Many people also grind them up to add as flavoring to their favorite dishes. And sometimes, they are sprouted in water overnight to add to salads. Fenugreek has a slightly bitter flavor that is similar to maple syrup, so it is often used as a healthy replacement for maple products when they aren't available.
Benefits of Fenugreek
Fenugreek supplements that are sold contain either the extract of the plant or the ground up seeds. It is also available in a tincture. And sometimes, fenugreek is made into a poultice. That is because it can be used both internally and externally.
Fenugreek has unique seeds with a large amount of gelatinous mucilage that coat and soothe whatever they come in contact with. The mucilage is what makes the seeds so beneficial to the health. It is very comforting as it covers any delicate, inflamed tissue of the body.
This herb works well for stomach ailments, such as ulcers, gastritis, and food poisoning. And the intestines are aided by it too. Some people with Crone's disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find it especially helpful. Fenugreek also reduces high fevers that are difficult to control, and it aids in diseases of the upper respiratory system, such as …show more content…
It increases uterine contractions. So those who are struggling with delayed menstruation because of stress or other health issues can get their period. Sometimes, pregnant women who are past their due date for delivery of their baby take it to encourage contractions. Once the baby is born, fenugreek is also helpful for increasing a woman's milk supply if it is starting to dry up. And since the herb mimics estrogen, it can also be taken to increase low levels of the hormone that naturally fade as a woman ages.
The estrogenic effects of fenugreek shouldn't discourage men from taking it though. It can be safely used by them on a short-term basis. In fact, men over the age of 40-years-old often find it especially helpful for increasing their sex drive and treating impotence.
One of the most interesting new discoveries about this herb is its ability to decrease high cholesterol and blood glucose levels. This has been very exciting news since the pharmaceutical drugs currently used to treat these conditions cause serious side effects that are worse than the conditions themselves. So far the research has only been done on animals though. However, human studies should follow