Benefits of fenugreek, dosage, side effects, and how to use?

What is Methi(Fenugreek)?

Methika also known as Methi(Fenugreek) is herb which is used as Ayurvedic medicine also as spice as well. Acharya Bhavmishra added it as one of the ingredient of Chaturbija.

What is Morphology of Fenugreek?

Latin name– Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fam. Papilionaceae)

Fenugreek is annual herb bearing yellow flowers. It has small, oval-shaped leaves and brownish-yellow seeds that have a distinct flavor and aroma. Methi leaves and seeds are both used in cooking and have various health benefits.It is cultivated in several parts of India.

Type of Fenugreek

Some Nighantu consider two varieties of methi(Fenugreek)

1. Gramya Methi
2. Vanya Methi

Synonyms of Methi (Fenugreek)

Bahupatra, Bahubija, Vallari, Chandrika, Dipani, Gandhabija, Jatiphalagandha, Pittabija

Other/Regional Language Names

• English: Fenugreek
• Gujarati: Methi
• Hindi: Methi
• Kannada: Mentiya
• Kashmiri: Methi
• Malayalam: Uluva
• Marathi: Methi
• Punjabi: Metha
• Tamil: Ventayam
• Telugu: Mentulu
• Urdu:Methi
• Assamese:Methi
• Bengali:Meth

Constituents of Fenugrek

• Steroidal saponins-diosgenin, and gitogenin, tigogenin
• Fenugreek seed is a rich source of vitamins; fenugreek vitamins -choline, vitamin A, B1, B2, C, nicotinic acid and niacin.
• Fenugreek is particularly rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium.
• Fresh fenugreek leaves contain about 86% water, 6% carbohydrates, 4% protein, and about 1% each of fiber and fat.

Rasa Panchak of Methi

• Rasa: Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
• Guna: Laghu (Light to digest), Snigdha (Unctuous)
• Virya: Usna (Hot potency)
• Vipaka: Katu
• Karma: Vatahara, Kaphahara, Raktaprakopaka (Vitiates blood)

References of Methika in Ayurvedic texts

मेथिका चन्द्रशूरश्च कालाऽजाजी यवानिका |
एतच्चतुष्टयं युक्तं चतुर्बीजमिति स्मृतम् ||८८||
तच्चूर्णं भक्षितं नित्यं निहन्ति पवनामयम् |
अजीर्णं शूलमाध्मानं पार्श्वशूलं कटिव्यथाम् ||८९||
भावप्रकाश-पूर्वखण्ड-मिश्रप्रकरण – २. हरीतक्यादिवर्ग (88,89)

मेथिका दीपनी चोग्रा कुञ्जिका बहुपत्रिका |
मेथिका कटुरुष्णा च रक्तपित्तप्रकोपनी |
अरोचहरा दीप्तिकरी वातप्रणाशिनी ||१०५||
धन्वन्तरिनिघण्टु – ६. सुवर्णादिवर्ग

मेथिका मेथिनी मेथी दीपनी बहुपत्रिका |
बोधिनी बहुबीजा च जातिर्गन्धफला तथा ||८३||
वल्लरी चन्द्रिका मन्था मिश्रपुष्पा च कैरवी |
कुञ्चिका बहुपर्णी च पित्तजिद्वायुनुद्द्विधा ||८४||
मेथिका वातशमनी श्लेष्मघ्नी ज्वरनाशिनी |
ततः स्वल्पगुणा बल्या वाजिनां सा तु पूजिता ||८५||
भावप्रकाश-पूर्वखण्ड-मिश्रप्रकरण – २. हरीतक्यादिवर्ग (83-85)

पथ्या सरा त्रिदोषघ्नी मेथिका वातनाशिनी |
ईषत्तिक्तं त्रिदोषघ्नं शाकं कटु सतीनकम् ||९||
स्वादुपाकरसं शाकं दुर्जरं हरिमन्थजम् |
माधवद्रव्यगुण – २२. शाकवर्ग-shlok 9

मेथिका मेथिनी मेथी दीपनी बहुपत्रिका |
वेधनी गन्धबीजा च ज्योतिर्गन्धफला तथा ||६७||
वल्लरी चन्द्रिका मेथा मिश्रपुष्पा च कैरवी |
कुञ्चिका बहुपर्णी च पीतबीजा मुनीन्दुधा ||६८||
मेथिका कटुरुष्णा च रक्तपित्तप्रकोपणी |
अरोचकहरा दीप्तिकरा वातघ्नदीपनी ||६९||
राजनिघण्टु – ६. पिप्पल्यादिवर्ग

What are Benefits of Methi (Fenugreek)?

