Fenugreek is an ancient spice, although currently not influenced much in
the West. It has been grown as a medicinal plant in India and Europe during
the Middle Ages. It was used by the ancient Egyptians to combat fever and
grown in classical times as cattle fodder. In India it is used medicinally
and as a yellow dyestuff. The name derives from the Latin Greek hay
illustrating its classical use as fodder.
Description of Fenugreek essential:
It is oleoresin derived from the dried ripe seeds of Trigonella
foenum-graccum commonly known as Fenugreek. The seeds of the fenugreek
contains 50% fiber from which 20 % is mucilaginous fiber. The Oleoresin of
the spice contain proteins, saponins and possess nutritive and restorative
properties. Fenugreek is an erect annual with tri-foliate leaves divided
into toothed leaflets. It produces solitary or paired yellow-white flowers
tinged with violet. Fenugreek is resembling sweet clover and lucerne
(alfa-alfa) which is a sub-tropical member of the pea family. It has been
cultivated since antiquity for its seeds, being one of the main ingredients
of the mixed spice curry.
Appearance: Thick viscous liquid
Aroma : : Bitter Pungent, Flavor
Color Brownish yellow
Chemical constituents: The endosperm of seeds is rich in
galactomannan. Young seeds mainly contain sugar and carbohydrate, mature
seeds contain amino acid, fatty acid, saponins, vitamins. It also contains
saponaretin, gitogenin, diosgenin and neogitogenin.
Extraction: It is obtained by the solvent extraction of
the dried seeds
Aromatherapy uses:
It is used for painful menstruation, labor pains and insufficient
lactation. It is often used for weight loss, anorexia and for poor appetite.
In Ayurvedic medicine it is used for rejuvenation and as an aphrodisiac as
well as for digestive and bronchial complaints, gout and arthritis.
Fenugreek has been considered carminative, demulcent, expectorant, laxative
and stomachic. The plant has also been employed against bronchitis, fevers,
sore throats, wounds swollen glands, skin irritations, diabetes, ulcers and
in the treatment of cancer . Fenugreek has been used to promote lactation
and as an aphrodisiac.
Pharmaceutical uses:
Fenugreek is used to treat diabetes in adults (late-onset diabetes), poor
digestion, gastric inflammation, digestive disorders and tuberculosis.
Fenugreek is reputed to aid in digestion. Acting as an expectorant, it
contains mucilagins which are known for soothing and relaxing inflamed
tissues and fights infection, alleviates coughing, relieves congestion,
reduces inflammation, stimulates perspiration to reduce fevers and is
beneficial for treating allergies and bronchitis. Fenugreek is also an
excellent source of selenium, an anti-radiant which helps the body utilize
oxygen and is also a natural source of iron, silicon, sodium and thiamine.
It is reputed to be used in conjunction with insulin to aid in diabetes and
also to lower blood pressure.
Flavor industry:
Fenugreek is most commonly used in Indian cooking as one of the components
of good curry powder, strong spice blends and chutney. Fenugreek is also
used in some African cooking and is one of the many spices in the hot
Ethiopian pepper blend called berbere. Roasting fenugreek a bit before
adding it to the dish can reduce the bitterness and enhance its caramel-like
flavor. The fish curry is a delightful concoction, in which the fenugreek
plays well off the nutty coconut . The maple aroma and flavor of fenugreek
has led to its use in many baked goods, chutneys, confections and imitation
maple syrup .For culinary purposes, seeds are ground and used in curries.
Young seedlings and other portions of fresh plant material are eaten as
vegetables. The plant is quite nutritious, being high in proteins, ascorbic
acid, niacin, and potassium .
Fenugreek is also used as a livestock feed.
The most common uses of fenugreek today are culinary, such as providing a
maple flavor for confectioneries, an ingredient of curry powders, and as an
enhancement for meats and poultry.
Alvita teas---Fenugreek seed teas
It has been a new innovative approach of developing herbal teas called as
fenugreek herbal teas. A new way of developing a new foil package, a
recyclable innovation that keeps the tea fresher and longer. This philosophy
is the very reason of finding sensible, English pillow style tea bags that
are oxygen bleached, not chlorine treated.
Other uses:
Seeds are also used to produce a yellow dye for coloring wool. As Fenugreek
spread around the Mediterranean, ancient physicians learned that its seeds
contained a great deal of mucilage and when mixed with water provided many
health benefits.
