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Trigonella foenum-graecum - L.

Common Name Fenugreek, Sicklefruit fenugreek
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards The seed contains 1% saponins[240]. 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]. Care for diabetics on antidiabetic allopathic as may lower blood sugar. Can affect drug absorption as high fibre content. Constituents can alter the effects of monoamine oxide inhibitors [301].
Habitats Field verges, uncultivated ground, dry grasslands and hillsides[200].
Range Europe - S. France.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (5 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Trigonella foenum-graecum Fenugreek, Sicklefruit fenugreek


Trigonella foenum-graecum Fenugreek, Sicklefruit fenugreek
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Nataraja

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Trigonella foenum-graecum is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Foenum-graecum officinale var. tibetanum. Trigonella tibetana.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Seedpod
Edible Uses: Coffee  Condiment  Tea

Seed - cooked or sprouted and eaten raw[2, 4, 21, 34]. It has quite a strong spicy flavour, not unlike lovage or celery[4, 183]. When ground into a powder, the seed is a principal ingredient of curries and mango chutney[244], it is also used in pickles and spice mixes, as a flavouring in bread etc[4, 183, 238]. The seed is usually lightly roasted before use in order to reduce the bitterness[238]. The seed is about 3mm long, about 10 - 20 seeds being produced in each pod[4]. A good source of many essential elements such as iron, phosphorus and sulphur[244], the seed contains about 6% moisture, 23% protein, 10% carbohydrate, 8% fat, 10% fibre and 4.3% ash[61]. The ground seeds are used to give a maple syrup flavour to foods[183]. The seed can be soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for 3 - 5 days[244]. 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[183]. It also has medicinal virtues[57]. The ground up seeds can also be used as a substitute for maple syrup[4]. Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 4, 7, 34]. 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[183, 238]. Seedpods - cooked[105]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[2, 177, 183]. A soothing tea is made from the leaves and the seed[21, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Seed (Fresh weight)
  • 0 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 6.2%
  • Protein: 23.2g; Fat: 8g; Carbohydrate: 10g; Fibre: 9.8g; Ash: 4.3g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 0mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 0mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;
  • Reference: [ 218]
  • Notes:

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anticholesterolemic  Antiinflammatory  Antiphlogistic  Antitumor  Appetizer  Cardiotonic  Carminative  Demulcent  
Deobstruent  Diuretic  Emollient  Expectorant  Febrifuge  Galactogogue  Hypoglycaemic  
Hypotensive  Laxative  Parasiticide  Restorative

Fenugreek is much used in herbal medicine, especially in North Africa, the Middle East and India. It has a wide range of medicinal applications[254]. The seeds are very nourishing and are given to convalescents and to encourage weight gain, especially in anorexia nervosa[254]. The seeds should not be prescribed medicinally for pregnant women since they can induce uterine contractions[238, 254]. Research has shown that the seeds can inhibit cancer of the liver, lower blood cholesterol levels and also have an antidiabetic effect[254]. The seed and leaves are anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, carminative, demulcent, deobstruent, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, galactogogue, hypoglycaemic, laxative, parasiticide, restorative and uterine tonic[4, 7, 21, 147, 165, 176, 238]. The seed yields a strong mucilage and is therefore useful in the treatment of inflammation and ulcers of the stomach and intestines[4, 254]. Taken internally, a decoction of the ground seeds serves to drain off the sweat ducts[7]. 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[7, 244]. It is also used in the treatment of late-onset diabetes, poor digestion (especially in convalescence), insufficient lactation, painful menstruation, labour pains etc[238, 244]. The seeds freshen bad breath and restore a dulled sense of taste[254]. 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[4, 244, 254]. The leaves are harvested in the growing season and can be used fresh or dried[238]. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried for later use[238]. Compounds extracted from the plant have shown cardiotonic, hypoglycaemic, diuretic, antiphlogistic and hypotensive activity[218]. 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[244], whilst saponins in the plant have been extracted for use in various other pharmaceutical products[238]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Trigonella foenum-graecum for loss of appetite, inflammation of the skin (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Cosmetic  Dye  Essential  Green manure  Hair  Parasiticide

An essential oil is obtained from the seed - used as a food flavouring and medicinally. The dried plant has a strong aroma of hay[4]. The crushed seed, mixed with oil and massaged into the scalp, is recommended for glossy hair[244]. An infusion of the seed, used as a skin lotion, is said to be good for the complexion[244]. A good green manure crop, it is fast growing and vigorous[200], producing a lot of bulk and fixing a large quantity of atmospheric nitrogen[87]. A yellow dye is obtained from the seed[61].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1], preferring a well-drained loamy soil in full sun[200]. Requires a warm, sheltered position in Britain[244]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[238]. Fenugreek is widely cultivated for its edible seed in warm temperate and tropical regions, there are some named varieties[183]. 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[87]. Plants take about 16 weeks to mature in warmer climes, probably about 4 weeks longer in Britain[200]. 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[200]. 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   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

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

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Trigonella caeruleaSweet Trefoil, Blue fenugreekAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNM10 
Trigonella corniculatacultivated fenugreekAnnual0.6 -  LMHNDM11 
Trigonella suavissimaSweet FenugreekAnnual0.3 -  LMHNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

gorav seth   Fri Sep 12 17:35:31 2003

the leaves of fenugreek, known in hindi as methi (pronounce may-thee), can be incorporated into indian flatbreads and rotis.

kanchan   Sat Jul 24 06:30:23 2004

Link: trigonella foenumgraecum used for cosmetic

preei   Thu Jul 6 2006

trigonella is also known as helba

AZI   Thu Aug 30 2007

IHAD CONSTIPATION PROBLEM DUE TO MENOPAUSAL SYNTHOM, BUT AFTER TAKING 1TEASPOON OF FERNUGREEK DAILY, I NO LONGER HAVE CONTSIPATION PROBLEM.

Mrs.Cheryl Wyatt   Sun Feb 15 2009

Greener GREEN ACRES Organic Farm Produce AND Wild Fruits, Plants and Mushrooms for sale (in season)

Steven Ripple   Sat Feb 21 2009

Why are you mentioning hardieness - It's an annual, and a hardy one at that. It's like peas.

Thiruvelan   Sun Jan 10 2010

Fenugreek diabetes Fenugreek diabetes is believed to control both glucose & cholesterol levels in blood. Additionally it nourishes digestive system, liver and promotes respiratory health.

   Dec 5 2015 12:00AM

I have been cultivating fenugreek in my kitchen garden, from store bought spice seeds. My zone is USDA 7 and they are growing in almost full (but high) shade, with no signs yet of frost sensitivity (December, NY). Lovely plant, and great that it is also nitrogen-fixing.

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