Traditionally used in herbal medicine, fenugreek aids in digestion, relieving mucus, promoting healthy blood glucose and lipid levels and promoting breast milk production.
Supports healthy blood glucose and blood lipid levels
Helps to promote breast milk production
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum) is an annual plant native to the Middle East. Fenugreek seeds are commonly roasted and used in Indian cuisine.
This tasty seed has a long history of being used medicinally. For a long time, fenugreek has been traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes as it helps to regulate blood sugar levels. It is used as a digestive aid, helping with anything from increasing appetite, promoting healthy stomach acid levels and assisting with bowel regularity.
Fenugreek breaks down excess mucus in the upper respiratory tract, but also is mucilaginous (slimy, in layman's terms) in itself and soothing to the digestive system and skin. The mucilaginous fibres of these seeds also give them a low glycemic load, helping to slow down the release of sugars into the bloodstream with the food they are eaten with. Along with its antioxidants, these fibres also help to keep blood lipid levels healthy, aiding in cardiovascular health.
Breast milk production is something fenugreek has also been used for for centuries. As a phytoestrogen, it can help modulate excess or deficient estrogen levels. This can contribute to healthy breast milk production in lactating moms.
MEDICINAL INGREDIENT — EACH VEGETARIAN CAPSULE CONTAINS:
Fenugreek (Dried seed) (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) 500 mg.
Take 2 capsules 3 times per day with adequate fluid before a meal.
CAUTIONS:
Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or if you have diabetes.
Q: You mention that fenugreek is a phytoestrogen. Can you tell me more about that? A: A phytoestrogen is an estrogen-like molecule, produced by plants. When humans eat these phytoestrogens, they can act like weak estrogens in our system. This can be beneficial to block powerful xenoestrogens (man-made estrogens found in things like plastic and pesticides) or to support one’s own low estrogen levels. There is mixed research if phytoestrogens are good or bad for those with a hormone-related cancer, so check with your healthcare provider before consuming in supplement form if this applies to you.
Q: What other kinds of plants contain phytoestrogens? A: So many plants contain these compounds. Soybeans and other legumes, seeds like flax and sesame, grains including oats, barley, wheat and rice, yams, apples, carrots, etc., etc. Our healthy diet consists of many phytoestrogens that regularly help to protect us.
Q: Is it true that fenugreek is sometimes taken for breast enlargement? A: It’s an American folk practice that women would eat sprouted fenugreek seeds as a form of non-surgical breast enlargement.
Q: What’s this I hear about fenugreek smelling like maple syrup? A: One of the phytochemicals in fenugreek, soloton, gives it a maple syrup-like smell. It is sometimes used in making artificial maple flavouring. Some people might even find that when they consume a lot of fenugreek they may get a maple-like smell to their sweat and urine!
Q: Are there other cuisines that use fenugreek? A: For sure. Fresh fenugreek leaves are also used in certain curry dishes, and eaten as a salad green. The seeds are also used in Turkish, Iranian, Georgian, and Egyptian cuisines.
