Practical
Plants

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Fenugreek

an annual member of the Trigonella genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed contains 1% saponins[13]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - cooked or sprouted and eaten raw[8][17][10][16]. It has quite a strong spicy flavour, not unlike lovage or celery[17][7]. When ground into a powder, the seed is a principal ingredient of curries and mango chutney[14], it is also used in pickles and spice mixes, as a flavouring in bread etc[17][7][12]. The seed is usually lightly roasted before use in order to reduce the bitterness[12]. The seed is about 3mm long, about 10 - 20 seeds being produced in each pod[17]. A good source of many essential elements such as iron, phosphorus and sulphur[14], the seed contains about 6% moisture, 23% protein, 10% carbohydrate, 8% fat, 10% fibre and 4.3% ash[19]. The ground seeds are used to give a maple syrup flavour to foods[7]. The seed can be soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for 3 - 5 days[14]. These sprouted seeds have a spicy flavour and can be added to salads or cooked[238, K]. An essential oil obtained from the seed is used as a food flavouring in imitation maple syrup, vanilla compositions, liquorice, pickles etc[7]. It also has medicinal virtues[18]. The ground up seeds can also be used as a substitute for maple syrup[17]. Leaves - raw or cooked[8][17][20][16]. Very aromatic, in small quantities they can be added to salads, otherwise they are used as a potherb, a flavouring for root vegetables, an ingredient of curries etc[7][12]. Seedpods - cooked[2]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[8][6][7]. A soothing tea is made from the leaves and the seed[10][7].

Product or use
Coffee
Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Seedpod

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fenugreek is much used in herbal medicine, especially in North Africa, the Middle East and India. It has a wide range of medicinal applications[15]. The seeds are very nourishing and are given to convalescents and to encourage weight gain, especially in anorexia nervosa[15]. The seeds should not be prescribed medicinally for pregnant women since they can induce uterine contractions[12][15]. Research has shown that the seeds can inhibit cancer of the liver, lower blood cholesterol levels and also have an antidiabetic effect[15]. The seed and leaves are anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, carminative, demulcent, deobstruent, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, galactogogue, hypoglycaemic, laxative, parasiticide, restorative and uterine tonic[17][20][10][3][4][5][12]. The seed yields a strong mucilage and is therefore useful in the treatment of inflammation and ulcers of the stomach and intestines[17][15]. Taken internally, a decoction of the ground seeds serves to drain off the sweat ducts[20]. The seed is very nourishing and body-building and is one of the most efficacious tonics in cases of physical debility caused by anaemia or by infectious diseases, especially where a nervous factor is involved[20][14]. It is also used in the treatment of late-onset diabetes, poor digestion (especially in convalescence), insufficient lactation, painful menstruation, labour pains etc[12][14]. The seeds freshen bad breath and restore a dulled sense of taste[15]. Externally, the seeds can be ground into a powder and used as a poultice for abscesses, boils, ulcers, burns etc, or they can be used as a douche for excessive vaginal discharge[17][14][15]. The leaves are harvested in the growing season and can be used fresh or dried[12]. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried for later use[12]. Compounds extracted from the plant have shown cardiotonic, hypoglycaemic, diuretic, antiphlogistic and hypotensive activity[11]. One of its constituent alkaloids, called 'trigonelline', has shown potential for use in cancer therapy. The seed contains the saponin diosgenin, an important substance in the synthesis of oral contraceptives and sex hormones[14], whilst saponins in the plant have been extracted for use in various other pharmaceutical products[12].

Product or use
Anticholesterolemic
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Antitumor
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Deobstruent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Parasiticide
Product or use
Restorative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil is obtained from the seed - used as a food flavouring and medicinally. The dried plant has a strong aroma of hay[17]. The crushed seed, mixed with oil and massaged into the scalp, is recommended for glossy hair[14]. An infusion of the seed, used as a skin lotion, is said to be good for the complexion[14]. A good green manure crop, it is fast growing and vigorous[9], producing a lot of bulk and fixing a large quantity of atmospheric nitrogen[21]. A yellow dye is obtained from the seed[19].

Product or use
Cosmetic
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Hair care

Environment

Range
Europe - S. France.
Habitat
Field verges, uncultivated ground, dry grasslands and hillsides[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in situ.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1], preferring a well-drained loamy soil in full sun[9]. Requires a warm, sheltered position in Britain[14]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[12]. Fenugreek is widely cultivated for its edible seed in warm temperate and tropical regions, there are some named varieties[7]. Seed production is more problematic in Britain due to the cooler and moister summers. The seed is ripened intermittently over a period of some weeks making harvesting more complicated[21]. Plants take about 16 weeks to mature in warmer climes, probably about 4 weeks longer in Britain[9]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[9]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  5. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  10. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  13. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  14. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  15. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  16. Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  18. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

  19. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  20. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  21. Woodward. L. Burge. P. Green Manures. Elm Farm Research Centre. 1982-00-00

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page