Fenugreek - Benefits and Side Effets |
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Fenugreek is an annual herb with trifoliate leaves and it can grow to be about two feet tall. It blooms white flowers tinged with violet in the early summer. The flowers develop into long brown pods which contain the fenugreek seeds. The seeds give away strong special aroma.
Fenugreek is utilized all around the world for various uses from culinary, medicinal, to even hay for animals. Some countries use Fenugreek for its fragrant properties in fragrances. The fenugreek seed is used more than any part of the plant.
Fenugreek Benefits
Fenugreek had quite the reputation and considered a cure for many aliments such as indigestion, respiratory infections, skin wounds and inflammation, kidney disorders, arthritis, and other numerous complaints. Today, the benefits of fenugreek continue a boastful reputation among the medicinal herbal healers.
Culinary uses include pickles, curry spices, chutneys, young salad greens, pot herb, and fenugreek extract is even used to make imitation maple syrup. Its most widely used application is Indian curries. Indian food uses a lot of curry powders that bring more flavors to otherwise bland food. In curry powder, you will find a mix of herbs including cardamom, pepper turmeric, cinnamon, cumin.
Oriental cooking also uses it as an ingredient in oriental sauces. Other unusual places that fenugreek will show up include ice creams, caramel, icing, chewing gum etc.
It can also be applied to the skin to treat inflammation. It soaks into the skin to help reduce swelling, redness, and even pain on the skin. Therefore it is used to treat skin conditions such as sunburns, boils & abscesses, acne, and eczema.
Many people like to drink fenugreek as a tea. Some places make "fenugreek coffee" from roasted seeds.
Commonly used in sprouts. Fenugreek sprouts are packed with Vitamins A, B, C, & E. Most people don't like them to green out before consuming as sprouts.
Fenugreek has been used for skin irritation, such as ulcers, boils, eczema, dandruff and cellulite.
It has been used through the ages to increase sexual desire both in men and women and has been used for premature ejaculation.
Fenugreek Helps Milk Production
Fenugreek seeds contain hormone precursors that can increase milk production in nursing mothers and it is widely used for insufficient lactation.
Medicinally, this herb has phytoestrogens and is famous as a breast milk stimulant in helping mothers lactate. It is considered a galactagogue in that it helps increase lactating women's milk supplies.
Fenugreek Diabetes Aid
It is also a potent diabetes herbal remedy in that it helps to bring down the blood sugar levels of both type 1 & 2 patients consuming it. The sugar levels are thought to drop blood glucose because the seeds are rich in dietary fiber. The fiber contributes to the lowering of blood sugar spikes.
Fenugreek Control Cholesterol Levels
In recent studies it has also been found to help lower elevated cholesterol as well as triglyceride blood levels. The good thing is that it doesn’t lower the beneficial high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the blood. Lowering cholesterol is one of the top issues in American health these days.
Herbal Uses of Fenugreek
Fenugreek is great for anyone having issues with any sort of gastrointestinal inflammation such as acid reflux. It will coat & soothe the stomach & intestine lining.
It is thought to have some weight loss properties because it supports glucose and carbohydrate metabolism.
* Fenugreek have anti-aging properties
Fenugreek seeds are mostly used internally to ease digestive-tract disorders and externally to soothe and promote healing of minor skin wounds and infections. It is also used internally to relieve bronchial congestion, calm coughs, and to ease menstrual and menopausal complaints.
In China, Fenugreek seeds are called Hu Lu Ba where it is thought to help kidney function, common cold, relieve pain, joint pain, & help with hernias.
Natural Cure for Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Fenugreek seeds contain a lot of mucilage, which helps sooth gastrointestinal inflammation by coating the lining of the stomach and intestine. Therefore, for an effective remedy against heartburn or Acid Reflux, simply sprinkle 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds onto your food. Another option is to take one teaspoon of seeds and swallow them with water or juice before any meal.
Breast Enlargement
Fenugreek is often used in many teas and other products that help balance women's hormones and/or enlarge the breasts. Therefore, a simple home remedy for breast enlargement is to make Fenugreek a part of your regular diet. A common suggestion is to consume up to 3g of Fenugreek per day.
Reduce menstrual discomfort :Fenugreek is considered as a potent menstruation ease promoter.
Remedy to Ease Child Birth for Pregnant Women
Fenugreek stimulates uterine contractions and can be helpful to induce childbirth. However, pregnant women should only use this remedy for inducing labor after consulting with their doctor.
Reduces cardiovascular risk
Fenugreek seed contains 25 percent galactomannan. This is a type of natural soluble fibre. This reduces cardiovascular diseases.
Relieve constipation
Fenugreek adds bulk to the stool. So, it is helpful to treat constipation and diarrhoea and also relieves minor indigestion.
Prevent colon cancer
Fenugreek possesses anticarcinogenic potential. The steroid diosgenin in Fenugreek is colon cancer preventive.
Fenugreek Benefits Nutritionally
Fenugreek seeds are very nutritious. They contain protein, potassium, niacin, vitamin C, and the phytoestrogen known as diosgenin. It also has some other constituents in more minute amounts including the amino acids lysine and L-tryptophan, alkaloids, and a host steroidal saponins.
With the great benefits of Fenugreek, It may also have some side effects for the human body if consume in large quantity:
Side Effects of Fenugreek
The only side effect seen in people taking high doses of fenugreek is the mild gastro intestinal distress.
Fenugreek use during pregnancy is not recommended, since it has the potential to induce labor. If you are pregnant and wish to take it, you should do so only after consultation with your doctor.
If you are currently taking any oral medications, you should always use this herb at least 2 hours before or after these drugs. This is important since Fenugreek fiber has the potential to interfere with the absorption of oral medications due to its mucilaginous fiber.
Fenugreek appears to be safe at recommended dosages. However, high doses of over 100 grams daily may cause nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach. In addition, fenugreek can cause a maple syrup odor in urine and sweat.
Fenugreek can interfere with iron absorption so people who have anemia should avoid it. And, it is not recommended to those who take thyroid hormone since the herb can alter balances of various forms of thyroid hormones.
People who have asthma, allergies, and diabetes should consult a physician before taking any fenugreek supplements.
Just like anything, it needs to be used in moderation with the advice of a certified herbalist.
To reap the full benefits of fenugreek, always consult a physician if you're on medications or have a health condition before taking any dietary supplement, including fenugreek.
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| Posted By : san |
Posted On:12-02-2012 |
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