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Herbs > Ayurvedic Herbs and their Healing Power > Fenugreek
By Dr. Satish Kulkarni
The colloquial name for fenugreek in India is methi
and its botanical name is trigonella foenum
graecum. Fenugreek is an annual herb with dark
green color compound leaves and b odor. Seeds
are brownish in color and have typical odor. They are
in long seed vessels i.e. pods. Leaves and seeds are
edible part of the plant which have food as well as
medicinal value.
Including fenugreek in diet is a normal
practice in India and neighboring countries. Ayurved
recommends shat-rasatmak ahar (food including
6 types of juices). These are madhur (sweet), amla
(sour), lavana (salty), tikta (bitter),
katu (pungent) and kashay (astringent).
If we will deliberately include all the 6 juices our
diet, then the diet will be a really balanced diet
which ultimately will give us long life and good
health. Fenugreek contains tikta rasa (bitter
juice) which helps in cleaning accumulated ama
(toxins in body) thus helping in maintenance of our
health.
It is said that tikta rasa food
substances like fenugreek help in reducing med-dhatu
(fatty tissue) which in turn helps in reducing
weight. The leaves of fenugreek in cooked form help
in indigestion and relieve flatulence. In post fever
convalescence and in dyspepsia (hampered digestion by
any reason) they help in restoring digestive system.
To some extent they help in improving functions of
liver and this is the reason a soup of fenugreek with
few other edible herbs is given in conditions like kamala
( a type of Jaundice).
The herb is rich in vitamins and
minerals. Leaves and seeds contain calcium,
phosphorus, few vitamins from B-complex group in
addition to vitamin C. It is also rich source of
iron. Both leaves and seeds should be included in
normal diet of family, especially diet of growing
kids, pregnant ladies, puberty reaching girls and
elder members of family because they have haematinic
(i.e. blood formation) value.
One ayurvedic school says, substances
which have tikta rasa (bitter juice) have
diaphoretic properties. A decoction or a herbal tea
prepared out of fenugreek and few other substances is
used as a diaphoretic mixture in few Indian tribes.
Fenugreek has mild laxative property which also helps
cleaning ama (toxins) chocked in body systems
thus helping restoration from illness. A poultice
prepared from fenugreek and few other substances
helps soothing irritation of skin and in addition
reduce swelling of the part. Soutikshastra
(ayurvedic gynecology and midwifery) has recommended
use of fenugreek in promoting lactation in breast
feeding mothers.
One ayurvedic sanhita (mega book)
says fenugreek helps in improving digestive tract
functions and should be regularly used as a cleansing
agent. It further says, fenugreek helps in cleaning ama
(toxins) and clogged mucous in respiratory and
digestive systems. According to this book, fenugreek
is also useful in healing of different ulcers in
digestive tract. In chronic problems like ulcerative
colitis etc. fenugreek is claimed to give protective
coating to digestive tract thus helping in giving
relief.
Another school of ayurved has claimed
the results in diabetes mellitus. One teaspoonful of
fenugreek seeds are soaked in water for whole night
and this water should be taken empty stomach in the
morning is a suggestion.
We normally eat food which contains
madhur (sweet), amla (sour) and lavana
(salty) rasa only. This makes diet deficient.
Substances like fenugreek help us in adding 4th
rasa i.e. tikta. They also help us in
re-activating all the 6 senses which our tongue has.
In short fenugreek has cleansing
properties. It helps in balancing our diet because
its bitter juice is equally important constituent of
diet. It also helps for reduction of weight. A
decoction or an herbal tea prepared out of fenugreek
and other substances is a proven diaphoretic mixture.
Fenugreek increases iron levels in pregnancy and
improves lactation after delivery. Leaves are rich
source of vitamins and minerals.
For further information on Ayurveda and/or questions
please Visit India Herbs For Genuine Ayurvedic Medicines and
Nutritional Supplements or contact Dr. Satish Kulkarni |
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