• Basic Info

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Alternate Title

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Synonyms

Abish, alholva, bird's foot, bockhornsklover, bockshornklee, bockshornsamen, cemen, chilbe, fenegriek, fenogreco, fenogrego, fenigreko, fenugree, fenugreek seed, fenu-thyme, foenugraeci semen, gorogszena, graine de fenugrec, gray hay, Greek hay seed, griechische Heusamen, fieno greco, halba, hilbeh, hulba, hu lu ba, kasoori methi, kozieradka pospolita, kreeka lambalaats, mente, mentikura, mentula, methi, methika, methini, methri, methro, mithiguti, pazhitnik grecheskiy, penantazi, sag methi, sambala, sarviapila, shabaliidag, shambelile, trigonella, trigonelline, trogonella semen, uluhaal, uwatu, vendayam, venthiam.

Background

Fenugreek has a long history of medical uses in Indian and Chinese medicine, and has been used for numerous indications, including labor induction, aiding digestion, and as a general tonic to improve metabolism and health.

Preliminary study has suggested possible hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) and anti-hyperlipidemic properties of oral fenugreek seed powder. However, at this time, the evidence is not sufficient to recommend either for or against fenugreek for diabetes or hyperlipidemia. Nonetheless, caution is warranted in patients taking hypoglycemic agents, in whom blood glucose levels should be monitored. Hypokalemia (lowered potassium levels in the blood) has also been reported, and potassium levels should be followed in patients taking concomitant hypokalemic agents, or with underlying cardiac disease.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Diabetes mellitus type 1: Review of the literature suggests a possible efficacy of fenugreek in type 1 diabetics. Although promising, these data cannot be considered definitive. At this time there is insufficient evidence to recommend either for or against the use of fenugreek for type 2 diabetes.
Grade: C

Diabetes mellitus type 2: Fenugreek has been found to lower serum glucose levels both acutely and chronically. Although promising, these data cannot be considered definitive, and at this time there is insufficient evidence to recommend either for or against fenugreek for type 2 diabetes. Additional study is warranted in this area.
Grade: C

Hyperlipidemia: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of fenugreek as a hyperlipidemic agent.
Grade: C

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):

Products rich in fenugreek fiber may interfere with the absorption of oral medications due to its mucilaginous fiber content and high viscosity in the gut. Medications should be taken separately from such products. However, it should be noted that fenugreek is rarely used for its fiber content.

There is no proven effective dose of fenugreek in adults. For type 1 diabetes, 100 grams of debitterized powdered fenugreek seeds divided in two equal doses has been used. For type 2 diabetes, 2.5 grams of fenugreek seed powder in capsule form, twice daily for three months, or 25 grams seed powder, divided in two equal doses has been used. For hyperlipidemia, 2.5 grams of fenugreek seed powder in capsule form, twice daily for three months, or 100 grams debitterized powdered seeds divided in two equal doses has been used.

Children (younger than 18 years):

There is no proven effective dose of fenugreek in children.