Trigonella foenum-graecum - L.

<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

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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.

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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