Natural Remedies of the Middle East: Fenugreek

Fenugreek is an annual herb which has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine. It has many benefits, and can be considered a “multi-purpose” remedy.

The health benefits of fenugreek include:

Reduces inflammation both inside and outside the body to fight:
- Digestive problems and heartburn (source)
- Arthritis (source)
- Coronary artery disease (source)
- Muscle aches and pains
- Cough and congestion (source)
- Cancer (source). Find more cancer-fighting foods here.
- Elevated cholesterol (source and source)
- Reduce fever (source)
- Eczema, acne, or skin infections (source): consume the tea, or blend the seeds with yogurt or water and apply to your skin twice a day. Leave on for about 20-30 minutes, then rinse off.
- Gout
- Dandruff: rinse your hair with fenugreek tea
- Mouth ulcers
- Menstrual cramps
Lowers blood sugar in diabetic patients (source, source, and source)
- Consume powdered fenugreek seeds soaked in hot water
Stimulates and increases milk supply in breastfeeding mamas (source and source)
- This can occur in as quickly as 23 hours!
Improves sexual health and libido in men (source) and women (source)
Boosts brain function
- Prevents age-related memory loss, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. (source)

How to Use Fenugreek:

consume as a tea (see recipe below)
consume in pill form (where to buy)
make into a paste to help heal inflammation: blend the seeds with yogurt or water and apply to your skin twice a day. Leave on for about 20-30 minutes, then rinse off.
use as a spice in cooking (also known as methi seeds), and as a thickening agent in foods. The seeds are mildly bitter, but have a nice taste when cooked. The leaves are often used in cooking as well.

How to Make Fenugreek Tea

Lightly crush 1 teaspoon of seeds for each cup of water. Add the seeds to boiling water and steep for about 3 minutes. Strain and sweetened with honey or stevia, if desired. Drink 1-3 cups per day, hot or cold.

Precautions When Using Fenugreek

Fenugreek may cause uterine contractions and is therefore not recommended during pregnancy. (It is safe to take while breastfeeding)
When taken by mouth, fenugreek may cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea.
People allergic to peanuts, soybeans, chickpeas, and green peas may also be allergic to fenugreek.
People with bleeding disorders or who take blood-thinning medications should not consume fenugreek.
Since fenugreek may lower your blood sugar, use caution if you are taking diabetic medications.
If using on the skin, always test a small area first.