Scientific Name: Fenugreek
Other Names: Alhova, Bird's Foot, Greek Clover, Greek Hay, Hu Lu Ba, Methi, Trigonella, Trigonella foenum-graecum

Who is this for?

Uses

Fenugreek seeds contain a high percentage of mucilage ¯ a natural gummy substance present in the coatings of many seeds. Although it does not dissolve in water, mucilage forms a thick, gooey mass when exposed to fluids. Like other mucilage-containing substances, fenugreek seeds swell up and become slick when they are exposed to fluids. The resulting soft mass is not absorbed by the body, but instead passes through the intestines and also triggers intestinal muscle contractions. Both actions promote the emptying of intestinal contents. Therefore, fenugreek is a mild but effective laxative.

In addition, fenugreek seeds contain chemicals that slow down the time that food takes to go through the intestinal tract. As one result, sugars are absorbed from foods more slowly and blood sugar levels may not rise as high or fluctuate as much as usual. Fenugreek may further affect blood sugar levels by decreasing the activity of an enzyme that is involved in releasing stored sugar from the liver into the blood. Also, fenugreek contains an amino acid called 4-hydroxyisoleucine, which appears to increase the body's production of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. For many individuals, higher insulin production decreases the amounts of sugar that stay in the blood In some studies of animals and humans with both diabetes and high cholesterol levels, fenugreek lowered cholesterol levels as well as blood sugar levels. However, no blood-sugar lowering effect was seen in non-diabetic animals. Similarly, individuals with normal cholesterol levels showed no significant reductions in cholesterol while taking fenugreek.

Some evidence suggests that fenugreek may also have other medical uses. It may reduce the amounts of calcium oxalate in the kidneys. Calcium oxalate often contributes to kidney stones. In animal studies, fenugreek also appeared to lessen the chance of developing colon cancer by blocking the action of certain enzymes. It may have some ability to protect the liver against damage from alcohol and other chemicals, but much further research is needed to prove or disprove all these possible uses of fenugreek.

Topically, the gelatinous texture of fenugreek seed may have some benefit for soothing skin that is irritated by eczema or other conditions. It has also been applied as a warm poultice to relieve muscle aches and gout pain.

Pregnant women should not take fenugreek by mouth. In animal studies, fenugreek has caused contractions of uterine tissue. Such contractions could result in a miscarriage if they happen during pregnancy. In addition, fenugreek passes into the blood of developing babies and the breast milk of new mothers who take it. As a result, the newborn infant may have a maple-sugar like smell, especially in the urine. A similar smell is present when the baby has a rare but serious metabolic disorder called Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD). The disease may be diagnosed incorrectly, if the smell caused by fenugreek is mistaken for MSUD.

Precautions

Individuals who have allergies to peanuts or soybeans may also be allergic to fenugreek. They should avoid taking the oral forms of fenugreek, applying it topically, and touching any part of the growing or dried plant.

Repeatedly applying topical fenugreek to the same areas may cause itching, redness, rash, or other reactions.

What side effects should I watch for?

Major Side Effects

It is possible that taking large amounts of fenugreek for very long periods of time could result in hypoglycemia (blood sugar that is too low). Signs that blood sugar may be too low include shakiness, sweating, confusion, distorted speech, and loss of muscle control. If not corrected, low blood sugar can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

Less Severe Side Effects

Due to its effects on the gastrointestinal tract, most side effects reported from using fenugreek orally are gastrointestinal in nature. They include diarrhea and gas.

Allergic reactions to topically applied fenugreek have been reported. Fenugreek is a member of the same family of plants as peas, peanuts, and soybeans. Individuals sensitive to one of those related plants may also be sensitive to fenugreek. Some evidence suggests that frequent applications of fenugreek to the same area of skin can eventually be irritating.

Taking fenugreek by mouth may make the urine smell somewhat like maple syrup. A relatively rare metabolic disorder also causes a similar smell in the urine of affected individuals. Cases of misdiagnosis have been reported in medical literature when fenugreek taken by very young children or new mothers gave the baby’s urine a maple sugar-like smell.

What interactions should I watch for?

Prescription Drugs

Fenugreek contains small amounts of coumarins, chemicals that are used in drugs to increase the time blood needs to clot. When very large amounts of fenugreek are taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, the effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.

• Antiplatelets include clopidogrel and Ticlid.
• Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin.

Because it may have a lowering effect on blood sugar, fenugreek may increase the effectiveness of medications used for the treatment of diabetes. If you are taking medications for diabetes, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using fenugreek.

