Fenugreek seed is widely used as a culinary spice, but it's also commonly used to make medicinal remedies for a variety of ailments. The fenugreek plant originated in southeastern Europe and western Asia but is now cultivated all over the world, according to Medicinal Herb Info. Fenugreek seeds are ground into a powder and used for their demulcent, laxative and lactation stimulant properties as part of the Ayurvedic tradition, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Ayurveda, considered by scholars to be the world's oldest healing tradition, originated in India. The practice is designed to help people live longer, healthier and more balanced lives, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Before you begin to use fenugreek or any other Ayurvedic treatment, discuss it with your health care provider.
Possible Treatment for Diabetes
One research study on fenugreek that's described on PubMed.gov was held at the University of Lucknow Department of Biochemistry in Lucknow, India. This study, published in the November/December issue of "Oxidative Medicine & Cellular Longevity," showed that fenugreek extract was able to help normalize blood glucose levels in diabetic test subjects and showed the potential for helping to protect the heart. The study also noted that the fenugreek acted as an antioxidant for the test animal subjects as well. This study shows promise for fenugreek as a future treatment for diabetes and related complications.
Possible Lactation Aid
Another recent study was held at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Department of Pediatrics in Rome, Italy. The results, published in the 2010 edition of the Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences, concluded that fenugreek helped nursing mothers with lactation. Fenugreek is FDA approved for lactation.
Cancer Prevention Potential
In a clinical study conducted at the University of Pecs Institute of Public Health in Pecs, Hungary fenugreek was studied for its potential as a cancer-fighting agent. The study's results, published in the July 2010 issue of Phytotherapy Research, concluded that three compounds contained in fenugreek--trigoneoside, diosgenin and yamogenin--were able to protect the test subjects' organs from damage from known carcinogens. This shows a potential for future use of fenugreek as a cancer-prevention treatment.
May Aid in Heartburn Relief
According to a study at Columbus Nutraceuticals Consulting in Dublin, Ohio, published in the July 2010 edition of Phytotherapy Research, after patients with frequent heartburn were given a fiber product containing fenugreek seeds for two weeks, they reported fewer and less severe bouts of heartburn.
Potential Antibacterial Effects
A research study looked at fenugreek as a potential way to help reduce the risk for infection from salmonella, listeria and E. coli contamination in foods. The study was conducted at the University of Arkansas Department of Food Science in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and published in the November/December 2009 issue of the Journal of Food Science. Scientists added fenugreek extract to broth containing E. coli, listeria and salmonella contamination. When examining the broth after the fenugreek was added, the scientists concluded that the contamination levels had been reduced. The study cited fenugreek's antibacterial properties as the reason.
Possible Alternative to Traditional Hormone Replacement Therapy
A research study at Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology in Thiruvananthapuram, India and whose results were published in the June 2010 edition of the Indian Journal of Medical Research concluded that fenugreek seeds may be a natural alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ayerveda
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Fenugreek
- Medicinal Herb Info: Fenugreek
- PubMed.gov: The plant extracts of Momordica charantia and Trigonella foenum-graecum have anti-oxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties for cardiac tissue during diabetes mellitus.
- PubMed.gov: Safety and efficacy of galactogogues: substances that induce, maintain and increase breast milk production.
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