Health Benefits
You may know of fenugreek seed as a sweet and aromatic spice used in Asian cooking. However, fenugreek has a long history of use in traditional medicine around the world. It’s known to help with numerous health issues and can be safely taken long term to help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. Otherwise, it can be used on an as-needed basis for stomach issues, menstrual pain and libido.
Fenugreek seeds are even a rich source of minerals, including iron, manganese, magnesium and copper.
Breast feeding and menstrual health
Diabetes
Increases Testosterone Levels and Libido in Men
Cholesterol
Digestive health
Reduces Inflammation
Kidney Problems
Suppresses Appetite
Relieves A Sore Throat
Hair & skin
Breast feeding and menstrual health
Insufficient milk supply has a multitude of potential causes and it affects many breastfeeding mothers, as well as their babies.
India’s traditional Ayurvedic physicians prescribe fenugreek to nursing mothers. It helps increase the milk production, and the magnesium and vitamin content in it also helps improve the milk’s quality to keep your baby healthy and happy.
To boost milk supply, you can also add fenugreek seed powder to a smoothie or take a fenugreek tincture to reap the same benefits.
Fenugreek is considered as a potent substance that eases the process of menstruation and relieves the associated symptoms. Fenugreek contains the chemicals diosgenin and estrogenic isoflavones, which are similar to the female hormone, estrogen. Loss of estrogen causes menopausal symptoms. So, eating it helps reduce menopausal symptoms like mood swings, depression, cramps, and abnormal hunger pangs. It helps monitor a number of other hormones as well, keeping many other bodily processes in line as well.
Research shows that fenugreek can lessen the severity of dysmenorrhea in women. Women with dysmenorrhea may experience painful menstrual cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness, headaches and fatigue while menstruating. Menstruating women who took fenugreek seed powder experienced reductions in all the above symptoms.
Diabetes
Multiple research studies on people with diabetes involving fenugreek have shown amazing potential.
Fenugreek helps alleviate both type I and type II diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. This helps prevent the plunges and peaks of blood sugar in diabetics and improves cellular uptake of glucose, resulting in more food being converted to fuel instead of stored as fat.
15-20 grams of fenugreek seeds is usually recommended for controlling blood sugar on a daily basis.
Increases Testosterone Levels and Libido in Men
Fenugreek has been found to help boost testosterone levels, sexual arousal, energy and stamina and libido in men. and is used as a natural remedy for impotence.
Cholesterol
Research studies show that fenugreek consumption helps reduce cholesterol levels. It helps reduce the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol significantly, which can prevent various conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. It is a rich source of fiber, which scrapes excess cholesterol off of the arteries and blood vessels of the body. By reducing cholesterol content in the bloodstream, you reduce the risk of formation of blood clots.
The antioxidants in fenugreek also have cardioprotective benefits; they neutralize oxidative stress, which is linked to heart disease.
Digestive health
Fenugreek is a gentle, natural laxative. When the full seeds are consumed, or if they’re ground into powder, they’re a rich source of dietary fiber. This fiber collects water in the gut and becomes a gel-like substance. It adds bulk to the stool and puts pressure on the intestinal wall. As a result, the intestines begin contracting, which promotes the passing of stool. Fenugreek tea and extract can fight indigestion and bloating by neutralizing excess acid in the digestive tract and reducing inflammation in the bowels.
You can even drink water in which the seeds have been soaked to manage digestive problems.
Reduces Inflammation
Fenugreek has an anti-inflammatory effect on all parts of the body, which can make it helpful for a wide range of internal and external health problems. It can reduce inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis, kidney ailments, bronchitis, cancer and more. A research study on the effects of fenugreek on arthritis found that it significantly reduced inflammation in the joints and reduced pain and discomfort.
Besides taking fenugreek internally for inflammation, you can also use it topically as a poultice to treat swelling, muscle pain, gout, swelling of the lymph nodes, leg ulcers, sciatica and eczema. This is done by soaking a cloth in warm fenugreek tea and applying it directly to the skin. You can also create a paste using fenugreek seed and water, and then apply it to the swollen area.
Kidney Problems
Traditional Chinese medicine recommends the use of fenugreek for patients suffering from various kidney conditions.
Suppresses Appetite
The natural soluble fiber galactomannan found in fenugreek helps suppress appetite by making you feel full.
Chew the seeds at least two or three times a day and you will discover you feel satiated without eating much.
Another technique for weight reduction is drinking two glasses of fenugreek water in the morning. The water is prepared by soaking 1 tablespoon of the seeds in two glasses of water for entire night. This water is exceptionally useful in prevention of water retention in the body as well as bloating.
Relieves A Sore Throat
Fenugreek’s soothing mucilage helps relieve a sore throat, associated pain, and cough.
Hair & skin
Fenugreek seeds contain compounds that will make your hair and skin glow with health!
Whether you decide to include it in your diet or apply it on hair, it is tremendously useful.
Massaging your head regularly with boiled fenugreek seeds soaked overnight in coconut oil can be a fabulous solution for hair fall. Fenugreek is also a great remedy for dandruff.
If you are looking for something to treat your skin and help it retain moisture and youth, fenugreek seeds are an excellent choice. They destroy free radicals in our body, which cause wrinkles, and dark spots and prevent outbreaks and keep skin free from acne These seeds also lighten skin tone.