for five to 10 minutes before you rinse.

Exercise performance: While there are mixed results regarding fenugreek's effects on testosterone levels, eight-week supplementation with the plant may increase exercise performance and reduce body fat.

Sources: https://www.amazon.com/vdp/0a90d82c3e3e443bab52e29089508781 Fenugreek Capsules Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UP8I644 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fenugreek-Capsules-Kosher-Vegan-Fenugreek-Seed-Powder-Herbal-Supplements-Brown-Glass-Bottle-90-Caps-575-mg/732556221 https://www.facebook.com/notes/healthy-deal-club/fenugreek-capsules-by-pure-mountain-botanicals/3074565145941611/ https://twitter.com/PureMtn/status/1237392325396942850 https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6643158794098536448 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/542120873897929790 https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1T8F56999K6K2 Fenugreek capsules organic https://puremountain.com/products/organic-fenugreek-capsules