Fenugreek is the seed of Methi, a annual herbaceous plant of leguminous[podded] plant, that is used in curry spice and medicines. It was a plant indigenous to western Asia, but is now cultivated worldwide. In oriental medicine, it is known as Hu Lu Ba, is a tonic used to treat cold limbs and pain due to kidney yang deficiency, with warm and bitter in property.

Fenugreek is favorite of Indians, and can be easily found in Indian markets around America. Even today, many Indians apply kneaded ground fenugreek on their heads for health, and use it as spices in many recipes, including curry.

Since ancient times to 19th century, fenugreek was a major part of medicinal herbal treatment but with development of new drugs seemed to fall back in popularity. Yet, recently, with many new researches and clinical studies show that fenugreek is effective in lowering cholesterol.

Before fenugreek became popular medicinal herb, it was traditionally used to treat animals. According to literatures, ancient Greeks used fenugreek to promote appetites of sick animals to promote healing. Fenugreek was mixed with the feed, hence in Egypt and Roman empire, fenugreek was also known as "Greek hay". Even today fenugreek is used to add flavor to animal feeds, and many veterinarians use it to treat sick horses and cattle.

Ancient physicians discovered that fenugreek contains many stringy-like substances, which were mixed together with water to treat inflammations. Egyptian physicians used fenugreek ointments to treat wounds and abscess, internally to treat breathing difficulties, and various intestinal disorders.

Moreover, ancient Chinese physicians used fenugreek to treat hernia, muscular pain, and impotence, and in materia medica is recorded that ''fenugreek warms lower abdomen and kidney, hence it should be used by people with cold body''.

India's Ayurvedic physicians use fenugreek for arthritis, bronchitis, uneasiness in stomach and intestines, and many Indian women use it to promote lactation.

Today's herbalists use fenugreek in ointment forms to treat wounds and abscess, rash, and other various skin disorders, and fenugreek gargle to relieve sore throat, treat cough, bronchitis, and many other disorders.

Lately, its uses has been used for vast range of disorders, used to remove phlegm accumulation, toxin removal via lymph nodes, and according one study, inhibit bacterial growth and multiplication.

Indication:

1. Lowers cholesterol

Fenugreek contains Lecithin which lowers cholesterol, and lipotropic which breakdown lipids. Hence, it can be used for disorders related to weight loss and cholesterol.

2. Relieve sore throat

Fenugreek's stringy water relieves sore throat and cough

3. Very effective for women''s health

Fenugreek contains Diosgenin, which is very similar to female hormone Estrogen, hence it can be used for various disorders associated with estrogen secretions.

4. Treatment of arthritis

A Belgian study has found that fenugreek has anti-inflammatory property, which provides a valid evidence that it can be used to treat inflammation and arthritis.

5. It can lower blood sugar

Fenugreek, along with its treatment properties, is rich in vitamin A, D and also minerals, protein, Vitamin B, B2, and B3. Hence, its is an herb of nutritious and medicinal value.

Preparation:

Fresh seed, or lightly fried seed can be used, patient with weak kidneys should soak the seed in salt water and fry it before use.

1. Boil 6 teaspoonful of finely crushed seed in 3-4 cups of water for 10 minutes in low heat. Drink 3 times daily.

Lemon, honey, anise or peppermint can be added to ease fenugreek's characteristic taste and fragrance.

2. Drink 1/4-1/2 teaspoonful of tincture three times daily

3. Prohibited for children under 2 years old, and for elderly patients over 65 years old, start with low dosage and than increase dosage as needed

Caution:

1. Not for pregnancy for it stimulates uterus

2. Not for night sweats, afternoon fever or heat in extremities (yin deficiency)