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The health benefits of fenugreek include anemia, pregnancy, lactation, digestion, loss of taste, fever, hair care, dandruff, stomach disorders, biliousness, respiratory disorders, mouth ulcers, sore throat, diabetes, inflammations, wounds and insomnia..
Most of these benefits of fenugreek are due to the presence of saponins and fiber in it. Fenugreek is also used for herbal healing. Its seeds contain a gumming substance called mucilage. Mixed with water, mucilage expands and becomes a gelatinous soother for irritated tissues.
It is a member of the bean family and is found in India and southern part of Europe.
The benefits of fenugreek are described below:
- Good for breast feeding mothers: India’s traditional ayurvedic physicians prescribe fenugreek to nursing mothers. This benefit is attributed to the presence of diosgenin in fenugreek.
- Reduce menstrual discomfort: Fenugreek is considered as a potent menstruation ease promoter.
- Minimize symptoms of menopause: Fenugreek contains the chemicals diosgenin and estrogenic isoflavones, which are similar to the female sex hormone, estrogen. Loss of estrogen causes menopausal symptoms. So, eating fenugreek helps to reduce menopausal symptoms.
- Reduce cholesterol: Studies and researches show that Fenugreek consumption helps to reduce cholesterol level. Fenugreek helps to reduce the level of low density Lipoprotein (LDL) significantly.
- Reduces cardiovascular risk: Fenugreek seed contains 25 percent galactomannan. This is a type of natural soluble fibre. This reduces cardiovascular diseases.
- Control diabetes: Fenugreek helps to alleviate type II diabetes. According to one study, it may also help people with Type I diabetes. Study done by Indian researchers revealed that Fenugreek added to type I diabetic patient’s diet, helps drop urinary sugar level by 54 percent. Because of the presence of the natural fiber galactomannan, fenugreek slows down the rate at which sugar is absorbed into blood. The amino acid (4-hydroxyisoleucine) in Fenugreek induces the production of insulin and therefore, 15-20 grams of fenugreek daily is recommended for controlling blood sugar.
- Relief for sore throat: Fenugreek’s soothing mucilage helps to relieve sore throat pain and cough.
- Relieve constipation: Fenugreek adds bulk to the stool. So, it is helpful to treat constipation and diarrhoea and also relieves minor indigestion.
- Good for kidney troubles: Traditional Chinese medicine advises fenugreek for kidney patients.
- Prevent colon cancer: Fenugreek possesses anticarcinogenic potential. The steroid diosgenin in Fenugreek is colon cancer preventive.
- Good appetite suppressant: The natural soluble fibre galactomannan can swell in the stomach and thus, suppresses appetite.
Fenugreek is used to treat wounds, inflammation and gastrointestinal ailments. Fenugreek helps in antioxidation. So, it prevents and repairs damages caused by free radicals. According to ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, fenugreek can be used for inducing labour and aiding digestion. It is also good to improve metabolism and health. Irritated skin condition can be soothed by the external application of fenugreek. Fenugreek is also used for fevers and muscle aches.
Fenugreek is considered to be a safe herbal food. It is used as a spice also and tastes oddly of bitter celery and maple syrup.
Precaution: The only side effect seen in people taking high doses of fenugreek is the mild gastro intestinal distress. Fenugreek is not well recommended during pregnancy because it may lead to miscarriage.
This article was contributed by Gisha and edited by Prerna.
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