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FENUGREEK
Botany
Although originally from southeastern Europe and western Asia, fenugreek
grows today in many parts of the world, including India, northern Africa,
and the United States. The seeds of fenugreek contain the most potent
medicinal effects of the plant.
Historical
or Traditional Use
A wide range of uses were found for fenugreek in ancient times.
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.1
Fenugreek was, and remains, a food and a spice commonly eaten in many
parts of the world.
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.2 The seeds are rich in dietary fiber, which may be
the main reason they can lower blood sugar levels in diabetes.3
One human study found that fenugreek can help lower cholesterol and blood
sugar levels in persons with moderate atherosclerosis and
non-insulin-dependent diabetes.4 Randomized and uncontrolled
studies have confirmed fenugreek helps stabilize blood sugar control in
patients with insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes.5
6 7 It helps lower elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in
the blood,8 including in those with diabetes,9
according to several controlled studies. Generally fenugreek does not
lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. This type of
cholesterol is believed to be beneficial.
Recommended
Dosage
Due to the somewhat bitter taste of fenugreek seeds, debitterized seeds or
encapsulated products are preferred. The German Commission E monograph
recommends a daily intake of 6 grams.10 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.
Contraindications
Use of more than 100 grams of fenugreek seeds daily can cause intestinal
upset and nausea. Individuals with peanut allergies use with caution or
avoid. Otherwise, fenugreek is extremely safe.
References:
1. Escot N.
Fenugreek. ATOMS 1994/5;Summer:7–12.
2. Sauvaire Y, Ribes G, Baccou JC, Loubatieres-Mariani MM. Implication of
steroid saponins and sapogenins in the hypocholesterolemic effect of
fenugreek. Lipids 1991;26:191–7.
3. Ribes G, Sauvaire Y, Da Costa C, et al. Antidiabetic effects of
subfractions from fenugreek seeds in diabetic dogs. Proc Soc Exp Biol
Med 1986;182:159–66.
4. Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC. Effect of ginger (Zingiber
officinale Rosc) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L) on
blood lipids, blood sugar, and platelet aggregation in patients with
coronary artery disease. Prostagland Leukotrienes Essential Fatty
Acids 1997;56:379–84.
5. Sharma RD, Raghuram TC, Rao NS. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood
glucose and serum lipids in type I diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr
1990;44:301–6.
6. Madar Z, Abel R, Samish S, Arad J. Glucose-lowering effect of fenugreek
in non-insulin dependent diabetics. Eur J Clin Nutr
1988;42:51–4.
7. Raghuram TC, Sharma RD, Sivakumar B, Sahay BK. Effect of fenugreek
seeds on intravenous glucose disposition in non-insulin dependent diabetic
patients. Phytother Res 1994;8:83–6.
8. Sharma RD, Raghuram TC, Dayasagar Rao V. Hypolipidaemic effect of
fenugreek seeds. A clinical study. Phytother Res 1991;5:145–7.
9. Sharma RD, Sarkar DK, Hazra B, et al. Hypolipidaemic effect of
fenugreek seeds: A chronic study in non-insulin dependent diabetic
patients. Phytother Res 1996;10:332–4.
10. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al, eds. The Complete
Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.
Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 130.
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