Fenugreek From time immemorial, spices have been a household name because they are normally used for seasoning, flavoring and boosting the taste of our meals. Interestingly, spices can also be beneficial to us in other ways apart from food flavouring, to improve our health as well as serve for medicinal purposes.
However, it is a great concern that many people are still oblivious of the numerous benefits that can be obtained from spices apart from serving as a food seasoning. This post therefore seeks to unravel some of the fascinating benefits of methi ke dane (fenugreek).
Methi ke dane is popularly known as fenugreek as well as botanically referred to as Trigonella foenumgraecum. It is an annual plant that belongs to the family of Fabaceae, whose seeds are widely used as a spice for culinary purposes. Methi ke dane (fenugreek) is multi-purposeful as it can be used both as a spice (seeds), vegetable (microgreens, fresh leaves, sprouts), herb (dry/fresh leaves) or even for medicinal purposes.
This spice is highly distinguished from other spices because it is highly medicinal and contain both antidiuretic, carminative, hypocholesterolemic, antithrombotic, antihypertensive, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic and antiulcerative properties. These numerous properties of methi ke dane (fenugreek), suggests why several ethnobotanical researches carried out using this spice, have proved that it is suitable for treating certain diseases and health-related conditions.
Methi ke dane (fenugreek) is originally from North Africa and neighbouring countries of the eastern Mediterranean, but it is presently widely grown in countries such as; France, Nepal, India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Spain, Morocco, Afghanistan, Argentina, Iran and Turkey. It is cultivated by sowing seeds in a properly drained soil and the plant tend to grow up to 0.3 to 0.8m in height. The flower grows into long yellowish-brown pods that contain the oblong tiny hard brown seeds. Fenugreek is characterized by a distinctive aroma with bittersweet taste due to the presence of the chemical sotolon in it.
18 Fascinating Benefits of Methi ke dane (Fenugreek)
1. Cholesterol Level Control
Methi ke dane (fenugreek) seeds can be used as a home remedy for absorbing cholesterol from fatty food products that we eat. This is as a result of the presence of high level of steroidal saponins compounds in the spice. The saponins compound is believed to be influential in reducing the synthesis of cholesterol in the body without any detrimental impact on the good cholesterol levels.
The seeds are also an excellence source of fibre that helps in boosting the absorption of blood cholesterol by the liver to generate bile. An increased level of LDL bad cholesterol is very detrimental and increases the risk of heart disease. No doubt that you are glad to know that fenugreek is a cheap home remedy for lowering the bad cholesterol level drastically.
2.Culinary Purposes
Methi ke dane (fenugreek) can be used for cooking food and it is widely used in various cuisines. Due to the bitter taste of fenugreek seeds, they are usually roasted to reduce the bitterness as well as boost the aromatic taste before using for food preparation. It is used for preparing the Indian methi ghatia snack, which is a combination of fenugreek seeds and lentils. Both fenugreek's fresh leaves, vegetables and seeds are used in different cuisines such as salad, vegetable meals, panch phoron, Indian curries, daals and sambar powder.
Different countries have different cuisines for using fenugreek for example; Persians call fenugreek leaves shanbalile, which they use in preparing special dishes such as eshkeneh and ghormeh. The Jews use fenugreek to prepare a special sauce known as hilbeh, which is normally used during the Jewish ceremonial New Year known as Rosh Hashana. Turkish people mix black pepper, fenugreek, cumin and other similar spices for preparing a special paste referred to as çemen and pastırma. Egyptians blend maize and fenugreek seeds together while making pita bread to prepare aish merahrah.
3. Stomach Disorders
Fenugreek can be used as a home remedy for treating stomach disorders such as indigestion and constipation.
4. Mouth Ulcer Treatment
It can be infused and gargled for treating mouth ulcers.
5. Boils Treatment
Fenugreek can be blended and applied on boils for quick rupturing of the boil and faster healing.
6. Nutritional Value
Fenugreek is an excellent source of iron, calcium, phosphorus and protein. It also contains some traces of fat and carbohydrates.
7. High Hemoglobin Level
Studies reveal that cooking food with at least one teaspoon of methi ke dane (fenugreek) seeds, which is eaten on a regular basis is capable of increasing the hemoglobin level.
8. Dermatological Benefits
Fenugreek can be used for manufacturing dermatological cosmetics for skin care.
9. Cough Treatment
Methi ke dane (fenugreek) seeds can serve as cough expectorant if blended and mixed with honey.
10. Diabetes Control
Fenugreek seeds can be used for preparing herbal medicine for treating diabetes.
11. Lung Disease Prevention
Fenugreek can be eaten on a regular basis to maintain healthy functioning of the lung as well as prevent lung diseases.
12. Breast milk Simulation
Lactating mothers are often encouraged to consume fenugreek as it helps to boost breast milk production.
13. Weight Management
Studies reveal that eating fenugreek helps in maintaining balanced weight as well as help to shed excess weight and fat.
14. Phlegm Treatment
Fenugreek can be boiled in water with ginger, honey to prepare a home remedy for treating phlegm.
15. Hair Treatment
Methi ke dane (fenugreek) can be blended and mixed with coconut oil, which is applied to the hair to prevent dandruff, loss of hair and premature hair greying. Fenugreek can also be used to fight baldness.
16. Dysentery Treatment
Methi ke dane (fenugreek) can be blended and mixed with thick curds, which can be used for treating dysentery.
17. Muscular and Body Pain
Methi ke dane (fenugreek), when eaten regularly can help to reduce muscle pain, body ache, joint pain and even back pain.
18. Memory Boost
Fenugreek can be decocted together with radish, ghee and cumin seeds, which can be consumed regularly to boost the functioning of the brain as well as prevent memory loss.
DISCLAIMER
This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional diagnostic and treatments. Remember to always consult your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions or for counselling, guidance and treatment about a specific medical condition.
REFERENCES
1. Khalil M. I. M., Ibrahim M. M., El-Gaaly G. A., and Sultan A. S. (2015), Trigonella foenum (Fenugreek) Induced Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line, HepG2, Mediated by Upregulation of p53 and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen, BioMedical Research International, pp.1-2.
2. Gupta R. and Verma S. (2015), Study of Effects of Consumption of Powdered Fenugreek Seeds on Serum Lipid Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, International Journal of Biomedical and Advance Research, Vol 6, No 1,
3. Karna S. K. L. (2013), Phytochemical screening and gas chromatography– mass spectrometry and analysis of seed extract of trigonella foenumgraecum,
linn (fenugreek /methi), International Journal of Chemical Studies, Volume 1 Issue 3, pp. 209-210.
4. Srinivasan K., (2006), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum—graecum); A review of health beneficial physiological effects, Food Reviews International 22: pp. 203-205.
5. Kassaian N., Azadbakht L., Forghani B. and Amini M. (2009), Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients, International Journal of Vitamine Nutr. Res., 79(1), pp. 34-35.
6. Xue W. L., Li X. S., Zhang J., Liu Y. H., Wang Z. L. and Zhan R. J. (2007), Effect of Trigonella foenum—graecum (fenugreek) extract on blood glucose, blood lipid and hemorheological properties in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, Asia Pacific Journal Clinical Nutrition; (16), pp. 422-423.
