What is fenugreek
Fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum ) is a plant that grows wild in coastal and sub-mountainous environments. Probably native to western Asia, it has a particular odor, repugnant to some, pleasant and characteristic for others. It is no coincidence that the cultivation of this plant is also intended for the perfume industry.
Active principles
The drug consists of its hard, greyish seeds. It is obtained from fruits that, once they have reached full maturity, are dried in the open air and subjected to beating and peeling. Inside they contain an alkaloid called trigonellina and responsible, together with the mucilages, for the emollient and expectorant virtues of Trigonella.
The powder obtained from the seeds is usually reddish or gray with yellow shades. Its nauseating flavor is generally corrected with natural aromas such as Anise, Raspberry or Melissa. For the same reason, if used during breastfeeding, it gives the milk an unpleasant taste, which could be badly tolerated by the child.
Fenugreek as food
In various parts of the world, fenugreek is also used as a food: in Arab countries it is traditional to enrich dishes for girls who are engaged with its seeds, in order to soften the body shapes and make them more desirable in the eyes of the husband. In India the fenugreek is used in curry while in America the oil obtained from the seeds is used in baked goods and ice cream.
Property
Means
The extract of fenugreek seeds has reconstituting and stimulating properties that make it suitable in the case of malnutrition, anemia, infantile gracility, convalescence and breastfeeding (its emmenagogue properties were already known in ancient Egyptian times).
All these properties are linked to the good presence of mineral salts (iron, manganese, copper, magnesium) and vitamins (B6, thiamine and riboflavin), vegetable oils, organic phosphates, fats and proteins. The latter, despite having a reasonable biological value, are associated with anti-nutritional factors, present a little in all vegetable protein sources. These are substances that limit the action of digestive enzymes, lowering the nutritional value of the product. Their action is greatly reduced by cooking the foods that contain them.
The good vitamin and mineral balance would also justify its alleged aphrodisiac virtues.
Control of Cholesterol and Blood Glucose
There are also studies in the literature that attribute hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemizing properties to the seed extract. It has also been shown that the seeds of fenugreek have the ability to lower blood sugar by modulating the absorption of sugars. Both these characteristics are linked to the abundant presence of dehydrated fibers which, once they reach the intestine, absorb water, increasing intestinal motility and consequently reducing nutrient absorption. Also noteworthy is the stimulatory effect on the excretion of bile acids which - probably due to saponins - facilitates the elimination of excess cholesterol from the body.
Tumor prevention
Finally, it is worth noting the possible positive effect on the prevention of colon and breast cancer (which can always be explained thanks to the abundant presence of fiber).
Mode of use
The normal dose of fenugreek extracts varies from one to three grams of dry extract per day.
Side effects
The poor toxicity of fenugreek is evidenced by the results of numerous studies. However, cases of mild intestinal side effects have been reported.
Instead it is not recommended during pregnancy, to avoid unwanted increases in uterine contractility, and in the process, due to the unpleasant taste given to milk.
