Fenugreek (Methi) - Health benefits, application, chemical constituents, application and many more

     

                    Fenugreek (Methi) 

Fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal plants with exceptional medicinal and nutritional profile. It is one of the most promising traditional medicinal plants cultivated widely in India, Egypt, and Middle Eastern countries. Its leaves and seeds have been extensively used as medicine, spice, and vegetable in various pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food industries. It may grow well under diverse and a wide range of conditions. Fenugreek  seeds  enhance  the  flavor  and  aroma of  dishes. It shows antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, carminative, emollient, febrifuge, laxative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, demulcent properties.

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      • Parts of plant used : Seeds and whole plant.

It has different names in different languages such as Hindi name(Methi),  Marathi name(Methi),  English name(Fenugreek),  Kannada name(Menthya, Menthe),  Telugu name(Mentulu seed, Mentikura plant, Menthikoora),  Malayalam name(Ventiyam, Vendiyam, Uluva),  Punjabi name(Metha, Shamli, Methi, Methini),  Bengali name(Methis, Methuka),  Gujarati name(Methi, Methini, Bhaji),  Oriya name(Methi),  Tamil name(Venthaayam, Vendayam),  Urdu name(Methi),

Vitamins and minerals content

• Vitamins : B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, A, K

•  Minerals: calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, sulphur

• Aromatic compounds : camphor, neryl acetate, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 3-octen-2-one, 4-isopropyl-benzaldehyde, β-pinene and β-caryophyllene.

• Fenugreek green leaves are one of the most ancient medicinal herbs containing β-carotene (19 mg/100 g), ascorbate (220 mg/100 g), fiber, iron, calcium and zinc even more than the regular food items.

• Ahfouz et al. (2012) compared the quality of protein  in  fenugreek  and other  legumes,  such  as  white  lupine,  and  demonstrated  that fenugreek seeds contained the  highest  amounts of both  essential  amino acids  (304.80  g kg-1 protein) and total amino acids (576.00 g kg-1 protein).

          - Fenugreek protein is more soluble at alkaline pH. Fenugreek has a beneficial influence on digestion and it can modify food properties.

          - Fenugreek has a high content of free amino-acids, in particular isoleucine and histidine, which may  stimulate  insulin secretion. 

• The  lipid  content  of  fenugreek  seeds is  estimated at  100.0 g  kg-1 DM. Fenugreek lipids  contain  mostly  neutral fats, including  diglycerides  (6.3%), triglycerides (86.1%), glycolipids (5.4%) and phospholipids (10.5%). 

          - Fenugreek seeds  also  contain  small  amounts  of  monoglycerides,  free  fatty  acids  and  sterols.

          - Many of the studies also found the presence of linoleic acid, plmitic acid, steric acid and arachidic acid.

• Fenugreek  gum(consists  of  mannose  &  galactose) can  be  utilized  for  thickening, stabilizing and emulsifying food agents.

•Fenugreek contains a fairly high amount of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and other antioxidants. 

Biologically active compounds: 

Chemical Group	Compounds
Alkaloids	Trigonelline, choline, carpaine
Amino Acids	Lysine, histidine, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, tryptophan, tyrosine, cystine, arginine
Coumarins	Methyl coumarin, trigocumarin, trimethyl coumarin
Flavonoids	Naringenin, lilyn, kaempferol, vecenin-1, tricin 7-O-D glucopyranoside, saponaretin, isovitexin, isoorientin. Orientin, vitexin, luteolin, quercetin
Saponins	Fenugrin, foenugracin, glycoside, yamogenin, trigonoesides, smilagenin, gitogenin, sarsasapogenin, yuccagenin, hederagin, diosgenin, tigonenin, neotigogenin

Properties of Fenugreek

• Qualities – light to digest, unctuous, oily

• Taste – Pungent, Bitter

• Taste conversation after digestion – katu(pungent/bitter)

• Potency – Ushna(Hot potency)

• Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Vata Dosha.

