What is fenugreek
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a plant that grows spontaneously in coastal and submontane environments. Probably native to western Asia, it has a particular odor, repulsive for some, pleasant and characteristic for others. It is no coincidence that the cultivation of this plant is also destined for the perfume industry.
Active principles
The drug consists of its hard, grayish seeds. It is obtained from the fruits which, once fully ripe, are dried in the open air and subjected to beating and husking. Inside there is an alkaloid called trigonellin 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 tinges. Its nauseating taste is usually corrected with natural flavors such as anise, raspberry or lemon balm. For the same reason, if used during breastfeeding, it gives the milk an unpleasant taste, which could be poorly tolerated by the baby.
Fenugreek as a food
In various parts of the world, fenugreek is also used as a food: in Arab countries it is traditional to enrich dishes intended for engaged girls with its seeds, in order to soften the body shapes and make them more desirable in the eyes of the husband. In India fenugreek is used in curry while in America the oil obtained from the seeds is used in baked goods and ice cream.
Property
Restorative
Fenugreek seed extract boasts restorative and stimulating properties that make it suitable for malnutrition, anemia, infantile frailty, convalescence and breastfeeding (its emmenagogic properties were already known at the time of the ancient Egyptians).
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 fair biological value, are associated with anti-nutritional factors, present 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 Glycemia
In literature there are also studies that attribute to the "seed extract hypocholesterolemic and hypotiglyceridemic properties. It has also been shown that fenugreek seeds have the ability to lower blood sugar, modulating the absorption of sugars. Both these characteristics are related to" abundant presence of dehydrated fibers which, once arrived in the intestine, absorb water, increasing intestinal motility and consequently reducing the absorption of nutrients. Furthermore, the stimulatory effect on the excretion of bile acids, which - probably attributable to saponins - facilitates the elimination of excess cholesterol from the body, should also be noted.
Cancer prevention
Finally, the possible positive effect on the prevention of colon and breast cancer (which can always be explained by the abundant presence of fiber) should be noted.
How to use
The normal dose of fenugreek extracts varies from one to three grams of dry extract per day.
Side effects
The low toxicity of fenugreek is evidenced by the results of numerous studies. However, there have been reports of mild intestinal side effects.
On the other hand, it is not recommended during pregnancy, to avoid unwanted increases in uterine contractility, and during breastfeeding, due to the unpleasant taste given to milk.
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