Trigonella foenum-graecum - L.
Trigonella foenum-graecum - L.
Trigonella foenum-graecum - L.
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<strong>Trigonella</strong> <strong>foenum</strong>-<strong>graecum</strong> - L.<br />
Common Name<br />
Family<br />
Known Hazards<br />
Habitats<br />
Range<br />
Fenugreek<br />
Fabaceae or Leguminosae<br />
The seed contains 1% saponins[240].<br />
Although poisonous, saponins are<br />
poorly absorbed by the human body<br />
and so most pass through without<br />
harm. Saponins are quite bitter and<br />
can be found in many common foods<br />
such as some beans. They can be<br />
removed by carefully leaching the<br />
seed or flour in running water.<br />
Thorough cooking, and perhaps<br />
changing the cooking water once, will<br />
also remove most of them. However,<br />
it is not advisable to eat large<br />
quantities of food that contain<br />
saponins. Saponins are much more<br />
toxic to some creatures, such as fish,<br />
and hunting tribes have traditionally<br />
put large quantities of them in<br />
streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy<br />
or kill the fish[K]<br />
Field verges, uncultivated ground, dry<br />
grasslands and hillsides[200].<br />
Europe - S. France.<br />
Edibility Rating<br />
Medicinal Rating<br />
very useful plants<br />
great value.A very subjective<br />
evaluation<br />
Care<br />
Summary<br />
Physical Characteristics<br />
ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate.<br />
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from Jun to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers<br />
are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.It can fix Nitrogen.<br />
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic<br />
(alkaline) soils..It cannot grow in the shade.It requires dry or moist soil.<br />
Habitats<br />
Cultivated Beds;<br />
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Coffee; Condiment; Leaves; Seed; Seedpod; Tea.<br />
Seed - cooked or sprouted and eaten raw[2, 4, 21, 34]. It has quite a strong spicy flavour, not unlike lovage or<br />
celery[4, 183]. When ground into a powder, the seed is a principal ingredient of curries and mango chutney[244],<br />
it is also used in pickles and spice mixes, as a flavouring in bread etc[4, 183, 238]. The seed is usually lightly<br />
roasted before use in order to reduce the bitterness[238]. The seed is about 3mm long, about 10 - 20 seeds<br />
being produced in each pod[4]. A good source of many essential elements such as iron, phosphorus and<br />
sulphur[244], the seed contains about 6% moisture, 23% protein, 10% carbohydrate, 8% fat, 10% fibre and 4.3%<br />
ash[61]. The ground seeds are used to give a maple syrup flavour to foods[183]. The seed can be soaked for 12<br />
hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for 3 - 5 days[244]. These sprouted seeds have a spicy flavour<br />
and can be added to salads or cooked[238, K]. An essential oil obtained from the seed is used as a food<br />
flavouring in imitation maple syrup, vanilla compositions, liquorice, pickles etc[183]. It also has medicinal<br />
virtues[57]. The ground up seeds can also be used as a substitute for maple syrup[4]. Leaves - raw or cooked[2,<br />
4, 7, 34]. Very aromatic, in small quantities they can be added to salads, otherwise they are used as a potherb, a<br />
flavouring for root vegetables, an ingredient of curries etc[183, 238]. Seedpods - cooked[105]. The roasted seed<br />
is a coffee substitute[2, 177, 183]. A soothing tea is made from the leaves and the seed[21, 183].<br />
Composition<br />
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food<br />
Seed (Fresh weight)<br />
0 Calories per 100g<br />
Water : 6.2%<br />
Protein: 23.2g; Fat: 8g; Carbohydrate: 10g; Fibre: 9.8g; Ash: 4.3g;<br />
Minerals - Calcium: 0mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 0mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;<br />
Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;<br />
Reference: [ 218]<br />
Notes:<br />
Medicinal Uses<br />
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek<br />
advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.<br />
Anticholesterolemic; Antiinflammatory; Antiphlogistic; Antitumor; Cardiotonic; Carminative; Demulce<br />
nt; DeobstruentDiuretic; Emollient; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Galactogogue; Hypoglycaemic; Hypoten<br />
sive; Laxative; Parasiticide; Restorative.<br />
Fenugreek is much used in herbal medicine, especially in North Africa, the Middle East and India. It has a wide<br />
range of medicinal applications[254]. The seeds are very nourishing and are given to convalescents and to<br />
encourage weight gain, especially in anorexia nervosa[254]. The seeds should not be prescribed medicinally for<br />
pregnant women since they can induce uterine contractions[238, 254]. Research has shown that the seeds can<br />
inhibit cancer of the liver, lower blood cholesterol levels and also have an antidiabetic effect[254]. The seed and<br />
leaves are anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, carminative, demulcent, deobstruent, emollient,<br />
expectorant, febrifuge, galactogogue, hypoglycaemic, laxative, parasiticide, restorative and uterine tonic[4, 7, 21,<br />
147, 165, 176, 238]. The seed yields a strong mucilage and is therefore useful in the treatment of inflammation<br />
and ulcers of the stomach and intestines[4, 254]. Taken internally, a decoction of the ground seeds serves to<br />
drain off the sweat ducts[7]. The seed is very nourishing and body-building and is one of the most efficacious<br />
tonics in cases of physical debility caused by anaemia or by infectious diseases, especially where a nervous<br />
factor is involved[7, 244]. It is also used in the treatment of late-onset diabetes, poor digestion (especially in<br />
convalescence), insufficient lactation, painful menstruation, labour pains etc[238, 244]. The seeds freshen bad<br />
breath and restore a dulled sense of taste[254]. Externally, the seeds can be ground into a powder and used as a<br />
poultice for abscesses, boils, ulcers, burns etc, or they can be used as a douche for excessive vaginal<br />
discharge[4, 244, 254]. The leaves are harvested in the growing season and can be used fresh or dried[238].<br />
The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried for later use[238]. Compounds extracted from the plant have<br />
shown cardiotonic, hypoglycaemic, diuretic, antiphlogistic and hypotensive activity[218]. One of its constituent<br />
alkaloids, called 'trigonelline', has shown potential for use in cancer therapy. The seed contains the saponin<br />
diosgenin, an important substance in the synthesis of oral contraceptives and sex hormones[244], whilst<br />
saponins in the plant have been extracted for use in various other pharmaceutical products[238].<br />
Other Uses<br />
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<br />
strong aroma of hay[4]. The crushed seed, mixed with oil and massaged into the scalp, is recommended for<br />
glossy hair[244]. An infusion of the seed, used as a skin lotion, is said to be good for the complexion[244]. A<br />
good green manure crop, it is fast growing and vigorous[200], producing a lot of bulk and fixing a large quantity of<br />
atmospheric nitrogen[87]. A yellow dye is obtained from the seed[61].<br />
Cultivation details<br />
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1], preferring a well-drained loamy soil in full sun[200]. Requires a warm,<br />
sheltered position in Britain[244]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[238]. Fenugreek is widely cultivated for its<br />
edible seed in warm temperate and tropical regions, there are some named varieties[183]. Seed production is<br />
more problematic in Britain due to the cooler and moister summers. The seed is ripened intermittently over a<br />
period of some weeks making harvesting more complicated[87]. Plants take about 16 weeks to mature in warmer<br />
climes, probably about 4 weeks longer in Britain[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil<br />
bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized<br />
by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. When removing plant<br />
remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots<br />
in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.<br />
Propagation<br />
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in situ