What effect does fenugreek have?
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) can be used internally for temporary loss of appetite and for supportive treatment of diabetes mellitus and slightly elevated cholesterol levels.
Externally, fenugreek is suitable for treating mild skin inflammation, boils (hair follicle inflammation), ulcers and eczema.
These internal and external applications are medically recognized.
Ingredients in fenugreek
The beneficial active ingredients of fenugreek are found in the seeds. These contain 30 percent mucilage as well as proteins, fatty and essential oils, iron, saponins and bitter substances. They have astringent, analgesic and metabolic effects.
How is fenugreek used?
Tea and poultices with fenugreek
For internal use in the form of tea, 0.5 grams of powdered fenugreek seeds are left to stand with about 150 milliliters of cold water for two hours. You then filter this infusion through a paper filter. You can drink such a cup of fenugreek tea three to four times a day. To stimulate appetite, it is recommended to drink the tea half an hour before each meal. The daily dose is six grams of medicinal drug.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Ready-to-use preparations with fenugreek
There are also ready-to-use preparations for internal use, for example fenugreek capsules (fenugreek seed capsules). Please refer to the package insert for instructions on use.
Taken internally, preparations of fenugreek seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort. With repeated external use, undesirable skin reactions are possible.
What you should bear in mind when using fenugreek
Since there are still no confirmed studies on the safety, pregnant women, nursing mothers, as well as children and adolescents under 18 years of age should refrain from using fenugreek.
In 2011, there were cases of a bacterial infection with partly fatal consequences (EHEC) in Germany and France. The cause was probably fenugreek seeds imported from Egypt, which were contaminated with the disease-causing bacteria (Escherichia coli).
How to obtain fenugreek and its products
Interesting facts about fenugreek
With a strong taproot, the strong-smelling annual herb is anchored in the ground. From this a shoot grows upwards and often further shoots lying on the ground. They bear three-toothed leaves (clover). Light purple (at the base) to pale yellow (at the tips) butterfly flowers sprout from the leaf axils from April to July. Their typical triangular shape led to the genus name “Trigonella” (Latin: trigonus = triangular, triangular).
