Meet Fenugreek

You’ve probably seen Fenugreek seeds at Indian restaurants, but have you tried the herb in supplement form? There are so many benefits to discover, from easing heartburn to lowering high blood sugar levels to soothing sore throats

- Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, DN-C, RH

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), a legume that grows from the Mediterranean to China, is an ancient spice with a bitter flavor. Although rare in American cooking, the seeds are popular in India for pickles and curried dishes. Dry roasting can enhance the flavor and reduce bitterness, and the seeds may also be eaten raw or boiled. Fenugreek leaves are an important food from Western Asia to Northern India, where they’re eaten as a very tasty vegetable that can be prepared like spinach, added to salads, or dried and used as a spice, which has a maple-like smell and taste.

Fenugreek for Whatever Ails You (Literally!)

Fenugreek has been used for more than 2,000 years to stimulate flagging appetites, as well as for an assortment of digestive complaints, including heartburn and gas. Recent animal evidence indicates that it increases the production of pancreas enzymes, and scientific evidence also supports its use for ulcers.

Gargle with fenugreek seed tea to relieve sore throats and soothe coughs. Traditional uses for this herb include arthritis, bronchitis, and fevers, and as a general male reproductive tonic.

With its anti-inflammatory properties, fenugreek has been used topically for abscesses, boils, wounds, burns, eczema, gout, and skin ulceration.