Fenugreek Seed Benefits

Fenugreek is considered one of the oldest medicinal plants, and is grown throughout India, the Mediterranean, Egypt, the Middle East, Argentina, and North Africa.

The use of fenugreek was first recorded on ancient Egyptian papyrus around the date of 1500 BCE.

The fenugreek plant is an annual herb that grows two to three feet tall, its leaves are used in cooking, and the pods carry about 20 small yellow-brown, flat, aromatic, and pungent seeds. Fenugreek has been used in many cultures, and therefore has multiple names including methi, methika, Greek clover, trigonelle, woo lu bar, hu lu ba, Greek hay, bockshornklee, bockshornsame, and bird’s foot.

A Nutritional Analysis of Fenugreek Seeds

About fenugreek seeds that make it so nutritious? Fenugreek seed is known for its iron content; it contains 20% of your daily value in just one tablespoon. The seeds also contain manganese, copper, protein, fiber, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin B6, folate, calcium and zinc, and traces of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin C, sodium, and selenium.

The following is a comprehensive chart for a tablespoon’s worth; that’s about all you need for your dishes:

Fenugreek Seeds Nutrition Chart (1 tbsp)

Nutrient	Amount	Daily Value
Calories	35.5	2%
Carbohydrates	6.4 g	2%
Fiber	2.7 g	11%
Total Fat	0.7 g	1%
Protein	2.5 g	5%
Vitamin A	6.6 IU	N/A
Vitamin C	0.3 mg	1%
Vitamin B3	0.2 mg	1%
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg	3%
Folate	6.3 mcg	2%
Calcium	19.4 mg	2%
Iron	3.7 mg	20%
Magnesium	21 mg	5%
Phosphorus	32.6 mg	3%
Potassium	84.7 mg	2%
Zinc	0.3 mg	2%
Copper	0.1 mg	6%
Manganese	0.1 mg	7%
Selenium	0.7 mcg	1%
Phytosterols	15.4 mg	N/A

Benefits of Fenugreek Seeds

Although more research is needed to confirm the potential benefits, there is plenty to like about these seeds from a health perspective. Like most aromatic and Indian herbs, fenugreek is great for inflammation. Fenugreek seed extract and oil are both loaded with helpful properties (e.g., antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, to name a few). Here are some of those benefits in a little more detail:

1. Weight loss

What are the benefits of fenugreek seeds for weight loss? The fiber contained within fenugreek seeds can help you suppress appetite, which in turn aids with weight loss. Try chewing on fenugreek seeds each morning on an empty stomach.

2. May benefit diabetes patients

Fenugreek seeds can benefit diabetes patients due to a natural soluble fiber called galactomannan, which helps slow the rate of sugar absorption into the blood. A study published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics in 2010 found that fenugreek seeds are not only useful in controlling blood sugar levels in diabetic rats, but that they also protect against kidney and heart damage caused by diabetes-induced oxidative stress.

3. Skin health

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in fenugreek seeds are also important for skin health. Fenugreek seed benefits for skin include treatments for boils, scars, burns, acne, eczema, wounds, leg ulcers, and local skin inflammation. The anti-inflammatory activity of fenugreek seeds is due to steroids and glycoside derivatives.

4. Hair health

There are also fenugreek seed benefits for hair. You can make a great paste out of them for hair health. Simply massage your head with boiled fenugreek seeds that have been soaked overnight in coconut oil. It’s a great remedy for hair loss or hair thinning, and it’s also used for skin-related hair problems like dandruff.

5. Increases libido

Fenugreek seed benefits for men include treatments for hernias and male pattern baldness, and especially for erectile dysfunction. Fenugreek can increase testosterone levels and sexual arousal, and fenugreek supplements have been proven to increase sexual performance and sexual desire.

6. Women’s health

Fenugreek also contains compounds with estrogen-like properties, including isoflavones and diosgenin, which help decrease the cramps and discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome. These compounds also help ease the symptoms of menopause, such as mood fluctuations and hot flashes. Fenugreek is also thought to help induce childbirth through the stimulation of uterine contractions, and can reduce labor pain, but excess fenugreek may result in premature birth or miscarriage during pregnancy.

7. Possible treatment and prevention of cancer

Fenugreek is also useful in the treatment and prevention of cancer. The fiber in fenugreek is thought to bind to the toxins in food and flush them out of the body, which can help protect the colon from cancer.

8. Promotes milk flow in breastfeeding mothers

Fenugreek is considered important for nursing mothers due to the presence of diosgenin, which is thought to increase milk production. Several studies show that fenugreek promotes milk flow.

9. May Help treat eating disorders

The restorative and nutritive properties found in fenugreek can help increase appetite. Researchers found that fenugreek extract significantly increased the motivation to eat in rats. That said, the researchers also noted that fenugreek did not prevent drug-induced anorexia.

10. Exercise performance

A study reported that the combination of fenugreek extract and creatine supplementation impacted body composition and upper body strength as effectively as a creatine and dextrose combination. In one study it was observed that participants completed resistance-training program for an eight-week period. The fenugreek-and-creatine group showed increases in lean mass, and leg press and bench press strength. Fenugreek combines well with creatine to eliminate the need for high amounts of carbs when training.

11. Digestion

Fenugreek is thought to help with numerous types of digestive problems, including inflammation of the stomach, upset stomach, constipation, indigestion, and heartburn. Fenugreek is often used in combination with other herbal remedies in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and ulcer issues.

12. May treat high cholesterol and heart disease

Fenugreek plays a key part in heart health due to the presence of galactomannan. The high amount of potassium in fenugreek also helps control blood pressure and heart rate. In a study published it was found that fenugreek significantly lowered cholesterol and triglycerides without affecting HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

13. Arthritis treatment

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of fenugreek mucilage on arthritic rats. The research team after the test were possitive they believe that fenugreek may be effective to help treat arthritis.