Health Benefits of Fenugreek
| Photo courtesy of wikipedia |
Fenugreek is an annual plant in the family ‘Fabaceae’. It is
cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop, and its seeds are a common ingredient
in dishes but it can also be used as an herb or vegetable. It is the main
ingredient of curry powders and widely used in Indian curry dishes.
Fenugreek grows to about two feet (60cm), with yellow/white
flowers and long yellow seed pods. It likes a full sun and well-drained,
neutral to slightly acid soil and it doesn't like to be transplanted. Fenugreek
must be watered thoroughly.
Actually the age of this plant determines how it should be
used. The plant grows fast and can be harvested for its leaves at various
times. Young fenugreek seedlings (1-2 weeks of growth) are edible as
micro-greens while older plants (3-6 weeks of growth) can be consumed as a
leafy vegetable.
Unlike many other herbs that thrive on neglect, Fenugreek
does well in fertile soils and a lot of compost but does not require fertilizer
at and plant should be five to six inches apart.
Fenugreek is allergic to pesticides and that is why for you
to succeed in this farming you have to go organic. Also the strong scent keeps
off white flies making it pest free.
Though this plant is not popular in most of the part in the
world like it does in Indian families, its health benefits are worth a mention.
This plant is often used to treat coughs and sore throat and is effective in
treatment of Type 2 diabetes and can lower blood cholesterol levels and
increase circulation. It is also often recommended as an herbal treatment for
tinnitus.
Other health benefits you probably didn't know include;
- Fenugreek has fiber, iron, potassium and vitamin C.
- It can be used to improve breast milk production in nursing mothers.
- It is also rich in many vital vitamins that are essential nutrients for optimum health, including thiamin, pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin A, and vitamin-C.
- If used regularly, fenugreek may help control cholesterol, triglyceride as well as high blood sugar (glycemic) levels in diabetics.
