Yellow Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual plant in the family Fabaceae, with leaves consisting of three small obovate to oblong leaflets. It is cultivated worldwide as a semiarid crop, and its seeds are a common ingredient in dishes from the Indian subcontinent.

In botany, fenugreek is a small annual leguminous herb belonging in the fabaceae family.
Genus: Trigonella. Scientific name: Trigonella foenum-graecum.
Some of the common names of herb fenugreek include greek-hay, mehti, bird’s foot, clover, etc

Fenugreek is used as an herb (dried or fresh leaves), spice (seeds), and vegetable (fresh leaves, sprouts, and micro-greens). Sotolon is the chemical responsible for fenugreek’s distinctive sweet smell.

Cuboid-shaped, yellow- to amber-colored “fenugreek seeds” are frequently encountered in the cuisines of the Indian Subcontinent, used both whole and powdered in the preparation of pickles, vegetable dishes, daals, and spice mixes. They are often roasted to reduce bitterness and enhance flavor.

Fenugreek is usually grown during October and February in the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The major importers of Indian fenugreek are Saudi Arabia, Japan, Malaysia, USA, The UK, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Methi or fenugreek seeds and leaves form an important ingredient in Indian households. It is used in almost every Indian preparation be it dal, paratha or curry. But what you might not know is that methi or fenugreek is a rich reservoir of medicinal properties that imparts many health benefits.

Uses/Benifits of Fenugreek

– Fenugreek is used for digestive problems such as loss of appetite, upset stomach, constipation, and inflammation of the stomach (gastritis).

– It is also used for conditions that affect heart health such as “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis) and for high blood levels of certain fats including cholesterol and triglycerides.

– Fenugreek is used for kidney ailments, a vitamin deficiency disease called beriberi, mouth ulcers, boils, bronchitis, infection of the tissues beneath the surface of the skin (cellulitis), tuberculosis, chronic coughs, chapped lips, baldness, cancer, and lowering blood sugar in people with diabetes.

– Fenugreek is sometimes used as a poultice. That means it is wrapped in cloth, warmed and applied directly to the skin to treat local pain and swelling (inflammation), muscle pain, pain and swelling of lymph nodes (lymphadenitis), pain in the toes (gout), wounds, leg ulcers, and eczema.

– The taste and odor of fenugreek resembles maple syrup, and it has been used to mask the taste of medicines.