Fenugreek - Informative & researched article on Fenugreek
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Home > Society > Indian Food > Indian Spices > Types of spices > Seed Type Spices > Fenugreek
Fenugreek
Fenugreek, an Indian spice, is also known for its usages in medical science. In India, Fenugreek is one of the main odorous constituents of curry powder.
  •Benefits of Fenugreek      

Fenugreek PlantFenugreek belongs to Leguminosae family. The botanical name of Fenugreek is `Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn`. There are several other names of fenugreek in different languages of India. Like for instance, it is called Menthya in Kannada language, Vendayam, and Venthiyam in Tamil language, Menthulu and Mentulu in Telugu language and Ventayan and Uluva in Malayalam language. This plant is known as Methi in Hindi language, Bengali language, Gujarati language, Marathi language, Oriya language, Punjabi language, Sanskrit language, and Urdu language.

Description of Fenugreek
Fenugreek is grown as a green leafy vegetable and for its seeds in different parts of the country. In India, it is used both as herb as well as a spice. Fenugreek is said to have several medicinal values. This plant is cultivated as a semi-arid crop. In India, fenugreek is more popular as a spice. Fenugreek basically has light green leaves that are 30 to 60 cm tall. This plant also has slender beaked pods around 10 to 15 cm long. India is considered to be one of the major producers and exporters of Fenugreek seeds. Fenugreek holds a significant position in terms of production among all other spices that are grown in this country. Fenugreek is mainly exported to Saudi Arabia, Japan, Malaysia the USA, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Properties of Fenugreek
History says that the name Fenugreek or `foenum-graecum` is derived from Latin for `Greek hay`. Basically from foreign origin, Fenugreek seeds have been recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamen. Since then it is grown extensively in the Indian states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab. It is a cold season crop and is fairly tolerant to frost and very low temperature. Fenugreek can also be grown on black cotton soils. Fenugreek seeds are rich in protein, mineral matters, starch, sugars, mucilage, volatile oil, fixed oil, vitamins, enzymes and essential amino acids. Since long, it has been used for several purposes like as a food additive and as a medicine. Fenugreeks are customary for cultural and religious reasons. Moreover, Fenugreek extract is considered as an important component for maple syrup.

According to ancient beliefs, fenugreek increases digestive process in human bodies. Its seeds are used in curing several diseases like colic flatulence, dysentery, dyspepsia with loss of appetite, diarrhea, chronic cough, dropsy, enlargement of liver and spleen, rickets, gout, diabetes, etc. Even today, fenugreek is used in hair tonic preparations and as a cosmetic. Apart from culinary use Fenugreek is used as medicine since the ancient ages in India. There are various traditional uses of Fenugreek. Fenugreek has abundant usage related to cookery and medicinal properties. Not only in India Fenugreek is used in many other countries as basic and most important ingredient in culinary uses as well as preparing medicines. This plant is also used in Herbal therapies and treatments in many parts of India as well as in abroad.

(Last Updated on : 31/05/2010)
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