Fenugreek: use, properties, and tradition

Fenugreek is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Fabaceae family (formerly Leguminosae); it reaches a height of 30-50 cm and has simple or branched stems at the base.

Its botanical name, Trigonella foenum-graecum L., derives from the Latin trigonum = triangle, because the leaves resemble those of clover, and foenum-graecum = hay because it is used as fodder, and Greek to define the presumed origin of the species.

The leaves are petiolate and composed of 3 elongated-obovate leaflets, 15-30 mm long and 8-12 mm wide, with serrated margins.

The flowers are inserted in the axil of the leaves and are solitary or in pairs; they are narrow and about 1 cm long and 3-4 mm wide. The seeds, which represent the drug, are rectangular or rhomboid in shape; they are flattened, 4-5 mm long and 3 mm wide, yellow-gray and opaque in color, with an oblique groove that seems to divide them into two parts; they have a characteristic odor and a sweetish, then bitter taste.

The seeds are harvested in July-August.

The plant is also cultivated as fodder, as its name suggests, but it is not fed to cows or slaughter animals because the milk and meat of animals that eat it acquire a characteristic odor, which is not pleasant to consumers.

Fenugreek drug contains steroid saponins, alkaloids (trigonelline), phytin, lecithin, essential oil, nicotinic acid, proteins, mucilages (galactomannans), flavonoids, and lipids.

The recognized properties of the plant are numerous, and it is very versatile as it can help as a tonic, stomachic, galactogogue, hypocholesterolemic, emollient, refreshing, and hypoglycemic.

It is used as an emollient and balsamic for the respiratory tract, especially in the presence of catarrh. It is considered an excellent tonic, indicated for convalescents, underweight people, and athletes.

It can be taken as an infusion (of the powder) to help with lactation in puerperae; as powdered itself, useful for gaining weight, as a tonic for athletes, and as a tonic in convalescence; mother tincture in case of hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, anemia, hypertension, gastric ulcers, inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract; as tablets to resolve hypercholesterolemias and as a tonic; and as a poultice made from flour and hot water for local applications in case of rheumatic pains, boils, ulcers, eczema, and psoriasis.

From an alimurgical point of view, fenugreek is mainly used in the East, where it is called Helba Herb: an important use is in the composition of masalas, especially in spicy curries from Sri Lanka, and in vindaloo.

It is also part of the composition of panch phoron, the Indian mixture of 5 spices, and berberè; also widely used in pickles and chutneys, giving them a pungent aroma; and mixed with flour, it is used to make aromatic bread.

In the Middle East, it is part of the composition of Halva, a typical dessert.

Yemenites use fenugreek and chili peppers to cook their national sauce, Hilbeh.

The ancient Arabs considered fenugreek a good luck charm and bid farewell to a dear person departing with these words:

“May you always walk on a land where helba herb grows!”

 

ANJA LATINI

Registered Herbalist at RNEP no. GLT0018S