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Frontier Fenugreek Seed Powder, Organic, 1 lb.

MSRP: $15.10
Our Price: $11.30
Savings: $3.80 (25%)
2693
Frontier Herbs
Category: Frontier Bulk Herbs
Qty:
each

Frontier Fenugreek Seed Powder, Organic, 1 lb.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

COMMON NAME

Standardized: fenugreek
Other: Greek hay, Greek clover, alholva (Spanish),1 methi or medhika (Ayurveda),3 hu lu ba (Chinese)4

BOTANICAL NAME

Trigonella foenum-graecum L.1 
Plant Family: Fabaceae

OVERVIEW

Fenugreek seed has been used medicinally and for culinary purposes for millennia. It is most often utilized in Indian, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cuisine, but is used commercially as a flavoring agent in much of the world. Its delicate maple-like flavor makes it perfect for baked goods and confectionaries and also for creating imitation maple syrups. Medicinally, it has been utilized in traditional herbalism to support digestion, support lactation in nursing mothers, and as a soothing topical application.

BOTANY

Fenugreek is an annual herb with light yellow flowers and three lobed, clover-like leaves, typical of the pea or Fabaceae family.6 Native to the Mediterranean region, the Ukraine, India, and China.5 The generic name, Trigonella, is derived from ancient Greek and means 'three-angled' in reference to the shape of the plant's corolla2 and the specific name, foenum-graecum, literally means 'Greek hay' as the plant was used to scent poor quality hay.2

CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

Cultivated for commercial purposes extensively in Morocco, Turkey, India, China,5 and South America.7

HISTORY AND FOLKLORE

Cultivated in ancient Assyria as early as the seventh century B.C.E.5, fenugreek seeds have been appreciated for their medicinal and culinary properties for thousands of years by the people living in this area, in particular the Egyptians.2,5 Fenugreek was first mentioned in the Ebers papyri (ca. 1500 B.C.E.). In Cairo, the seeds were soaked and made into a paste which was referred to as 'helba.' This herbal remedy was also utilized in traditional Arabian, Greek, and Indian medicine.5 In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), fenugreek has been administered since at least eleventh century and is now official in the Chinese pharmacopeia.5 Considered bitter in taste and heating in nature, it is used to dispel dampness and cold and to warm the kidneys. Its main effects are on the kidney, lung, and large intestine meridians.4

In traditional western herbalism, fenugreek seed has been used for many of the same purposes, particularly to support digestion and lactation in nursing mothers.2,6,7,9 Additionally, fenugreek is an emollient and makes a fine poultice for external use. Its mucilaginous qualities make it beneficial internally as well.

In India, the entire plant is considered edible,2,3,8 and the fresh leaves are cooked like spinach. In north India, dried leaves are added to a curry.10 The powdered seed smells of maple and butterscotch2,10 and in Indian cuisine is toasted in hot oil to further enhance the flavor. In southern India, it is added to fish curries and also used in sambar (vegetable lentil stew).10 Further, these ground seeds are used to add a maple flavor to food, beverages, candies, tobacco, imitation maple syrup,2,3,7 and also cosmetics and perfumes.7

And old wives' tale maintains that one can add fenugreek seeds to mop water, and that after cleaning, money will be brought into the house.11

FLAVOR NOTES AND ENERGETICS

Energetically heating with a pungent, bitter, and sweet taste3,8

HERBAL ACTIONS

Nutritive, digestive, galactagogue, hypoglycaemic, demulcent,6,8 emollient,2,5 secretolytic, hyperemic, expectorant,3,8emmenagogue9

USES AND PREPARATIONS

Dried, ripe seed either whole or powdered as a culinary spice, encapsulated or made into a tincture  
Dried, ripe seed powdered made into a paste for use as a poultice

CONSTITUENTS

Carbohydrates, mucilaginous fiber (galactomannans), proteins (high in lysine and tryptophan), fixed oils pyridine-type alkaloids (such as trigonelline, choline, gentianine, and carpaine), flavonoids such as apigenin, luteolin, orientin, quercetin, vitexin, and isovitexin, free amino acids, such as 4-hydroxyisoleucine, arginine, histidine, and lysine; calcium and iron; saponins, glycosides (yielding steroidal sapogenins such as diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, neotigogenin on hydrolysis), cholesterol and sitosterol, vitamins A, B1, C, and nicotinic acid, and volatile oils.5

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The Commission E approved internal use of fenugreek as an appetite stimulant and for use externally as a poultice.

PRECAUTIONS

Specific: Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

REFERENCES

  1. United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Accessed at http://www.ars-grin.gov on October 15, 2014.
  2. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. Accessed at http://botanical.com/botanical on October 15, 2014.
  3. Khalsa Singh KP, Tierra M. The way of Ayurvedic herbs. Twin Lakes: Lotus Press; 2008.
  4. Bensky, D., Gamble, A., & Kaptchuk, T. J. (1993). Chinese herbal medicine: materia medica.
  5. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.
  6. Mills, S. (1988). The dictionary of modern herbalism. Healing Arts Press.
  7. Khan, I. A., & Abourashed, E. A. (2011). Leung's encyclopedia of common natural ingredients: used in food, drugs and cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons.
  8. Mcintyre A. The Ayurvedic Bible: The definitive guide to Ayurvedic Healing: Ontario; Firefly Books Ltd. 2012.
  9. Hoffmann, D. (1998). The Herbal Handbook: A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism. Inner Traditions/Bear & Co.
  10. Kaimal M. How to Use Fenugreek in Indian Food. Accessed at: http://www.howcast.com/videos/500371-How-to-Use-Fenugreek-Indian-Food
  11. Cunningham, S. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Woodbury: Llewellyn Publications; 2000.

Additional Resources:
Swaroop, A., Bagchi, M., Kumar, P., Preuss, H. G., Tiwari, K., Marone, P. A., & Bagchi, D. (2014). Safety, efficacy and toxicological evaluation of a novel, patented anti-diabetic extract of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum seed extract (Fenfuro). Toxicology mechanisms and methods, 24(7), 495-503.

Raju, J., Patlolla, J. M., Swamy, M. V., & Rao, C. V. (2004). Diosgenin, a steroid saponin of Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek), inhibits azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci formation in F344 rats and induces apoptosis in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention,13(8), 1392-1398.

Gupta, R.K. et al. 1986. Minor steroidal sapogenins from fenugreek seeds, Trigonella foenum-graecum. J Nat Prod 49:1153.

Gupta, R.K., D.C. Thain, R.S. Thakur. 1986. Two furostanol saponins from Trigonella foenum-graecum. Phytochem25:22052207.

Due to its estrogen-like properties, fenugreek seeds have been found to help increase libido and lessen the effect of hot flashes and mood fluctuations that are common symptoms of menopause and PMS. In India and China it has also been used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, improve digestion, maintain a healthy metabolism, increase libido and male potency, cure skin problems (wounds, rashes and boils), treat sore throat, and cure acid reflux. Fenugreek also has a long history of use for the treatment of reproductive disorders, to induce labor, to treat hormonal disorders, to help with breast enlargement, and to reduce menstrual pain. Recent studies have shown that Fenugreek helps lower blood glucose and cholestrol levels, and may be an effective treatment for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. It is also being studied for its cardiovascular benefits.  https://www.homeremediesweb.com/fenugreek_health_benefits.php

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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