Fenugreek, popularly known as methi, has excellent medicinal virtues. Seeds exercise soothing effect on the mucous membranes and skin. They show diuretic action, relieve flatulence, and promote lactation in nursing mothers. Due to the astringent action, they check the bleeding tendency in the body. Like the alkaloids of Cod-liver oil, the alkaloids of fenugreek seeds stimulate the appetite by their action on the nervous system.
Recent research on fenugreek seeds observes that they have exciting possibilities because of their steroidal saponins, which closely resemble the sex hormones. This is no wonder, since for ages, fenugreek seeds have been used as remedy for impotence in men and to tone up the breast tissues in women. Methi seeds can be taken for the benefit at the time of both puberty and menopause.
MEDICINAL USES
• Diabetes: Fenugreek seeds are proved to be extremely beneficial in early detected diabetes. The usual dose is two teaspoons of powdered seeds taken daily with buttermilk. Alternatively, seeds may be soaked in a cup of water and swallowed in the morning along with the infusion. However, the most effective way to eat fenugreek seeds is to sprout them a little, then dry the sprouts, powder them and include in the diet daily.
• Painful body parts and swollen glands: The powdered seeds can be made into an effective poultice because of their draining and healing properties. This may be used in furuncle, gouty pains, neuralgia, sciatica, sores, tumors and wounds.
• Cosmetic problems: As a beauty aid, fenugreek is effective for pimples, wrinkles black heads and dull complexion. As a paste, it is used as an exfoliating scrub gently rubbed and applied on the desired areas. It should be mixed with curd or honey and washed away with warm water after fifteen minutes. Fenugreek seeds make the hair silky and lustrous. They preserve the natural color of the hair and eliminate dandruff. Two tablespoonfuls of the seeds are soaked overnight in water. In the morning, the softened seeds are ground into fine paste, applied on the scalp and left on for half an hour. The hair is then washed thoroughly with soapnut (ritha) or shikakai.
• Sore throat and mouth ulcers: An infusion of the leaves or seeds, gargled five to six times daily for a couple of days is effective. For the gargle, the solution should be much stronger than the tea. One tablespoonful of methi seeds is put in half a liter of water and allowed to simmer for twenty minutes over a low flame. It is cooled to lukewarm temperature and strained. This liquid is used as a gargle.
• White discharge: Fenugreek decoction used as a douche is very effective in treating leucorrhoea.
• Diarrhea and dysentery: A mixture of methi (after frying in ghee) and Indian sweet fennel is useful to check diarrhea and dysentery. The seeds are generally roasted, powdered, and given in infusion or weak decoction, which is a healthy drink useful in dysentery. This medicinal recipe is to be taken with buttermilk.
• Anemia: The seeds and leaves being rich in iron help in blood formation. Two teaspoonful fenugreek seeds or a reasonable amount of leaves cooked with rice, eaten with little salt regularly for a fortnight shows marked difference.
• Bad breath and body odor: A decoction of fenugreek is useful to stop bad breath. A little honey or lemon juice can be added to improve the flavor.
PLEASE NOTE:
Since fenugreek seeds are heat-generating, they should be used more during winter and monsoon than in the summer months. The seeds are contraindicated for persons with high pitta or a tendency to bleed. Pregnant women are advised to avoid fenugreek in their diet as it may cause vaginal bleeding.
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