Trigonella foenum-graecum, more commonly known as fenugreek, is a plant people use as a food, a flavoring agent and an herbal remedy. Derived from dried seeds, fenugreek has a role in ayurveda, a traditional medicinal system of India. It can be taken as a liquid or dried extract, or brewed into a tea. Consult with a qualified health care provider before beginning any herbal therapy.
Benefits
Fenugreek reduces both blood sugar and cholesterol, according to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and thus has potential benefits for people with type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol levels. Additionally, fenugreek tea has traditional uses for stimulating appetite and relieving stomach upset, and the mucilage content of this herb may help relieve constipation. Fenugreek also may have protective effects on the liver, as shown by research with animals that have alcohol-induced liver damage, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Mixed Evidence
Fenugreek tea may help stimulate lactation in breastfeeding women, although experts disagree. While the MSKCC says insufficient evidence is available to recommend fenugreek for this purpose, registered nurse and lactation consultant Kathleen Huggins finds that fenugreek does boost milk supply. Writing at Baby Center, Huggins says she recommends fenugreek capsules or tea to mothers not producing sufficient milk, and that nearly all these women experience increased milk supply within 72 hours.
How It Works
Fenugreek may lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels by decreasing absorption of sugar and cholesterol in the digestive tract, explains the MSKCC. And an amino acid in fenugreek activates insulin secretion and increases insulin effectiveness, which makes the body's utilization of sugar more effective. Fenugreek also may increase bile secretion, which helps digest fats and ease stomach upset.
Fenugreek Tea
Fenugreek tea is available commercially in several brands, or you can make it yourself with fenugreek seeds. A tea recipe from NutraSanus involves soaking 500 mg of fenugreek seed in 5 oz. of cold water for at least three hours, then straining the seeds from the liquid. You can drink the tea cold, or heat it if you prefer.
Few Side Effects
Fenugreek is rarely associated with side effects and is considered nontoxic, according to the BIDMC. In high doses, it may cause mild digestive problems such as gas or diarrhea. Fenugreek tea may change the color and smell of your urine, and sometimes makes urine smell like maple syrup. Pregnant women should not take fenugreek in high doses because animal research indicates it causes uterine contractions, according to the BIDMC. As with any herbal remedy, some people may experience an allergic reaction to fenugreek tea. Drugs.com advises seeking immediate medical attention if you develop hives, difficulty breathing, throat closing or facial or mouth swelling.
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