15 Amazing Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek is an herb that’s been used for centuries, even as far back as the ancient Egyptians. The plant, known scientifically as Trigonella foenum-graecum, has leaves and seeds that are used as traditional alternative medicine treatments and are key ingredients in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking.

As an alternative medicine, people use fenugreek seeds as a dietary supplement for conditions ranging from menstrual cramps to diabetes.

# Enhances Milk Production in New Mothers

Fenugreek is often used to encourage lactating in new mothers. Breastfeeding women can take a fenugreek pill or drink a fenugreek tea to enhance their flow of milk. The supplement should only be taken after the baby is born though.

One study found that mothers who drank a cup of fenugreek tea every day produced more milk than those who drank either a placebo tea of no tea at all. You should always check with your doctor before you start using fenugreek to enhance your lactation as it can sometimes have significant effects on pre-existing conditions. If you are able to use fenugreek try taking two or three capsules of the herb, three times a day. You could also try drinking two cups of fenugreek tea each day.

# Maintains Blood Sugar Levels

Fenugreek seeds are often used as a supplement to control blood glucose levels and so are often given to people suffering from diabetes. This is because the herb can alleviate metabolism issues and help your body absorb glucose from the blood more effectively. Studies have found that just 2 grams of powdered fenugreek could significantly lower the blood glucose levels in men suffering from diabetes. The herb helps to reduce insulin resistance, meaning the body is more able to use glucose and sugars for energy, leaving lesser amounts lingering in your bloodstream.

The most common methods of using fenugreek for this purpose are drinking fenugreek tea or taking an oral fenugreek supplement once a day. As always, you should discuss taking fenugreek with your doctor, in case it is likely to interfere with any medication you may already be taking.

# Boosts Libido

For centuries, fenugreek has been used to increase sexual desire and improve libidos. Modern studies have found that the herb can help to increase sexual desire in both men and women, improving sex drive, urges, and desire. In fact, the evidence suggests that fenugreek could increase libido by 28%. A daily dose of 500mg of the herb should be enough for you to see an improvement.

# Soothes Skin Inflammation or Injury

Fenugreek powder can be combined with other soothing herbs to make poultices which treat skin inflammation and injury. Recent studies have suggested that fenugreek has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties making it a great remedy for damaged skin.

To use fenugreek to soothe damaged skin you can grind dried fenugreek or boil some fresh fenugreek leaves in some water and make a paste. For added impact, you could add flaxseed or slippery elm. Spread your paste over the damaged area of skin and cover with medical gauze, linen or cotton. Leave this on for 24 hours before removing it and rinsing your skin with fresh, warm water.

# Boosts Testosterone Levels in Men

Men often use fenugreek to boost their testosterone levels. One study found that taking 500mg of fenugreek each day increased the levels of testosterone production when combined with four weight training sessions a week. When taken daily over a six-week period the herb can also help to boost sexual function and libido as a result of higher testosterone production.

# Appetite Control

There have been a number of studies which have shown that a daily fenugreek supplement or fenugreek tea can help to decrease your appetite and fat intake. This should help you to lose weight if you are struggling to do so through other diets. In fact, one study found that taking a supplement every day for two weeks reduced total fat intake by seventeen percent.

# Lower Cholesterol Levels

There is some evidence to suggest that fenugreek can also help to manage the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. This will help improve your overall health and could even improve your life expectancy by lowering your risk of a number of fatal conditions.

# Reduce Heartburn

Studies have suggested that consuming fenugreek either as a tea or as a supplement could help to decrease the regularity of heartburn and reduce symptoms. In fact, some have found that it’s just as effective as popular antacid medications.

# Reduced Risk of Alzheimer’s

Fenugreek is thought to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s as it can reduce the activity of enzymes which break down certain neurotransmitters in the brain. It also helped to reduce the production of proteins that would otherwise build up and form plaques in the nervous system. As a result, fenugreek can improve overall brain function, cognitive skills, and memory, helping to protect you and reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. In addition, fenugreek seeds can also help to reduce damage from oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which would otherwise increase your risk of Alzheimer’s.

# Improved Heart Health

Heart attacks can cause damage to, or even kill, tissues in the heart. It can also cause oxidative stress within the heart, all of which can be severe for your heart’s health and could even be fatal. Consuming fenugreek can help to improve antioxidant activity in the heart and therefore protects the tissues from oxidative damage. Combined with the herbs ability to manage blood sugar and cholesterol levels, fenugreek is a powerful protector of heart health, reducing the risk of a number of potentially damaging conditions.

# May Help Prevent Obesity

Animal studies have found that daily consumption of fenugreek can decrease weight gain. It’s therefore thought that it could help to tackle obesity, helping to improve your weight and overall health.

# Improved Skin Health

Fenugreek contains a gooey substance called mucilage which helps to soothe and moisturize dry skin. It also helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots and smooths the skin by reducing the number of bumps. Studies have found that fenugreek is able to reduce the effect of the sun on your skin too, which helps to protect it from burning, drying out and aging prematurely. In addition, fenugreek is a potent antioxidant and is packed full of vitamin A. These can help to promote new skin growth as well as protecting existing skin cells from damage.

# Stops Cancer Cell Growth

The saponins contained within fenugreek help to prevent cell division in cancer cells and can even cause them to die. Studies have so far shown that fenugreek seeds are effective against colon, breast, prostate and bone cancer as well as leukemia, however, it’s effectiveness against other forms of the disease are yet to be proven.

Damage by free radicals is also thought to be an increased cancer risk as it damages cells’ DNA and causes them to mutate. Because fenugreek has antioxidant properties it can protect your cells from this damage and further reduce your risk of developing cancer.

# Has Antioxidant Properties

Fenugreek seed extract can help to reduce the concentration of free radicals, increase antioxidant activity, and reduce damage to enzymes. This helps to protect the cells and tissues in your body from various forms of damage and decreases your risk of countless conditions and diseases. It can help to boost your immune system and ease the pain.

# Has Anti-inflammatory Properties

One of the health benefits of fenugreek is that it has anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce both internal and external inflammation. This makes it ideal for treating skin allergies and conditions like arthritis. It works by blocking the production of a range of interleukins and prevents the transformation of cells into helper T cells, thus reducing your inflammatory responses.