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Trigonella foenum-graecum
| Common name: |
Fenugreek |
Family: |
Leguminosae |
| Author: |
L. |
Botanical references: |
50, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
|
| Known Hazards: |
The seed contains 1% saponins[240]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K]. |
| Range: |
Europe - S. France. |
| Habitat: |
Field verges, uncultivated ground, dry grasslands and hillsides[200]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
3 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 5 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| T. foenumgraecum[E]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Alholva [E], Bird's Foot [H], Boyotu [E], Chinagreye [E], Fenegriek [D], Fenugreek [H,E], Foenum Graecum [E], Greek Hay-seed [H], Halva [E], Helba [E], Hu Lu Pa [E], K'U Tou [E], Kelabat [E], Koroha [E], Methi [H], Shimli [E], Sickle-fruit Fenugreek [B], Sicklefruit Fenugreek [P], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
graecum = of Greece;
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA
Plants Database |
|
Order: Fabales. Renamed to Fabaceae -- Pea family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
Austria; Belgium; Chile; China; Egypt; Hungary; India; India(Santal); Iraq; Java; Malaya; Mediterranean; Spain; Sudan; Turkey
|
Physical Characteristics
Annual growing to 0.6m by 0.4m at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
We rate it 3/5 for edibility and
5/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It cannot grow in the shade.
It requires dry or moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Cultivated Beds.
Cultivar 'Kasuri': Cultivated Beds.
Edible Uses
Coffee; Condiment; Leaves; Seed; Seedpod; Tea.
Seed - cooked or sprouted and eaten raw[2, 4, 21, 34]. It has quite a
strong spicy flavour, not unlike lovage or celery[4, 183]. When ground into a
powder, the seed is a principal ingredient of curries and mango chutney[244],
it is also used in pickles and spice mixes, as a flavouring in bread etc[4,
183, 238]. The seed is usually lightly roasted before use in order to reduce
the bitterness[238]. The seed is about 3mm long, about 10 - 20 seeds being
produced in each pod[4]. A good source of many essential elements such as
iron, phosphorus and sulphur[244], the seed contains about 6% moisture, 23%
protein, 10% carbohydrate, 8% fat, 10% fibre and 4.3% ash[61]. The ground
seeds are used to give a maple syrup flavour to foods[183]. The seed can be
soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for 3 - 5
days[244]. These sprouted seeds have a spicy flavour and can be added to
salads or cooked[238, K].
An essential oil obtained from the seed is used as a food flavouring in
imitation maple syrup, vanilla compositions, liquorice, pickles etc[183]. It
also has medicinal virtues[57]. The ground up seeds can also be used as a
substitute for maple syrup[4].
Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 4, 7, 34]. Very aromatic, in small quantities they
can be added to salads, otherwise they are used as a potherb, a flavouring
for root vegetables, an ingredient of curries etc[183, 238].
Seedpods - cooked[105].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[2, 177, 183].
A soothing tea is made from the leaves and the seed[21, 183]. Composition
- Seed (Fresh weight)
-
In grammes per 100g weight of food:
Water: 6.2
Protein: 23.2
Fat: 8
Carbohydrate: 10
Fibre: 9.8
Ash: 4.3
Source: [218]
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Anticholesterolemic; Antiinflammatory; Antiphlogistic; Antitumor; Cardiotonic; Carminative; Demulcent; Deobstruent; Diuretic; Emollient; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Galactogogue; Hypoglycaemic; Hypotensive; Laxative; Parasiticide; Restorative.
Fenugreek is much used in herbal medicine, especially in North Africa,
the Middle East and India. It has a wide range of medicinal
applications[254]. The seeds are very nourishing and are given to
convalescents and to encourage weight gain, especially in anorexia
nervosa[254]. The seeds should not be prescribed medicinally for pregnant
women since they can induce uterine contractions[238, 254]. Research has
shown that the seeds can inhibit cancer of the liver, lower blood cholesterol
levels and also have an antidiabetic effect[254].
