Fenugreek Leaves 50 g, 25 g

Fenugreek Leaves – 50 g ($7.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:
Used for centuries in Arabian, Greek, and Indian medicine (unani, sidha, and ayurveda), fenugreek contains potent antioxidants that have beneficial effects on the chemistry of the liver and pancreas. The herb also is used to ease digestive-tract disorders and to enlarge the breasts. Historically, it was used to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels and for respiratory ailments, and was applied topically for local inflammation, ulcers, and eczema. Although nursing mothers are sometimes told to take it to increase milk production, there is no indication that it promotes lactation. Chinese medicine uses the herb for treating pain in the lower abdomen, erectile dysfunction (ED), and hernia. Ayurvedic medicine uses it for fever, vomiting, anorexia, coughs, bronchitis, and colitis. It is approved by the German Commission E for loss of appetite (used internally) and inflammation of the skin (used externally as a poultice).

Diabetes. Compounds in fenugreek may help with blood sugar control. Mucilages (25 to 45 percent of the seeds) released from the herb coat the lining of the intestines and keep the stomach from emptying quickly, with the result that glucose enters the bloodstream more slowly after a meal. In addition, an amino acid present in fenugreek, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin in diabetic rats that received an intraperitoneal version. In humans, fenugreek increases the number of insulin binding sites, which enhances glucose utilization. Fenugreek also contains compounds that help muscle tissue and the liver respond better to insulin, acting in a manner similar to glimepiride (Amaryl) and the “glitazone” drugs, such as rosiglitazone (Avandia). Clinical studies in India have found that relatively large doses of fenugreek seeds (25 grams, or nearly an ounce per day) as an ingredient in bread for fifteen days resulted in a lower blood glucose response to a glucose tolerance test in people with type 2 diabetes. Overall, blood sugar levels were 11 percent lower when fenugreek was consumed compared to when it wasn’t.

Other Indian clinical studies have found that larger doses of fenugreek seeds, 100 grams (nearly 4 ounces) per day, have even more dramatic effects in people with type 1 diabetes. In one study, fenugreek treatment reduced the blood glucose levels in response to a glucose tolerance test and the excretion of glucose via the urine by 54 percent. This study also found that fenugreek lowered levels of low-density lipoprotein, (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol without affecting high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol.

Heart disease. One study showed that fenugreek lowers levels of LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes. Here, the participants consumed 25 grams of fenugreek in a soup for twenty-four weeks. Total blood holesterol and the “bad,” LDL, cholesterol decreased, as did serum triglycerides. It is thought that these favorable changes in blood lipids were a result of the galactomannan fiber and saponin components that reduce gastrointestinal absorption of cholesterol and increase bile acid excretion.

Recommended Use
Fenugreek is used as ground seeds, capsules, or teas. For internal use, the dose is 6 grams a day and external use is 50 grams of powder mixed in one-quarter liter of water (about one cup). Since fenugreek can interfere with iron absorption, people who have anemia should avoid it. (Unlike herbs that contain tannins, fenugreek contains mucilages that interfere with iron absorption, so taking lemon juice with fenugreek does not compensate for its tendency to bind iron as it does with some other herbs.) This herb also can alter balances of the various forms of thyroid hormones, so you should not use it if you take thyroid hormone. The use of more than 100 grams of fenugreek seeds daily can cause intestinal upset, flatulence, diarrhea, and nausea. Applying too much to the skin can cause undesirable skin reactions.

Fenugreek extracts have been shown to stimulate uterine contractions in animals. Therefore, pregnant women should not take fenugreek in dosages higher than are commonly used as a spice. Fenugreek can cause the urine to develop an odor that sometimes has been misdiagnosed as a hereditary condition known as maple syrup urine disease. If this occurs, you should discontinue the medicinal use of the herb and not use it in cooking for two to three days before being tested for this condition.

Studies conducted with laboratory animals in India suggest that fenugreek may be especially useful in helping people with type 1 diabetes use the trace element vanadium. If you are taking insulin or blood sugar–lowering medications for diabetes, fenugreek may enhance the effect of these therapies and lower blood sugar too far. It is advisable to seek your doctor’s supervision before combining fenugreek with other treatments for diabetes.

Fenugreek may potentiate the activity of anticoagulants and may interact with a class of drugs called MAOIs and hormonal agents.

Botanical Name: Trigonella foenum graecum
English: Kasuri Methi
Ayurvedic: Methikaa, Methi, Vastikaa, Selu, Methini, Dipani, Bahupatrikaa, Bodhaini, Gandhaphala
Unani: Hulbaa, Methi
Also, known as: Methya, Menthya, Vendayam, Vendhayam, Menthulu, Uluva, Uluhaal, Methi, Shanbalileh, Shembalita, Hilbeh, Halba, Hulba, Halbah, Hu lu ba, Menthe, Mente, Uluva, Mendium, Ventaiyam, Mentulu, Methini, Griechisches Bockshorn, Fenugrec, Fieno Greco, fenegriek, Abish, Fenegriek, Fenugrec, Bockshornklee, Trigonella, Fieno Greco, Koruha, Fenu-guriku, Horopa, Penigurik, Aholva, Fenogreco
Habitat: South Asia and Southeastern Europe
Origin: India
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Trigonella foenum graecum an aromatic, 2-3 feet tall, annual herb, bearing trifoliate light green leaves with toothed margins and small white flowers cultivated throughout India and also in the Middle East, North Africa and Egypt. It belongs to the Fabaceae family. The seedpods of this plant contain about 10 to 20 small, yellowish-brown, aromatic, and pungent seeds. These leaves have a much milder flavor than the seeds, tasting somewhat like a blend of fennel and celery.

It is an essential part of Indian spices and used in food not only for enhancing the taste of the food, but it also provides some preventive health benefits. Fenugreek seeds are most commonly used as medicine in Ayurveda as well as folk medicine. Fenugreek Seeds are indicated in most of the diseases, but the Fenugreek leaves are commonly used as a food additive. Fenugreek has been grown since ancient times for food medicinal purposes. It is an important spice and pulse in Ethiopia, the Middle East, China, and India. There are the different forms of these products which are methi means seeds, sag methi means fresh leaves and Kasuri methi means dried leaves.

Fenugreek is used mainly as a spice. Roasted and ground seeds are ingredients of pickles, chutneys, spice mixtures, and curry powders. Fenugreek leaves are an important spice in Indian cuisine and can be found in yeast bread called methi naan. Try mashing the leaves and sprinkling them over curries and dry vegetable dishes just before serving for an unforgettable flavor. The raw Fenugreek seeds have a bitter taste. However, they offer a more pleasant taste when cooked. The dried and ground seeds and dried leaves of fenugreek also known as Kasuri methi are the most commonly used parts of this plant in cooking as a spice and a flavoring agent.

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. SO you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.