Fenugreek, commonly known as fenugreek, is an annual, multipurpose herb with green leaves and small white flowers. These flowers have small, yellowish-brown, hard, pungent seed pods with a bitter taste. Fenugreek seeds (fenugreek seeds) are commonly used in Indian kitchens for its various culinary purposes. However, its use is not limited to the kitchen, but also beyond it.
Fenugreek seeds are highly recommended for various health and wonder benefits. These seeds are a common ingredient in Indian curries, as well as Turkish, Persian and Egyptian cuisine.
Fenugreek seeds, used in oriental food, stand out for their therapeutic ability as a digestive tonic and help treat diabetes, cholesterol, menstrual pain, or skin infections.
Fenugreek active ingredients
The fenugreek seeds have a strong flavor, slightly spicy, and intense aroma. They are used, mixed with other spices, in the elaboration of different varieties of Indian curry, such as Ceylon curry or Masala Balti pasta.
Due to its composition and active principles, it is an interesting plant with various medicinal uses, ranging from the digestive tonic, to its help in the treatment of constipation or diabetes problems and even to relieve menstrual cramps.
Nutritional value of fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek seeds are full of essential vitamins, minerals and fiber which are very good for our health. One tablespoon of fenugreek seeds containing 35 calories and lots of nutrients like protein, carbohydrate, fat, magnesium, manganese, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin etc.
For lactating mothers
Fenugreek water is excellent for lactating mothers as it is helpful in milk production. Fenugreek seeds have always been one of those ingredients used in small proportions, but is excellent for treating a variety of conditions.
For pregnant women as well as nursing mothers, fenugreek seeds are very beneficial, which is why they are used in laddos which are specially made for new mothers to promote their recovery. Usually herbal fluids, warm water help the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy state. Fenugreek water is also good for this purpose.
What is fenugreek like, and where is it found
It is an annual plant, of the legume family, between 20 and 40 cm high, quite fragrant, with the leaves composed of three oval, hairless segments, and with the flowers, white or slightly yellowish, which appear solitary or in pairs.
The legume is long and narrow, ending in a long sharp beak. It contains about 10 to 20 seeds, arranged in a single row. These seeds, which constitute the medicinal part of the plant, are oval, cream, or light brown in color, and emanate a penetrating aroma, which some people associate with celery or licorice, or even with turmeric.
Its origin is established from western Asia to India and North Africa, and it could be brought to western Europe by the Arabs, but in classical Greece, it was already well known.
It has been cultivated in fields and orchards and can appear spontaneously in fields, wastelands, and roadsides, although it has been becoming rare in recent years. In Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula, four other genus species, Trigonella, grow naturally. It blooms in the middle of spring, and the fruits or vegetables usually appear on the brink of summer.
Nutritional composition
The chemical composition of fenugreek has been extensively studied. Due to its high complexity, it is explained that a wide spectrum of medicinal virtues is attributed to it.
Its nutritional composition also highlights the contribution of various nutrients, especially iron and fiber, and in a tablespoon of seeds, we find around 35 calories.
The active ingredients of fenugreek that define its therapeutic action are listed below:
- Mucilages, which can account for up to 27% of the net weight of the plant, and which give it its emollient and laxative qualities.
- Unsaturated fatty oils, such as oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids, which are responsible for its outstanding anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering action.
- Phosphorous compounds such as lecithin, trigonelline, and phytin.
- Saponins, fenugrequina, are 24% of the weight of the plant.
- Steroidal sapogenins such as diosgenin, which can act like cortisone.
- Phytosterols, with traces of cholesterol and sitosterol.
- Flavonoids, such as trigonelline and vitexin, with antioxidant, antiseptic and cardioprotective action.
- Traces of essential oil, in a minor proportion, with anethole.
- Traces of coumarins.
- Polysaccharides, such as hexose, which by hydrolysis results in mannose. The seeds contain it in a proportion of around 0.15%.
- Mineral salts such as iron (20% of your daily needs) and manganese (7%), magnesium (5%), as well as parts of phosphorus.
- Vitamin A , riboflavin , thiamine, niacin.
- Proteins, by 27%, and fiber.
Best ways to consume fenugreek seeds
This is the best way to drink fenugreek seeds. Some other methods of consuming fenugreek seeds are –
- Soak fenugreek seeds and consume it on an empty stomach
- Sprout the seed and add it to the salad
- Dry roast the seeds, grind them to powder
- Grind it into a paste and mix it in the curry
Blood sugar regulation
Fenugreek is excellent for regulating blood sugar levels. This can help in combating insulin resistance, making it more sensitive and sensitive. That is why it is used more by diabetics. Fenugreek seeds are rich in health-beneficial properties.
Weight loss
Consuming fenugreek water in the morning is excellent for boosting metabolism. Its intake produces body heat and helps in losing weight. If you want to lose weight, fenugreek seed is your answer.
Things to keep in mind
Fenugreek seeds are hot in nature, so one teaspoon should be enough to soak in a cup of water. People with intestinal ulcers should stop consuming fenugreek water. Excessive intake can cause dryness of the skin.
Author Bio
Sunil Kumar founded the small start up company Spicy Organic in 1984. Based in McKinney- Texas, Spicy Organic (www.spicyorganic.com) offers a full line of organic products ranging from bulk organic spices, herbs and organic aromatherapy products. Spicy Organic is committed to deliver the highest quality organic spices and premium service to our customers while supporting and promoting sustainable organic farming and ensuring the better future of our farmers.