Boost your body with fenugreek

Fenugreeks are slightly bitter with a nutty flavor. But the benefits of fenugreek are so sweet. 

Fenugreek is native of West Asia and South-Eastern Europe. Fenugreek is considered as a great ingredient in food and medicine. Since fenugreek is from the Greek region the British named it “Fenugreek”. At the initial stage, fenugreek was given as a food for cattle. Soon, the fenugreek moved into other countries and was later started to use in food and medicine. Over 6000 years ago, fenugreek was cultivated in Iraq.

Some interesting facts on fenugreek:

• Fenugreek also called methi, vendhayam, menthiyam, etc.
• Soaking a handful of fenugreek in water and consuming it in the early morning in an empty stomach gives reduces to stomach ache, body heat, leucorrhea or white discharge, etc.
• To gain body weight, add fenugreek with yam (karunai kizhangu).   
• Consuming fenugreek balances cholesterol.
• For liver diseases and problems, add fenugreek, Asafoetida, black turmeric and mustard in a pan, fry these ingredients with ghee and powder it. Mix the powder in boiled rice and eat.
• Make a curry with fenugreek, asafoetida and toor dal in a mud pot and eat. This will reduce the body heat.
• Consuming fenugreek is good for lactating mothers.
• Preparing porridge with fenugreek, ghee, wheat flour, and palm jaggery and consuming is good for lactating mothers.
• Fenugreek helps in reducing the symptoms of menopause.
• Fenugreek rectifies the sugar tolerance of the body and reduces the blood sugar level.
• In Rajasthan for festival occasions, laddu is prepared with fenugreek and almonds. This is given for lactating mothers.
• Several kinds of research are done in fenugreek for reducing diabetics. On consuming fenugreek, it helps in reducing the blood sugar level after eating; also the “HbA1c” sugar level test which shows the average level of blood sugar over 2 to 3 months is controlled.
• A study done by “Journal of Medicinal Food” states that fenugreek helps in producing insulin and reduces type 2 diabetics.
• Fenugreek lowers the risk of a heart ailment.
• Highly caution: Fenugreek is not advised to take during pregnancy.