Common Name: Fenugreek

General Information

Trigonella foenum-graecum is an erect, sometimes ascending, loosely-branched annual plant growing 40 - 80cm tall[].
A fairly common food, condiment and medicinal plant, it is widely cultivated for its edible seed in warm temperate to tropical regions, there are some named varieties[].

Known Hazards

The seed contains 1% saponins[]. 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[].

Botanical References

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Range

Southern Europe to W. Asia - through the Caucasus to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

Habitat

Field verges, uncultivated ground, dry grasslands and hillsides[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.60 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Fenugreek was originally from temperate Asia and Europe, but is now cultivated in many warm temperate to tropical areas of the world. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 13 - 27°c, but can tolerate 5 - 32°c[]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 800mm, but tolerates 380 - 1,550mm[].
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[], preferring a well-drained loamy soil in full sun[]. Prefers a pH in the range 7 - 7.5, tolerating 5.3 - 8.2[].
Plants take about 16 weeks to mature their seed in warmer climes, probably about 4 weeks longer in temperate areas[].
The seed is ripened intermittently over a period of some weeks making harvesting more complicated[].
The expected yield of seed is 0.5 - 3.8 t/ha[].
In India, yields of green forage are about 9 - 10 t/ha[].
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[]. 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.

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked or sprouted and eaten raw[, , , ]. It has quite a strong spicy flavour, not unlike lovage or celery[, ]. When ground into a powder, the seed is a principal ingredient of curries and mango chutney[], it is also used in pickles and spice mixes, as a flavouring in bread etc[, , ]. The seed is usually lightly roasted before use in order to reduce the bitterness[]. The seed is about 3mm long, about 10 - 20 seeds being produced in each pod[]. A good source of many essential elements such as iron, phosphorus and sulphur[], the seed contains about 6% moisture, 23% protein, 10% carbohydrate, 8% fat, 10% fibre and 4.3% ash[]. The ground seeds are used to give a maple syrup flavour to foods[]. The seed can be soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for 3 - 5 days[]. These sprouted seeds have a spicy flavour and can be added to salads or cooked[, ].

An essential oil obtained from the seed is used as a food flavouring in imitation maple syrup, vanilla compositions, liquorice, pickles etc[]. It also has medicinal virtues[]. The ground up seeds can also be used as a substitute for maple syrup[].

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , ]. 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[, ].

Seedpods - cooked[].

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[, , ].

A soothing tea is made from the leaves and the seed[, ].

Medicinal

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

Agroforestry Uses:

A good green manure crop, it is fast growing and vigorous[], producing a lot of bulk and fixing a large quantity of atmospheric nitrogen[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the seed - used as a food flavouring and medicinally. The oil has potential for use in cosmetics and perfumery[]. The dried plant has a strong aroma of hay[].

The crushed seed, mixed with oil and massaged into the scalp, is recommended for glossy hair[]. An infusion of the seed, used as a skin lotion, is said to be good for the complexion[].

A yellow dye is obtained from the seed[].

Propagation

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

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