Botanical Name: Trigonella foenum Common name: Methi, Fenugreek, Greek-clov Read More
Botanical
Name: |
Trigonella foenum |
Common name: |
Methi, Fenugreek, Greek-clover, Greek hay |
Plant family: |
Fabaceae |
Genus: |
Trigonella |
Appearance/Color: |
Yellowish color with a hint of brown |
Odor: |
It has a powerful aroma which is fragrant but with tones of
bitter. |
Blends With: |
Cinnamon |
Origin: |
India |
Source: |
Seeds |
Method of
Extraction: |
Steam Distillation |
Fenugreek (Trigonella
foenum-graecum L.) is an annual forage legume and a traditional spice and
aromatic crop that has been grown for centuries across the Indian subcontinent.
In addition to South Asia, the crop is also grown in some parts of North Africa,
Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, China, South East (SE) Asia, Australia, the
USA, Argentina and Canada.
Fenugreek (Trigonella
foenum-graecum) is a leguminous herb which belongs to the family Fabaceae. The
plant seeds are used in Asia, Africa, and Mediterranean countries as one of the
ingredients in daily diets and in some domains such as medicine, nutrition,
beverages, fragrances, cosmetics, or industrial purposes. The pharmacological
effects of fenugreek are antimicrobial, anticholesterolemic, carminative,
febrifuge, laxative, restorative, uterine tonic, expectoral, galactogogue,
anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, hypotensive, etc.
The plant has been used
traditionally in Indian Ayurvedic medicines as well as in traditional Tibetan
and Chinese medication for several centuries. Modern research has also
demonstrated that fenugreek seed and leaves are useful in the treatment of a
number of diseases including successfully reducing blood sugar and blood
cholesterol levels in both animals and humans. The plant has recently attracted
great interest in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and functional food
industries due to its rich medicinal properties.
Fenugreek Essential Oil in
Pharma
Fenugreek has a beneficial effect
on cleansing the blood, and as a diaphoretic, it is able to bring on sweat and
to help detox the body. The galactomannan-rich soluble fiber fraction of
fenugreek seeds may be responsible for the antidiabetic activity. The plant
seeds are used in Asia, Africa, and Mediterranean countries as one of the
ingredients in daily diets and in some domains such as medicine, nutrition,
beverages, fragrances, cosmetics, or industrial purposes. The pharmacological
effects of fenugreek are antimicrobial, anticholesterolemic, carminative,
febrifuge, laxative, restorative, uterine tonic, expectoral, galactogogue,
anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, hypotensive, etc.
Essence of Fenugreek Essential
Oil
The fresh green leaves of T.
foenum-graecum consumed as vegetables, dried seeds are used as spice in
food preparation, and both leaves and seeds are used in flavoring foods in many
countries including India; the seed constitutes an essential part of Bengali five-spice
mixture panch foron that makes the food tasty and provide attractive
flavor during preparation. The T. foenum-graecum seed can be cooked
or sprouted and can even be eaten raw; the whole seeds are taken as an antacid
and against dysentery and stomach disturbances.
COMMON USAGE
·
Good for breastfeeding mothers
·
Reduces menstrual discomfort
·
Minimizes symptoms of menopause
·
Lowers cholesterol
·
Reduces cardiovascular risks
·
Controls diabetes
·
Relieves sore throat
·
Relieves constipation
·
Treats kidney problems
·
Prevents colon cancer
·
Suppresses appetite
Ingredients:
S. No |
Key Constituents |
Strength (%) |
1 |
Neryl acetate |
17.3 |
2 |
Camphor |
16.3 |
3 |
b-pinene |
15.1 |
4 |
b-caryophyllene |
14.6 |
5 |
2,5-dimethylpyrazine |
6.1 |
6 |
Geranial |
4.8 |
7 |
6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one |
4.5 |
8 |
3-octen-2-one |
4.3 |
9 |
a-selinene |
4.0 |
10 |
a-terpineol |
2.8 |
11 |
a-campholenal |
2.6 |
12 |
a-pinene |
2.6 |
13 |
g-terpinene |
2.1 |
TOXICOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
Safety Summary
·
Hazards: drug interaction.
·
Cautions (oral): diabetes medication
Organ-specific effects
·
Adverse skin reactions: No information
found for fenugreek oil. Undiluted fenugreek absolute was moderately irritating
to rabbits, but was not irritating to mice or pigs; tested at 2% on 25
volunteers it was neither irritating nor sensitizing. It is non-phototoxic.
·
Cardiovascular effect: Dietary fenugreek
oil fed to male alloxan-diabetic rats at 5%, significantly inhibited a-amylase
and maltase activity in the pancreas and plasma, and improved glucose
tolerance.
Systemic effects
·
Acute toxicity: Fenugreek absolute acute
oral LD50 in rats >5 g/kg; acute dermal LD50 in rabbits >2 g/kg. No
information was found for fenugreek oil.
·
Carcinogenic/ anticarcinogenic potential:
No information! found for fenugreek oil or absolute, but neither contains any
known carcinogens. a-Cadinol is active against the human colon cancer cell line
HT-29.
·
Drug interactions: Antidiabetic
medication, because of cardiovascular effects, above.
·
Serious eye damage / irritation: Not
classified.
·
Germ Cell Mutagenicity: Not classified.
·
Carcinogenicity: Not classified.
·
Reproductive toxicity: Not classified.
·
STOT-single exposure: Not classified.
·
STOT-repeated exposure: Not classified.
·
Aspiration hazard: May be fatal if
swallowed and enters airways.
·
Photo-toxicity: No additional data
available.
ECOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
·
Toxicity: Not Determined
·
Persistence & degradability
Biodegradability: no degradability data is available; the substance is
considered as not degrading quickly.
·
Bioaccumulation Potential: No additional data
available.
·
Mobility in soil: No additional data available.
·
Results of PBT and vPvB Assessment: No
additional data available.