Fenugreek is native to the Mediterranean regions, northeast Africa, Ukraine, India, and China, and is also grown as a crop in these areas and countries. Seeds used medicinally come from commercial cultivation in India, Morocco, China, Turkey, and France.
Seeds used as medicine
In herbal medicine, the ripe, dried seeds of fenugreek (Trigonellae foenugraeci semen) are used.
Fenugreek: special characteristics.
Fenugreek is an annual herb that grows up to 60 cm tall. The leaves are stalked and three-pinnate. Inconspicuous flowers sit in the leaf axils, which are pale yellow above and light purple at the base.
The plant bears curved legumes up to 20 cm long, which contain numerous yellow or reddish-brown seeds. The seed material of fenugreek consists of the four-sided or flat diamond-shaped seeds, about 3 mm in size. These are very hard and light brown to reddish or yellowish brown in color.
A diagonal furrow divides the seeds externally into two sections of unequal size. When placed in water, the seeds swell quickly and crack the seed coat.
Smell and taste of fenugreek seeds.
Fenugreek seeds emit a strong, aromatic odor. The seeds taste faintly bitter; when chewed, they feel slimy in the mouth.
