Botanical name: Trigonella
foenum-graecum
Parts used and where grown
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 are used
medicinally.
Fenugreek has been used in connection with the following conditions
(refer to the individual health concern for
complete information):
Historical or traditional use
(may or may not be supported by scientific
studies)
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
Fenugreek seeds contain alkaloids (mainly trigonelline) and protein
high in lysine and L-tryptophan. Its steroidal saponins (diosgenin,
yamogenin, tigogenin, and neotigogenin) and mucilaginous fiber are
thought to account for many of the beneficial effects of fenugreek. The
steroidal saponins are thought to inhibit cholesterol absorption and
synthesis,2 while the fiber may help lower blood sugar
levels.3 One human study found that fenugreek can help lower
cholesterol and blood sugar levels in people with moderate
atherosclerosis and non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes.4
Preliminary and double-blind trials have found that fenugreek helps
improve blood sugar control in patients with insulin-dependent (type 1)
and non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes.5 6
7 Double-blind trials have shown that fenugreek lowers
elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood,8
9 This has also been found in a controlled clinical trial
with diabetic patients with elevated cholesterol.10
Generally, fenugreek does not lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels.
How much is usually taken?
Due to the somewhat bitter taste of fenugreek seeds, de-bitterized
seeds or encapsulated products are preferred. The German Commission E
monograph recommends a daily intake of 6 grams.11 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 three times per day.
Are there any side effects or
interactions?
Use of more than 100 grams of fenugreek seeds daily can cause
intestinal upset and nausea. Otherwise, fenugreek is extremely safe. Due
to the potential uterine stimulating properties of fenugreek, which may
cause miscarriages, fenugreek should not be used during pregnancy.12
Are there any drug
interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with fenugreek. Refer to drug
interactions for a list of those medicines.
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. Prasanna M. Hypolipidemic effect of fenugreek: A
clinical study. Indian J Phramcol 2000;32:34–6.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Brinker F. Herb Contradictions and Drug
Interactions. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998, 70–1.
