Fenugreek is one of the world’s oldest medicinal herbs. In fact, there is some evidence of fenugreek seeds being used as far back as 4000 BC. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all used Fenugreek for various purposes.
Fenugreek is both a spice and an herb. The dried leaves (herb) and the seeds (spice) are both used from the plant for various culinary and medicinal needs. This plant is indigenous to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It also grows in Egypt, England, India, and Morocco. It grows to a height of around two feet and it blooms white flowers in the summer. The taste and odor of fenugreek resembles maple syrup.
Advocates claim that its use provides a huge list of health benefits. Some of the most prominent claims include using fenugreek as a treatment for diabetes, high cholesterol, heartburn, stomach upset, constipation, gout, fever and even baldness. It is also widely used in helping to increase breast milk production in nursing mothers.
Although more evidence and scientific study is still needed to prove or disprove the many claimed health benefits of fenugreek there are a few things we do know for sure.
Fenugreek appears to slow absorption of sugars in the stomach and stimulate insulin. Both of these effects can help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. In clinical trials, fenugreek seed reduced fasting blood sugar levels in patients with both type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (insulin resistant) diabetes.
When the seeds are eaten, they release mucilage. Mucilage is a thick, gluey substance produced by nearly all plants. The thick substance forms a protective coating on the lining of the stomach and intestine which sometimes helps to sooth an upset stomach.
It has been found that fenugreek can increase a nursing mother’s milk supply within 24 to 72 hours after first taking the herb. There is no reliable clinical research that supports the use of this herb, although there is significant strong evidence that breastfeeding mothers who use it have good success.
It seems to have the ability to help lower high cholesterol. A double blind research control study of fenugreek showed that it successfully lowered cholesterol and triglycerides and that it may help increase the good HDL cholesterol.
MySpicer.com stocks two varieties of Fenugreek: ground fenugreek seeds and whole fenugreek seeds.
