You may recognize fenugreek as a commonly used cooking spice. Its seeds add flavor to a variety of foods. It's also used as a medicinal herb to treat a variety of health conditions, says Medicinal Herb Info. Before starting to take fenugreek as a medicinal treatment, ask your health care provider for advice.
History
Fenugreek has a very interesting past. In Europe, it has been a prized spice and used in many culinary dishes for centuries. In the 19th century, it was a featured ingredient in Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, a patented medication for menopausal and menstrual problems. You can still find fenugreek in various recipes of pickles, curry powders and spice mixtures. Its strong maple aroma and taste also allow it to be used in imitation maple syrup.
Medicinal Uses
Fenugreek has long been a part of the Ayervedic health system and is still commonly used to treat conditions such as skin ulcers, muscle pain, lymphadenitis, inflammation, infection, high cholesterol, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and alopecia, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC, website. Drugs.com adds that fenugreek is used to treat cellulitis, boils and tuberculosis. It's also a powerful antioxidant.
Research
Fenugreek has shown promise in lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics, according research described on the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine website. One 2004 study described clinical research that seems to confirm fenugreek's blood sugar lowering properties in diabetic patients. So far, however, little other research supports the health treatment uses for fenugreek.
Side Effects
Generally, fenugreek in foods and in normal doses is considered safe. The MSKCC site advises pregnant or breast-feeding women not to take fenugreek, due its potential for causing uterine contractions and the lack of information about how it can affect the unborn or nursing child. Some people may experience an allergic reaction to it, so watch for hives or a rash when you are exposed to this spice. Also, some people experience diarrhea, flatulence and other gastrointestinal problems when taking fenugreek, according to the website.
Interactions
Fenugreek may have harmful interactions with some medications or herbal supplements says the MSKCC website. It advises people who take blood thinners, medications to treat diabetes or certain antidepressants to avoid taking fenugreek. The site says that fenugreek may affect the efficacy of other medications, so it should not be taken at the same time. If you have questions about whether fenugreek will interact with your other supplements or medications, ask your pharmacist or health care provider.
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