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BOTANICAL NAME: Trigonella foenum graecum L.
FAMILY NAME: Fabaceae/Papilionaceae
Fenugreek is a native of Eastern Europe and Ethiopia. It has been used since ancient times both a a food and medicine by the people living on the shores of the mediteranean and across Asia.
The leaves of Fenugreek contains:
- Moisture - 86.1%
- Protien - 4.4%
- Fats - 0.9%
- Minerals - 1.5%
- Fibre - 1.1%
- Carbohydrates - 6.0%
Its mineral and vitamins contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin, niacin and Vitamin C.
Calorific value of fenugreek leaves is 49.
Fenugreek seeds contains:
- Moisture - 13.7%
- Protien - 26.2%
- Fat - 5.8%
- Mineral - 3.0%
- Fibre - 7.2%
- Carbohydrate - 44.1%
Their mineral and vitamins contents are calcium, phosphorus, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin.
Several alkaloids have been found in Fenugreek seeds.
Calorific value of Fenugreek seed is 333.
Fenugreek herb Use and side effects
Fenugreek has excellent medicinal virtues. Its regular use helps keep the body clean and healthy. The leaves of fenugreek are aromatic, cooling and mild lexative. The seeds exercise soothing effect on the skin and mucous membranes, relieving any irritation of the skin and alleviating swelling and pain. They increase the secretion and discharge of urine, relieve flatulence and promote lactation in nursing mothers. They also arrest any secretion or bleeding and have an aphrodisiac effect. They are the best cleansers within the body, highly mucous-solvent and soothing agent.
Medicinal uses of Fenugreek
a preparation where seeds are soaked in water until they swell and form a thick paste is used to prevent fevers, is comforting to the stomach and has been utilized for diabetes. Alcoholic tincture are used to prepare emollient cream, ointments and plasters while the mucilage is used externally as a poultice for skin infections such as abscesses, boils and carbuncles. It is also good at relieving rickects, anaemia and scrofula, while, combined with the normal dosage of conventional medicine e.g. insulin, it is helpful in gout, diabetes and neurasthenia. It is widely used as a flavouring for both human and cattle feed.
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