Fenugreek - Kitchen medicine

I have barely hit my 40s and I have so many health issues that sometimes I laugh at myself.I'm like a melting pot of every illness.With the kind of lifestyle one has made oneself used too....diseases like diabetes, hypertension,cholesterol ,uric acid...these are household names nowadays.But back when I was kid...it was like grandma has diabetes..or great someone has something.Lets face it....we are what we eat.We no longer have access to organic food...we have fruits and vegetables that are available in every season..thanks to genetic engineering or whatever...we have fruits and veggies that are larger,shinier and look more plastic than real.Since these things are beyond our control as we live in concrete jungles..we can always revert to age old remedies our grandmothers used and spoke about and we ignored cause we were the educated and modern generation who leaps for things rather than walk for it.

Let me not make this a lament for our bad choice of food consumption and go in directly to the topic of the day...fenugreek.

I had a total hysterectomy last year and I'm in my mid 30s ,due to medical long standing medical problems.So I was plunged into menopause overnight.I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension almost a decade back.Because of my menopause, I suddenly had high sugar levels and my blood pressure was always more than 140/90.I didn't go for the hormonal treatment as my Gyni suggested I better not go the therapy as I had just weaned off of prednisolone ,which I take for my rheumatoid arthritis.

So since I have started taking overnight soaked fenugreek seeds in water every morning, on an empty stomach,with every passing week,my blood sugar is going down (getting better) and losing a little weight too.Blood pressure is still a bit cranky but hopefully that too shall get normal.I stress a lot over nothing sometimes...oh the fenugreek seeds...

So here's the benefits which I have copied from various sites.Please read and inshallah,it may prove helpful to you or someone you love.

Firstly, This is fenugreek seeds.

South Indians use this very often in most of their sea foods and herbal medicines.....so it isn't greek to us....

We add the leaves to some of the dals and eat it as well.They are absolutely delicious.

Fenugreek seeds have been found to contain protein, vitamin C, niacin, potassium, and diosgenin (which is a compound that has properties similar to estrogen). Other active constituents in fenugreek are alkaloids, lysine and L-tryptophan, as well as steroidal saponins (diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, and neotigogenin).

What are the Benefits of Fenugreek?

Due to its estrogen-like properties, fenugreek seeds have been found to help increase libido and lessen the effect of hot flashes and mood fluctuations that are common symptoms of menopause and PMS. In India and China it has also been used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, improve digestion, maintain a healthy metabolism, increase libido and male potency, cure skin problems (wounds, rashes and boils), treat sore throat, and cure acid reflux. Fenugreek also has a long history of use for the treatment of reproductive disorders, to induce labor, to treat hormonal disorders, to help with breast enlargement, and to reduce menstrual pain. Recent studies have shown that Fenugreek helps lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and may be an effective treatment for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. It is also being studied for its cardiovascular benefits.

Uses of Fenugreek

HOME REMEDY FOR BALANCING CHOLESTEROL

Studies have found people who took 2 ounces (56g) of fenugreek seed each day had significantly (around 14 percent) lower cholesterol levels after 24 weeks, and had lowered their risk of heart attack by more than 25 percent. Therefore, a recommended remedy for lowering cholesterol is to take 2 ounces of seeds throughout the day. The seeds can be sprinkled onto prepared food, or they can be consumed with water if they are in capsule form.

TREATING DIABETES AND LOWERING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS

Studies have shown that participants with type 2 diabetes had significantly lower blood sugar levels after eating fenugreek seeds. Therefore, a recommended home remedy for treating Type 2 diabetes is to consume 500mg of fenugreek seed twice daily.

HERBAL CURE FOR SKIN INFLAMMATION

Research has shown that Fenugreek is an effective topical treatment for skin problems such as abscesses, boils, burns, eczema, and gout. Therefore, a simple skin inflammation remedy is the following:

• Take a spoonful of fenugreek seeds and grind them into a powder.
• Mix the ground powder with warm water.
• Take a simple piece of clean cloth and soak it into the mixture.
• Apply the soaked cloth directly onto the affected skin as a poultice.

NATURAL CURE FOR HEARTBURN AND ACID REFLUX

Fenugreek seeds contain a lot of mucilage, which helps sooth gastrointestinal inflammation by coating the lining of the stomach and intestine. Therefore, for an effective remedy against heartburn or Acid Reflux, simply sprinkle 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds onto your food. Another option is to take one teaspoon of seeds and swallow them with water or juice before any meal.

HOME REMEDY FOR FEVER

The Fenugreek herb has been known to help reduce fever when taken with lemon and honey, since it nourishes the body during an illness. Therefore, to treat a fever, simply consume one to two teaspoons of Fenugreek seeds three times a day along with an herbal tea (such as green tea) with a teaspoon of honeyand lemon juice. Some health food stores also sell herbal Fenugreek teas, which can be used instead of the green tea.

BREAST ENLARGEMENT

Fenugreek is often used in many teas and other products that help balance women's hormones and/or enlarge the breasts. Therefore, a simple home remedy for breast enlargement is to make Fenugreek a part of your regular diet. A common suggestion is to consume up to 3g of Fenugreek seed per day.

REMEDY TO EASE CHILD BIRTH FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Fenugreek stimulates uterine contractions and can be helpful to induce childbirth. However, pregnant women should only use this remedy for inducing labor after consulting with their doctor.

REMEDY TO AID MILK PRODUCTION IN LACTATING WOMEN

Fenugreek has been known to increase milk production in lactating women. Research has even shown that milk production can increase by over 500 percent within 24 to 72 hours after consuming this herb. Although it is not known why this happens, researchers speculate that the oil contained in fenugreek seeds plays a role. Therefore, a recommended remedy to increase milk flow is to consume one capsule of fenugreek seed (at least 500mg) three times a day.

What are the Side Effects of Fenugreek?

While Fenugreek is generally considered to be safe when used moderately, there have been reports of a few minor side-effects. Nausea is one common side effect, while other people have reported gastrointestinal discomfort (diarrhea and/or gas). Also, when using this herb topically on the skin, it is important to watch out for skin irritations and rashes.

Fenugreek use during pregnancy is not recommended, since it has the potential to induce labor. If you are pregnant and wish to take it, you should do so only after consultation with your doctor.

If you are currently taking any oral medications, you should always use this herb at least 2 hours before or after these drugs. This is important since Fenugreek fiber has the potential to interfere with the absorption of oral medications due to its mucilaginous fiber (which gives it a moist and sticky texture).

Where and How to Buy Fenugreek

Fenugreek is often available in capsules, seed, and powder form at many health food stores. The seeds can also often be found at Indian/Pakistani grocery stores. You may also be able to find packaged Fenugreek herbal tea bags.

Ways that I consume fenugreek seeds:

I soak half a teaspoon of the seeds in a little warm water overnight.In the morning the water will be slightly yellow to the color and you can drink it on empty stomach an hour before anything else.

Also you can add a little of seeds into your black tea and have so.

You can dry roast them in a frying pan,taking care not to burn it, and then powder it up.Add a little of it over yoghurt or anything else or eat it just like that in the morning.

I hope this piece of information has been helpful .