Fenugreek

What is it

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the legume family. Widespread throughout the Mediterranean area, it is found more frequently in coastal areas (it resists well to soil salinity), but also in foothill areas.

About fifty centimeters high, it has tripartite leaves reminiscent of clover. To this characteristic we owe the scientific name (Trigonella), while the vulgar name derives from its ancient use as fodder. The flowers, solitary, are white or yellow.

The fruit is a legume with rhomboid flat seeds that give off an intense hay smell, often considered unpleasant.

Seeds and leaves are rich in steroidal saponins (diosgenin, yamogenin), phytoestrogens (vitexin, quercetin, luteolin), alkaloids (trigonelline, gentianin), vitamins (PP, B, A and C complex), lysine, tryptophan, mineral salts (iron, phosphorus) and coumarins.

When it can be used

Tonic and restorative, it is useful during convalescence, in states of fatigue and in anemic ones. It also has an anabolic action that promotes muscle growth. And it has an anti-anemic action.

Reduces blood sugar levels and cholesteolemia.

Fenugreek flour poultices fight oily skin, boils and acne.

Guarana is also useful as a tonic and tonic. Read this interesting article.

Mechanism of action

During the intestinal transit of food, the saponins present in the plant bind to cholesterol, reducing its absorption.

As for sugars, their intestinal absorption is made difficult by the high amount of crude fibre and mucilaginous substances.

Anabolic steroid substances promote protein synthesis and the formation of muscle tissue, while phytoestrogens stimulate breast growth and milk production, which however takes on the characteristic smell of the plant, usually unwelcome to the infant.

The action on the hormonal system must also be attributed to the increase in hematopoiesis, i.e. the production of blood cells.

The complex of substances contained also stimulates the brain centers of hunger.

What it looks like

You can find it as a powder, dry extract, titrated fluid extract (the best formulation), preparation for infusion, to which other extracts (such as licorice) are often added to correct its flavor.

Posology

Dosage depends on titration. For the infusion, 1 teaspoon in 300 ml of boiling water or 1.5 grams of powder left to macerate for three hours in the equivalent of three cups of water, to be taken in two to three times during the day.

The daily dose of fluid extract ranges from 1 to 1.3 drops per kg of body weight, divided into two administrations about 30 minutes before the 2 main meals.

Precautions

Due to its richness in fiber and mucilage, it can reduce intestinal absorption of orally administered medications. The intake of fenugreek should therefore take place away from that of drugs.

It should not be taken during pregnancy as it stimulates uterine contractions.

Interactions

Due to their hypoglycaemic effect, fenugreek extracts should not be used in diabetic patients receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. In cases of concomitant intake, however, it is recommended to monitor blood glucose closely.

It should not be taken by patients who are on anticoagulation drugs because of its content in coumarin derivatives, which would expose them to the risk of bleeding.

It should not be taken in conjunction with the use of diuretics, laxatives and drugs that induce a reduction in potassium levels in the blood, due to the risk of arrhythmias.

Nutritional values

100 grams of fenugreek contain: