Fenugreek Seeds

This is a spice used in Indian cooking. It has a bitter taste.

Fenugreek seeds

Health benefits of fenugreek

Fenugreek is used for many conditions. But there is not enough scientific research evidence to justify any of these claims. These are the common beliefs.
1. Lowering of blood sugar level.
2. Lowering of cholesterol.
3. Lowering of triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes.
4. Cure heartburn.
5. Remedy for stomach upset and constipation. Hardening of arteries.
6. Gout
7. Baldness
8. Increase in milk flow for breast feeding mothers.
9. Sometimes it is used to mask taste of medicines.
10. Extracts are used in soaps and cosmetics.
11. Helps breast enlargements.
12. Reduce menstrual pain.
13. Loosing weight.
14. Reduce fever

Usually people will take one tea spoonful of fenugreek seeds with a glass of water, preferably in the morning. Sometimes fenugreek seeds are soaked overnight in a glass of water. The infusion and the seeds are consumed in the morning in empty stomach. This will improve digestion, bowel movement and help in heat burn.

Fenugreek is commonly used as a spice and for medicinal purposes in the major producing countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Nepal, Bangladesh, Argentina, Egypt, France, Spain, Turkey and Morocco.

In some parts of the world a cooling drink is made out of it.

It is used in small quantity due to its bitterness. It is consumed raw as well as cooked. In most recopies only a very little quantity (typically ¼ to ½ teaspoon) is used because of its bitterness.

	Unit
		Value per 100 g
Proximates
Water	g	8.84
Energy	kcal	323
Protein	g	23
Total lipid (fat)	g	6.41
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	58.35
Fibre, total dietary	g	24.6
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	mg	3
Thiamin	mg	0.322
Riboflavin	mg	0.366
Niacin	mg	1.64
Vitamin B-6	mg	0.6
Folate, DFE	µg	57
Vitamin B-12	µg	0
Vitamin A, RAE	µg	3
Vitamin A, IU	IU	60
Vitamin D (D2 + D3)	µg	0
Vitamin D	IU	0
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated	g	1.46
Cholesterol	mg	0

 Source: USDA