• Arochakahara
• Balya (Increases strength)
• Jwarhara (Fever)
• Adhman (Abdominal bloating)
• Pramehanashaka (Type 2 Diabetes mallitus)
• Vatakantaka– Methi contains calcium and having Ushna property, so it helps in diminishing excess Vata.

What is use of Fenugreek in texts?

• Leaf of methinks is boiled in water after adding little ghee and applied as poultice over the abscess. (D.G.P.V.)
• Warm methika powder when applied in the site of pain, inflammation, abscess
• Application on the head prevents hair falling and promotes on the hair growth.
• Methi is used while making Dal, Shak, khichadi etc which helps in digestion and keep away diseases.
• Methi taken specially in the winter as a preparation of Laddu. It contains calcium so helps in maintain Bone health.

How much is Dose of Fenugreek as described in ancient texts?

Powder- 3-6 gm

What are the Useful Part of Fenugreek

• Seeds
  
  Seed paste improves local blood circulation, relieves pain and inflammation in wounds, abcess, boils and swellings.
  fenugreek seeds for hair -Sprouted seeds made into paste can be applied with aloe gel on the scalp to promote hair growth and remove dadruff.
• Leaf
  Leaves are used for their cooling properties both internally and externally.
• Whole plant

What are the side effects of Fenugreek?

• It is not required to add additional Fenugreek at night or morning daily, if it is used in Dal, Shak, Khichadi. Fenugreek is Hot in nature so it is not beneficial for everyone to take alone at night or in morning.
• Side effects are of taking the drug in high doses, under the guidance of qualified vaidya, or in appropriate doses it is safe to consume.

List of formulations of Methika

Chaturbija/चतुर्बीज
Methi is one of the ingredients of Chaturbija.
Ingredients of Chaturbija are Methi, Chandashoora, Kalajiji, Yavanika.
Chaturbija Churna indicated in Ajirna (Indigestion), Shoola (pain in abdomen), Ahman (Abdominal distension), Parshwashoola (Pain in both side of abdomen), Katishoola ( Pain in Back)

Methi Laddu

Ingredients

• Ghee
• Methi seeds
• Guda (jaggery)
• Tila (Sesame seed)
• Badam (Almonds)
• Kaju (Cashews)
• Nariyel china (Dry grated coconut)
• Gond/ Guggulu (gum resin)
• Elachi green cardamom powder
• Sunth
• Pippal (pepper powder)
• Kali mirch

Recipe

Heat ¼ cup ghee in a non-stick pan. Add the soaked fenugreek seeds mixture and sauté(fry) on low heat for 2-3 minutes. Transfer on a large plate and allow to cool completely.
Heat ⅛ cup ghee in the same pan. Add almonds and cashews roast till golden. Transfer on to another plate. Set aside to cool completely.
Dry roast the dried coconut till golden brown in the same pan. Transfer into the fenugreek set aside to cool completely.
Dry roast Tila (Sesame) for 1-2 min and transfer into the fenugreek mixture.
Put the fried almonds into a mixer jar and grind to a coarse powder. Transfer on to the same plate. Add Gond (Gum resin powder), Elachi (green cardamom powder), Kali mirch (white pepper powder), Sunth (dried ginger powder), and Pippal (long pepper powder) and mix well.
Heat jaggery and ¼ cup water in a pan till the jaggery melts. Immediately pour this into the mixture along with the ground almonds and mix well. Form into ladoos while the mixture is still warm since it’s easiest to shape then.
Indication of Methi Laddu
This laddu is rich in vitamins and Vitiates excess Vata and Kapha Dosha. So, it increase strength and takes away from disease. Mainly intake in season of winter.
It is also vary useful in post- partum mothers.

Research of Fenugreek

• Chronic administration of seed extract enhanced food consumption and motivation to eat in rats and also induced hyperinsulinemia and hypocholesterolemia (Pharmacol. Biochem. Behan. 1993, 45, 369)
• Seeds extract exhibited mild-implantation activity (about 30%) in rates when administered orally in single dose (25 gm/kg) from day 1 to 10 of pregnancy (Arogya 1983,9,91)