Fenugreek

Have you ever heard of fenugreek?  Neither have I, until recently.  So, apparently it smells and tastes like maple syrup and can help lower blood sugar levels,  act as an aphrodisiac, and bunch of other stuff you'll have to listen to this episode to find out!  :)

I did mention I would post the link to an article I quoted...actually, I'll give you 3 links:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4894452/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658077X15301065
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/fenugreek#

Music composed and performed by V. Karaitis

Transcript

Hey!  Thanks for listening!  I’m Chris Wagenti, and this is Who Gets It, Naturally.  Music was composed and performed by V. Karaitis.  I’m not selling anything, diagnosing anything; offering any cures or replacing your doctor.  I’m just sharing my passion for natural products.  If you’re pregnant, please consult your doctor before trying anything new.  Everyone is different so you may need to tweak the recipes a bit to work for you.  Always start with the least amount of essential oils…you can always add, you can’t take away.  Remember, these remedies don’t last forever, you need to reapply as needed.  If you are allergic to any of the ingredients I use, please substitute for something you’re not allergic to.  Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean you can’t be allergic to it.

I want to start this episode off by talking about buying pre-made products vs making your own.  Not everyone is going to want to make their own stuff.  I get it.  Sometimes I don’t feel like making anything, so I buy stuff…like, I found a great laundry detergent, it’s called 9 Elements.  Actually, they have laundry detergent, bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner…  they’re made with 9 ingredients or less, including vinegar and citric acid.  The fragrances they do use are essential oils, and most importantly, don’t bother me.  My clothes get clean, smell fresh, and don’t make me itch.  When it’s on sale and I have a coupon for it, I’ll pick up a bottle whether I need it or not, just so I have it for when I don’t feel like making it, or don’t have all the ingredients needed.  Isn’t making your own cheaper?  Depends…do the ingredients just sit around until you force yourself to make some, and then the expiration date passed 3 weeks ago?  Is it within your budget just to buy it?  Either way, you need to try different things until you find what works for you, and, you need to know what you want to accomplish, and what your options are to get you there.  For instance, my sister Janet texted me a bunch of pictures the other day of a boxed product, in a bottle, showing me all of  the ingredients.  It was an oral flush made with fractionated coconut oil, Peppermint, Spearmint, Clove, Tea Tree, Cardamom, Oregano and Fennel Essential Oils, Vitamins E, D and K, and stevia.  It’s a pulling oil that you swish around in your mouth for a few minutes, then spit out, rinse and brush your teeth.  I’ve heard of pulling before, years ago when I first started using coconut oil.  It “pulls” bacteria and germs from your teeth, gums and mouth.  She texted me the pics and said “call me”.   She had a toothache.  One of her friends suggested she try this, she swears by it.  She had something going on in her mouth, so she tried it…the dentist said “whatever you’re using, keep using it…your gums look great.”  So Janet thought she’d give it a shot, and asked me about the ingredients…like I’ve never said any of them are good for oral issues, Hey, whatever works.  I told her to try it, but just because it works for her friend doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll work for her, but she won’t know unless she tries it.  Like her son, every time I tell him to use an essential oil or an herb he thinks I’m crazy.  He’s living with his girlfriend…they had an ant problem.  She heard cinnamon sticks are supposed to work, so they tried it.  It worked…so now they have cinnamon sticks all over to keep the ants away.  Sometimes you just need to hear something the right way from someone other than family.  If I can at least plant a seed, so that when someone else mentions something I’ve discussed, maybe you’ll give it a shot and find what works!  More and more I’m hearing about a product someone bought and it works for them.  That’s GREAT!!!  I couldn’t be happier.  That’s the hardest part, finding what works.  I’m seeing more and more products that have very few ingredients, most of which are essential oils, carrier oils and/or herbs or spices.  That’s awesome!  If you see something within your budget, go for it, because that’s the only way you’ll know if it’s right for you.

