:: Spices & Seeds :: Al-Noor Foods

Fenugreek Seeds:

Botanical Name	Trigonella foenum graecum L
Family	Leguminosae
Flavor	Powerful, aromatic and bittersweet, like burnt sugar. There is a bitter aftertaste, similar to celery or lovage.
Origin	Probably the Mediterranean

Fenugreek seeds are small (about 5 mm. long), hard, and brownish yellow although the colour varies. They are flattened and have a very characteristic rhomboidal outline. Nearly in the center of one of the long, narrow sides is a small depression in which both hilum and micropyle are situated, the former being distinctly visible as a whitish point; this depression is continued in the form of a furrow running diagonally across part of each of the adjoining sides, thus dividing the seed into two unequal lobes.

If the seed is cut in a direction transverse to the side in which the hilum lies, so as to pass through both lobes of the seed , it will be found that the larger lobe contains two accumbent cotyledons - the smaller, the radicle; both are yellowish in colour, and surrounded by a darker, horny, translucent endosperm, which also separates the radicle from the cotyledons. Soaked in water the endosperm swells and yields mucilage to the surrounding liquid. Entire seeds macerated in warm water burst their seed-coats by the swelling of the mucilage, and disclose the structure of the seed.

The seeds are hard, yellowish brown and angular. Some are oblong, some rhombic, other virtually cubic, with a side of about 3mm (1/8"). A deep furrow all but splits them in two. They are available whole and dried , or as a dull yellow powder, ground from the roasted seeds.

Bouquet: Warm and penetrating, becoming more pronounced when the seeds are roasted. Ground, they give off a 'spicy' smell, pungent, like an inferior curry powder which would probably contain too much fenugreek.

Fenugreek Seeds and Breastfeeding

Fenugreek seeds contain hormone precursors that increase milk supply. Scientists do not know for sure how this happens. Some believe it is possible because breasts are modified sweat glands, and fenugreek stimulates sweat production. It has been found that fenugreek can increase a nursing mother's milk supply within 24 to 72 hours after first taking the herb. Once an adequate level of milk production is reached, most women can discontinue the fenugreek and maintain the milk supply with adequate breast stimulation. Many women today take fenugreek in a pill form (ground seeds placed in capsules). The pills can be found at most vitamin and nutrition stores and at many supermarkets and natural foods stores. Fenugreek can also be taken in tea form, although tea is believed to be less potent than the pills and the tea comes with a bitter taste that can be hard to stomach.

What is it used for:

Fenugreek seeds are ground and roasted and used to flavor to curry. The seeds are also soaked and then powdered and used to make lip balm and tonic.

The seeds can be used to make tea, which can reduce fever and menstrual pains, or they can be used in an ointment to treat skin infections. The seeds have also been used to increase libido in men and serve as an aphrodisiac.

Ground seeds are often used to give a maple flavor to sweets and candies. Ground seeds are also used to flavor cattle food, including different vegetable meals and hays.

Fenugreek seeds are used to treat bronchitis, coughs, respiratory problems, sinus conditions and to increase milk supply.

Fenugreek seeds are used in colic flatulence, dysentery, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, chronic cough and enlargement of liver and spleen, rickets, gout and diabetes. It is also used as a carminative, tonic and aphrodisiac. They increase the secretion and discharge of urine, relieve flatulence and promote lactation in nursing mothers. They also arrest any secretion or bleeding and have an aphrodisiac effect. They are the best cleansers within the body, highly mucous-solvent and soothing agent.

Fenugreek Powder

Fenugreek seed powder has been used for centuries as a spice to increase the taste of curries by the Pakistani and the Chinese. This Fenugreek seed powder was first introduced to the Arabs and the Europeans through Spice Trading. Medicinally it was used for the treatment of wounds, abscesses, arthritis, bronchitis, and digestive problems. Traditional Chinese herbalists used it for kidney problems and conditions affecting the male reproductive tract. Fenugreek was, and remains, a food and a spice commonly eaten in many parts of the world.

Process of Manufacturing of Fenugreek Powder :

To make fenugreek powder the fresh fenugreek seeds are collected, cleaned to remove the physical impurities, like adhered soil and dirt. Then it is dried and grounded to make into powdered form. Fenugreek powder is packed with aseptic measures for storage and transportation.
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Active Constituents and Proposed Mechanism of Action :

The steroidal saponins account for many of the beneficial effects of fenugreek, particularly the inhibition of cholesterol absorption and synthesis.

The seeds are rich in dietary fiber, which may be the main reason they can lower blood sugar levels in diabetes.

Amino acides like 4-hydroxyisoleucine helps lower elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

Fenugreek seeds yields nicotinic acid alkaloid with roasting.

Fenugreek seeds contain a high percentage of mucilage in the coatings of seed which promotes evacuation of intestinal contents. Hence, fenugreek is a mild but effective laxative.

Uses of Fenugreek seed Powder :

Internal uses :

Fenugreek is used internally to stimulate appetite.

Tea made from Fenugreek seeds is equal in value to quinine in reducing fevers. Fenugreek used with lemon juice and honey also helps reduce fevers.

Fenugreek tea has a soothing effect on the inflamed stomach and intestines. It cleans the stomach, bowls and kidneys. It helps healing peptic ulcers by providing coating of mucilaginous matter.

Fenugreek has been used fairly extensively by lactation consultants to increase milk production in nursing mothers.

The ground seeds are used also to give a maple-flavouring to confectionery and nearly all cattle like the flavour of Fenugreek in their forage.

External uses :

It has also been used as external poultice to control inflammation.
The powder of seeds are utilized to an enormous extent in the manufactures of condition powders for horses and cattle.
Funugreek is the principal ingredient in most of the quack nostrums which find so much favour among grooms and horsekeepers. It has a powerful odour of coumarin and is largely used for flavouring cattle foods and to make damaged hay palatable.

Other Uses :

Fenugreek seeds are also used in candy, baked goods, ice cream, chewing gum and soft drinks. The seeds can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

Fenugreek leaves are dried and used as an insect repellent in grain storage.

Dose Recommendation :

A daily intake of 6 grams of fenugreek seed powder is recommendated commonly.
The typical range of intake for diabetes or cholesterol-lowering is 5–30 grams with each meal or 15–90 grams all at once with one meal.
As a tincture, 3–4 ml of fenugreek can be taken up to TID.