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• Raw seeds are golden in color with maple flavor but bitter in taste. However, this bitterness may be reduced by roasting. The seeds are fibrous, sticky and gummy in nature 

Health benefits, application and uses of Fenugreek

1) Vatahara : useful in treating disorders of Vata Dosha imbalance such as neuralgia, paralysis, constipation, bloating, etc.

2) for bloating, gastritis : Take a buttermilk with 1 teaspoon of Fenugreek powder and pinch of Hing. Consume this at night after a meal.

3) For constipation : Soak Fenugreek seed  in water whole night and consume this(seed and water) in morning.  OR  Boil 5-10 gram of Fenugreek seed in cup of water for 2-5 minute and consume this decoction when it is lukewarm along with half spoon of ghee.    

            

4) Kaphahara : balances Kapha, useful in treating cough, asthma, bronchitis, chest congestion.

5) May worsen Raktapitta : Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc.

6) Deepani : improves digestion strength.

7) Improves breast milk secretion.  

        • its seed paste or powder 5 – 10 grams, once or twice a day, is administered to the lactating mother.

8) To lower the cholesterol: add 5 grams of Fenugreek seed powder in warm water or buttermilk and take this 2 times a day.

           - chemical content such as coumarin,  trigonelline and nicotinic acid shows hypoglycemic property which helps to lower the cholesterol.

9) Aqueous solutions and macerated fenugreek  oils  exert  protective  effects  on  the  mucosa  in  ulcer  disease.

10) Fenugreek seeds contain the neuroprotective alkaloid trigonelline, which can be effectively used in the preven-tion and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

11) Fenugreek seeds are used as spice for flavoring selected types of cheese, mainly parmesan. Powdered or crushed seeds are added to salads and cottage  cheese  spreads. 

12) For hyperacidity and gastritis : soak the seed whole night and consume this both water and soaked seed 30 minutes before meal. 

                  - mucilage content in it provides a soothing effect on the gastrointestinal tract by coating the linning of mucilage on stomach and intestine.

13) Dry fried Fenugreek seeds well cooked with milk by adding little sugar/ rock sugar/ jaggery (when milk get warm, consume this), which helps to strengthen the intestine and improves the capacity of digestion.

13) For hairfall :  Add fine powder of 30-40 gram of Fenugreek seed to the 150ml of coconut or sesame oil and put this preparation in sunshine for 6 days, then filter and store this preparation. This helps to reduce hairfall. OR  Mix 1-1 TSP(table spoon) of Powder Brahmi, Fenugreek, amla and coconut milk or oil and form a thick paste. Put this mixture for some time (30-40 min.). Then apply this mixture to scalp and hair and wait for 10-15min. and wash the hair.

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14) Applying seed paste improves local blood circulation, relieves pain and inflammation in wounds, abscess, boils and swellings.

15) Equal quantity of fenugreek and turmeric are taken and fine powder is made. Take 5 gram of this preparation daily with water on empty stomach. This is an effective ramedy for Type-2 diabetes. OR chew the soaked seed daily in the morning on empty stomach.

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16) According to ayurveda, Fenugreek is used as nutritive supplement especially in growing children and during pregnancy as well as lactating period. Its powder, medicated milk, sweet preparations etc are used for this purpose.

17) Warm methi powder when applied in the site of pain, inflammation, abscess reduce the symptoms. You should apply this with water or oil(sesame/coconut).

18) Sprouted seeds made into a paste can be applied alone or with aloevera gel on the scalp, to promote hair growth and to remove dandruff.

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19) The leaves are used both internally and externally because of their cooling properties.

20) Fine powder of Methi seeds mixed with honey-bee wax relieves chest pain if applied locally.

21) An infusion of the leaves is used as a gargle for recurrent mouth ulcers. 

22) Fenugreek seeds are very useful to reduce Anemia. It's Antioxidant property helps to reduce red blood cell oxidation while it's Fe(iron) content restore the iron in RBC and there by reduce Anemia.

23) Seed powder paste produces skin healing, moisturizing, smoothening, whitening. Paste is made with warm water or oil(coconut/sesame).

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24) It keeps the nervous system healthy and strengthens the body.

