Fenugreek Seeds

English Name : Fenugreek Seeds
Common Indian Name (Hindi): Methi Seeds

• Fenugreek seeds are small stony hard, yellowish brown and angular seeds from the pod of a bean-like plant, which belongs to family Fabaceae. They are powerful, aromatic and bittersweet, like burnt sugar. There is a bitter aftertaste, similar to celery or lovage.
• The Fenugreek seeds are used as a spice for flavoring a number of cuisines The major use is in curry powders, figuring in many mixtures, especially vindaloo and the hot curries of Sri Lanka. It is an ingredient of Panch phoron, the Indian five-spice mixture and products like sauces, curry powders, pickles and other spicy dishes.
• Fenugreek relieves congestion, reduces inflammation and fights infection.
• Fenugreek contains natural expectorant properties ideal for treating sinus and lung congestion, and loosens & removes excess mucus and phlegm.
• Fenugreek is also an excellent source of selenium, an anti-radiant that helps the body utilize oxygen. It is a natural source of iron, silicon, sodium and thiamine.
• Acting as an expectorant, Fenugreek alleviates coughing, stimulates perspiration to reduce fevers, and is beneficial for treating allergies, bronchitis and congestion.
• Fenugreek seed is widely used as a galactagogue (milk producing agent) by nursing mothers to increase inadequate breast milk supply.
• Supplements of fenugreek seeds were shown to lower serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein in human patients and experimental models of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia (Basch et al., 2003).
• Several human intervention trials demonstrated that the antidiabetic effects of fenugreek seeds ameliorate most metabolic symptoms associated with type-1 and type-2 diabetes in both humans and relevant animal models (Basch et al., 2003; Srinivas, 2005).