FENUGREEK (Trigonella foenum-graecum L)

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.