When mixed with water or other fluids, fenugreek forms a sticky, slippery gel. In theory, taking fenugreek by mouth could block the absorption of other drugs that are taken at the same time. If you take fenugreek, do not take other drugs within 2 hours.

Non-prescription Drugs

Large amounts of fenugreek taken by mouth possibly may affect the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin can also delay clotting, so fenugreek should not be taken orally at the same time as aspirin.

Herbal Products

Theoretically, if fenugreek is used with other herbs that affect blood clotting, bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting are:

• Danshen
• Devil's Claw
• Eleuthero
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginkgo
• Horse Chestnut
• Panax Ginseng
• Papain
• Red Clover
• Saw Palmetto

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how fenugreek interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Fenugreek is native to the Mediterranean areas of Europe and to India, where its leaves are sometimes cooked as a vegetable. Fenugreek leaves are also used for animal feed. An annual that grows to about 2 feet in height, fenugreek produces small white flowers in late summer. After the flowers die, large pods that contain 10 to 20 irregularly shaped yellow seeds develop. Fresh seeds are used as flavoring or occasionally, they may be sprouted and eaten as a salad green. Dried fenugreek seeds are often ground for a curry spice; but they may also be boiled to produce a yellow dye, roasted as a coffee substitute, or used to flavor drinks, foods and tobacco. After the seeds are collected, the plants -- which collect nitrogen -- are chopped and used as fertilizer in some parts of the world.

The seeds are also used in medicine. If they are taken orally, their somewhat bitter taste may be lessened by toasting them. To be applied topically, the seeds are ground into a powder, which is then soaked in hot water to form a thick gel.

Dosage and Administration

No more than 6,000 mg (6 grams) of fenugreek should be taken by mouth per day.

Commercially, fenugreek is available as whole or ground seed and also as capsules, bulk powder, and a liquid tincture. Common dosing recommendations for fenugreek suggest taking 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg (one gram to 2 grams) three times a day. It is usually taken with food because it has a bitter taste.

Fenugreek tea is prepared by soaking 500 mg of the seed in about 5 ounces of cold water for at least 3 hours. The seeds are then strained out of the liquid before drinking the tea, which can be heated or ingested cold.

For topical use, a poultice is made by mixing 50,000 mg (50 grams) of powdered fenugreek seed with up to about one quart of hot water and letting the mixture stand until it makes a thick gel. A soft cloth is then covered with the gel and applied to an aching or injured area of skin surface.

Summary

In addition to food uses as a flavoring, oral fenugreek seed is also used as an effective laxative. Also thought to lower both blood sugar and cholesterol levels, fenugreek may also help to prevent kidney stones and colon cancer.

Fenugreek can be applied topically to relieve irritated skin and muscle aches.

Risks

Because it may cause the uterus to contract, possibly resulting in a miscarriage, fenugreek should be avoided by women who are pregnant. Individuals who are allergic to similar plants, such as peanuts, should also avoid fenugreek. Fenugreek is not recommended for women who are breast-feeding.

Side Effects

Most side effects reported with fenugreek are relatively minor ones such as gas or diarrhea. For babies, fenugreek taken by their mothers can mimic the symptoms of a very serious disease known as Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD). If it is taken in large amounts or for long periods, however, it may make blood sugar levels too low.

Interactions

Potentially, fenugreek could increase the effectiveness of drugs and herbs that lower blood sugar or decrease blood clotting. On the other hand, it may block the effectiveness of other drugs that are taken by mouth. Fenugreek should be taken at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after other drugs are taken.

Last Revised April 17, 2006

References

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Annida B, Stanely Mainzen Prince P. Supplementation of fenugreek leaves reduces oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Journal of Medical Food. 2005;8(3):382-385.

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Bartley GB, Hilty MD, Andreson BD, Clairmont AC, Maschke SP. "Maple-syrup" urine odor due to fenugreek ingestion. New England Journal of Medicine. 1981;305(8):467.

Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) on blood lipids, blood sugar and platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 1997;56(5):379-384.

Broca C, Manteghetti M, Gross R, et al. 4-Hydroxyisoleucine: effects of synthetic and natural analogues on insulin secretion. European Journal of Pharmacology. 2000;390(3):339-345.

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Devi BA, Kamalakkannan N, Prince PS. Supplementation of fenugreek leaves to diabetic rats. Effect on carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in diabetic liver and kidney. Phytotherapy Research. 2003;17(10):1231-1233.

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Hannan JM, Rokeya B, Faruque O, et al. Effect of soluble dietary fibre fraction of Trigonella foenum graecum on glycemic, insulinemic, lipidemic and platelet aggregation status of Type 2 diabetic model rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2003;88(1):73-77.

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Last Revised April 17, 2006

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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