The seed and leaves are anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor,
carminative, demulcent, deobstruent, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge,
galactogogue, hypoglycaemic, laxative, parasiticide, restorative and uterine
tonic[4, 7, 21, 147, 165, 176, 238]. The seed yields a strong mucilage and is
therefore useful in the treatment of inflammation and ulcers of the stomach
and intestines[4, 254]. Taken internally, a decoction of the ground seeds
serves to drain off the sweat ducts[7]. The seed is very nourishing and
body-building and is one of the most efficacious tonics in cases of physical
debility caused by anaemia or by infectious diseases, especially where a
nervous factor is involved[7, 244]. It is also used in the treatment of
late-onset diabetes, poor digestion (especially in convalescence),
insufficient lactation, painful menstruation, labour pains etc[238, 244]. The
seeds freshen bad breath and restore a dulled sense of taste[254].
Externally, the seeds can be ground into a powder and used as a poultice for
abscesses, boils, ulcers, burns etc, or they can be used as a douche for
excessive vaginal discharge[4, 244, 254].
The leaves are harvested in the growing season and can be used fresh or
dried[238]. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried for later
use[238].
Compounds extracted from the plant have shown cardiotonic, hypoglycaemic,
diuretic, antiphlogistic and hypotensive activity[218]. One of its
constituent alkaloids, called 'trigonelline', has shown potential for use in
cancer therapy. The seed contains the saponin diosgenin, an important
substance in the synthesis of oral contraceptives and sex hormones[244],
whilst saponins in the plant have been extracted for use in various other
pharmaceutical products[238]. We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.
Other Uses
Cosmetic; Dye; Essential; Green manure; Hair.
An essential oil is obtained from the seed - used as a food flavouring
and medicinally. The dried plant has a strong aroma of hay[4].
The crushed seed, mixed with oil and massaged into the scalp, is recommended
for glossy hair[244]. An infusion of the seed, used as a skin lotion, is said
to be good for the complexion[244].
A good green manure crop, it is fast growing and vigorous[200], producing a
lot of bulk and fixing a large quantity of atmospheric nitrogen[87].
A yellow dye is obtained from the seed[61].
Cultivation details
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1], preferring a well-drained loamy
soil in full sun[200]. Requires a warm, sheltered position in Britain[244].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[238].
Fenugreek is widely cultivated for its edible seed in warm temperate and
tropical regions, there are some named varieties[183]. Seed production is
more problematic in Britain due to the cooler and moister summers. The seed
is ripened intermittently over a period of some weeks making harvesting more
complicated[87]. Plants take about 16 weeks to mature in warmer climes,
probably about 4 weeks longer in Britain[200].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these
bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this
nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other
plants growing nearby[200]. When removing plant remains at the end of the
growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant,
leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
Propagation
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in
situ.
Scent
-
Seed:
- No details on scent.
Cultivars
- 'Kasuri' 'Kasuri Methi'
- An excellent soft-core cultivar that is used as a pot-herb[183]. Several cuttings can be taken from each plant[183].
A slower-growing plant than the species, remaining in a rosette condition during most of its vegetative growth period[183].
It is grown as an autumn-sown crop in the cooler north-east of India[183].
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
Web References
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [V] Images
from the Vascular Plant Image Gallery of the Texas A&M Bioinformatics Working Group.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [PHARM] Phytochemical Data
(common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [FAO] Data
(Description, Habitat, Location and Use) from the FAO's Grassland Index.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
References for Trigonella foenumgraecum (a possible synonym).
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
[34] Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975
Good drawings of some of the more common food plants from around the world. Not much information though.
[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
[57] Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
Fairly readable but not very comprehensive. Deals with plants from around the world.
[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
[87] Woodward. L. Burge. P. Green Manures. Elm Farm Research Centre. 1982
Green manure crops for temperate areas. Quite a lot of information on a number of species.
[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.
[165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
An excellent small herbal.
[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
A very good Chinese herbal.
[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
[244] Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
Readers Comments
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Bibliography
Plant information taken from the
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Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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