23) Fenugreek is contraindicated in bleeding disorders. It can enhance the anticoagulant activity of other herbs and medications like heparin, warfarin, and ticlopidine. Fenugreek should not be used in patients on anticoagulants. 

24) Dried leaves of fenugreek are called Kasuri Methi which is used as flavouring agent in Indian food.

25) Fenugreek seeds reduce sticky mucus content in the stool by increasing bile secretion from the liver into the intestine, which helps to improve fat metabolism and acts as a digestive for oily substances.

26) Both fenugreek seeds and leaves have potent carminative and anti-flatulent properties, which helps to reduce intestinal gas, flatulence, abdominal distension, and feeling of fullness or heaviness of abdomen due to excess gas accumulation in the alimentary canal. 

27) Mouth sweetness indicates excess Kapha Dosha. Fenugreek helps to reduce such problems also.

28) Gargling with luke warm/warm Fenugreek decoction helps to reduce problems such as sore throat or tonsillitis, with this you should add pinch full sunthi in it.

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29) Fenugreek tea is recommendable in patients with bad breath. Poor dental hygiene or bacterial growth in the mouth can be the cause of bad breath. Fenugreek’s antibacterial action arrests bacterial growth and kills bad breath causing microbes.

30) Fenugreek plays a key role in maintaining the heart health. Its cardioprotective action can be attributed to the presence of galactomannan in the fenugreek seeds. It also contains a high amount of potassium, which helps counter the action of sodium thus controlling the heart rate and blood pressure. high level of potassium prompts the excretion of sodium from the kidneys through urine. As sodium is hygroscopic in nature, it pulls itself with water thus resulting in the elimination of higher amount of fluids from the body. This helps to lower the blood pressure. It also helps to control arrhythmias by regulating the heartbeats. Fenugreek seeds can enhance the heart functions by regulating the blood pressure and heart rate.

Precaution : 1) It is best to avoid during diarrhoea as it is a mild laxative.

                       2) It is avoided when the person is having bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding.

                        3) Do not consume more.

                        4) Do not consume (externally/internally) if anyone allergic to it. Consult a doctor before use.

Note : 1) Fenugreek seeds and oil can be effectively used as food preservatives or in the pharmaceutical industry.

            2) Pharmaceutical  companies  show  a  growing  interest  in fenugreek research due to the presence of diosgenin in the discussed species. Diosgenin significantly  lowers  cholesterol levels, and  it  can also  be  used in the production of oral hormones and steroids.

            3) A  study comparing  the quality  of  honey  with various  pollen  content revealed that the most nutritious types of honey were heterofloral, and sam-ples with the highest antibacterial activity, which is characterized by a predomi-nance of fenugreek pollen.

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           4) Seeds was used by the Egyptians to make yellow dye, plasters etc.

           5) Fenugreek had been applied to embalm mummies and in incense in ancient Egypt. 

           6) In India, fenugreek was being consumed as lactation stimulant and spice.

           7) Seeds of fenugreek were traditionally used as a remedy for diabetes in many Asian and African civilizations.

           8) Fenugreek is also being used in paper industry, cosmetics, pharmacology, beverages, perfume, paints and some of the food oriented implications.

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Refrence : 

1) Journal of Elementology  ISSN 1644-2296 : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317574404_Fenugreek_Productivity_nutritional_value_and_uses

2) Bhojana Kutuhalam 12th chapter - Book

3) Sushruta samhita - Book

4) Bhavaprakash and Aadrash Nighantu - Book

5) NCBI : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4894452/

6) AYU (An international quarterly journal of research in Ayurveda) : http://www.ayujournal.org/article.asp?issn=0974-8520;year=2017;volume=38;issue=1;spage=24;epage=27;aulast=Ranade

7) PUBMED

8) Indian Journal of pharmacology : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4980935/

9) Book : Dravyaguna Vijnana, Volume 2

10) sciencedirect.com

11) Local traditions and knowledge about Fenugreek

12) charak samhita - Book

13) International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311791738_Fenugreek_with_its_medicinal_applications

14) International journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research Volume 1, Issue 8, 2013: 922-931