FENUGREEK

Description

Erect annual herb, 30-60 cm high. Rounded, branched and hollow stem. Trifoliate and petiolate leaves. The papillionaceous, white-yellowish flowers start at the leave axil. The fruit is a legume (falciform sheath) held inside between 10 to 20 square, yellow or brown seeds, divided in two unequal halves by a groove.

Fenugreek is a native to western Asia, currently has a Mediterranean and even American distribution. It is cultivated in India, China and Ukraine.

Part used

The seeds.

Indications

• To recover from anorexia, weight loss, asthenia and general convalescences.
• Anemia
• Type II diabetes mellitus
• Gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer
• Rickets and osteomalacia
• Hepatitis
• Constipation
• Upper respiratory tract cold
• Acne
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Oxalic lithiasis.
• Topical application: stomatitis, gingivitis, pharyngitis, furuncles, blepharitis, abscesses, conjunctivitis, vaginitis, crural ulcers, eczema.

*** Fenugreek is used in cooking and cosmetics for its aroma.

It is also used to provide diosgenin to industry, the base for steroidal hormones hemi-synthesis.

Bibliography

Plantas medicinales y drogas vegetales para infusión y tisana. Edición española a cargo de S. Cañigueral, R. Vila y M. Wichtl. 1998.

Catálogo de plantas medicinales. Consejo General de Colegios Oficiales de Farmacéuticos. 2003.

Fitoterapia aplicada. J.B. Peris, G. Stübing y B. Vanaclocha. Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos de Valencia 1995.

Fitoterapia. Vademecum de prescripción. B. Vanaclocha y S. Cañigueral. Masson, 4ª edición.

PDR  for Herbal Medicines. Medical Economics Company, Montvale Second Edition, 2000; pp304-5.

Blumenthal M., Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Herbal Medicine, Expanded Commission E Monographs. Integrative Medicine Communications, Newton. First Edition, 2000, pp 130-3.

Botanical Influences on Illness. Melvin R., Werbach MD., Michael T Murray ND. Third Line Press.