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Open Source Apothecary At Home / The herbs
A seed with real blood-sugar and lactation evidence, and a strong smell. — Trigonella foenum-graecum
remedyFenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed is one of the better-evidenced kitchen spices: randomised trials show modest reductions in fasting blood glucose in type 2 diabetes, attributed to its soluble fibre and to a constituent that may slow carbohydrate absorption.
The effect is modest and it is not a diabetes treatment. Diet, weight and exercise change blood sugar far more than fenugreek does, and fenugreek is not a substitute for metformin where metformin is indicated.
It is also the most commonly used galactagogue — a herb to increase milk supply. The trial evidence is mixed and generally weak, and it is worth knowing that most perceived low supply is a latch or frequency problem rather than a supply problem, which is a clinician's and a lactation consultant's assessment rather than a herb's.
Practical points: the seed is bitter and strongly maple-scented, it is used ground or soaked, and it will make sweat and urine smell of maple syrup.
It grows easily as an annual legume and fixes nitrogen, which makes it a useful plant to have.
Results from clinical trials suggest that fenugreek extract supplement has an effect on serum total testosterone levels in male.PubMed 32048383 ↗
There is no high quality evidence to support the effectiveness of any dietary supplement for dysmenorrhoea, and evidence of safety is lacking.PubMed 27000311 ↗
Among the RCT studies, the best evidence in glycemic control was found in Citrullus colocynthus, Ipomoea betatas, Silybum marianum and Trigonella foenum graecum.PubMed 22071637 ↗
Saliva may be preferred for measuring free testosterone due to no protein-bound testosterone.PubMed 39288153 ↗
The findings from this trial suggest that SG showed significant improvement in OSMF than CG, whereas the improvements in leukoplakia and lichen planus remained same in both groups.PubMed 39873252 ↗
This study found no evidence for the effect of consuming LCs on HMPR, PIM, or breastfeeding self-efficacy in exclusively breastfeeding parents with an overall adequate perceived milk supply.PubMed 36921902 ↗
| | | |---|---| | Life | Annual legume | | Propagation | Direct-sow after last frost | | Light | Full sun | | Soil | Any reasonable; fixes nitrogen | | Harvest seed | When pods dry and rattle | | Dry | Pods in a paper bag | | Note | A good cover-crop companion |
Direct-sow, harvest the pods when dry, and shake the seed out. It is a legume, so it improves the soil it grows in.
Seed, soaked or ground — soak overnight to reduce bitterness; add ground seed to food.
Tea — crushed seed, 5-10 minutes; strong-tasting.
For blood sugar — the trials used 5-10 g daily of seed or extract, alongside diet.
For lactation — capsules or tea; the evidence is mixed, and talk to a lactation consultant first.
Culinary — the safest use; fenugreek leaf (methi) is a good green.