Ok, on to the topic of the episode…let’s talk about Fenugreek.  I mentioned it in Episode 2, Blood Sugar.  I’ve never tried it, as far as I know, and I’ve never even heard of it until recently.  It started popping up a lot in my research.  Needless to say, I have no personal experience with it, so everything is off of research.  I will say, I have seen some differing information.  You’ll pick up on some of it as I go along.  Do your own research and come to your own conclusions.  Probably not what you wanted to hear, but since I’ve never used it or heard of it until recently, I really don’t have anything to weigh this information against.  So, with all of that said, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, found at https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/fenugreek, QUOTE “Fenugreek is a clover-like herb native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe, and western Asia. Its seeds, which smell and taste like maple syrup, have been used in cooking and as medicine. Fenugreek is used as an ingredient in spice blends and a flavoring agent in foods, beverages, and tobacco. Fenugreek extracts are also used in soaps and cosmetics.  In North Africa, Asia, and southern Europe, fenugreek was traditionally used for diabetes and to increase milk supply in women who were breastfeeding.  Today, fenugreek is promoted as a dietary supplement for diabetes, menstrual cramps, and other conditions and to stimulate milk production during breastfeeding.” END QUOTE

It’s used to lower blood sugar levels; in the treatment of cellulitis, boils, and tuberculosis; to relieve postmenopausal symptoms and reduce menstrual cramps; increase sex drive; and in imitation maple syrup due to its maple aroma and flavor.

Science Direct has a report on Fenugreek which can be found at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658077X15301065.  It states, QUOTE “Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a legume and it has been used as a spice throughout the world to enhance the sensory quality of foods. It is known for its medicinal qualities such as antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, and immunological activities. Beside its medicinal value, it is also used as a part of various food product developments as food stabilizer, adhesive, and emulsifying agent. More importantly it is used for the development of healthy and nutritious extruded and bakery product.”  END QUOTE  Side note…this is verbatim from these sites.  Not always the best grammar, but remember, a lot of this research is done in other countries and the reports are translated into English.  

Fenugreek seeds contain a substantial amount of dietary fiber; phospholipids; glycolipids; oleic acid; linolenic acid; linoleic acid; choline; vitamins A, B1, B2, and C; nicotinic acid; niacin; coumarins among others.  Some of these should sound familiar.  Are you picking up the similarities between the constituents of these herbs and what they are best known for?

NOTE:  reminder - coumarins are natural blood thinners.  If you are taking prescription blood thinners, or have a syndrome that prohibits the blood from clotting, check with your medical professional before using fenugreek.

Many different walks of life use fenugreek for medicinal purposes, including the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks…it’s mentioned in Latin and Ayurvedic texts.  It’s noted as an aphrodisiac; for digestive and respiratory problems; to ease childbirth and to increase milk flow; to relieve menstrual cramps; and to ease other kinds of abdominal pain.  

In the kitchen, in Egypt and Ethiopia, it is called methi, and is used in baking bread.  The Swiss flavor cheese with it. Here in the US, it is mainly used to make spice blends for soups and stews.  European countries use it in curry powders.  In India, Pakistan, and other Asian countries it’s used to pickle and as a part of a spice mixture.   

The Science Direct report also states, QUOTE “Fenugreek has a beneficial effect on cleansing the blood and as a diaphoretic it is able to bring on a sweat and to help detox the body. Due to pungent aroma of fenugreek, that is smelt on the skin and in under-arm perspiration. Fenugreek is also known for its lymphatic cleansing activity though its vital role is to irrigate the cells with nutrients and to remove toxic wastes, dead cells and trapped proteins from the body. Block in the lymphatic system can mean poor circulation of fluid, fluid retention, pain, energy loss and disease, anywhere in the body of a person. Fenugreek maintains mucus conditions of the body, mostly the lungs, by helping to clear congestion. It also acts as a throat cleanser and mucus solvent that also eases the urge to cough. Drinking water in which seeds of fenugreek have soaked helps in softening and dissolving, accumulating and hardening the masses of cellular debris. Fenugreek has been used to relieve colds, bronchial complaints, influenza, asthma, catarrh, constipation, sinusitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, sore throat, laryngitis, hay fever, tuberculosis and emphysema.”  END QUOTE

The report goes on to discuss various findings on the use and functions of fenugreek.  In summary, the Conclusion of the report is as follows.  QUOTE: “Fenugreek having antidiabetic, antifertility, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, lactation stimulant and hypocholesterolemic effects has been discussed in this review. Fenugreek has been found to have important bioactive compounds. From this review it was observed that fenugreek has been used as food stabilizer, food adhesive, food emulsifier and gum. Fenugreek has been used to produce various types of bakery products and extruded product. Based on these several health usefulness as discussed in review, based on various past reported scientific findings, fenugreek can be recommended and must be taken as a part of our daily diet as its liberal use is safe and various health benefits can be drawn from this natural herb. The above-mentioned studies on fenugreek suggest that the functional, nutritional and therapeutic characteristics of fenugreek can be exploited further in the  development of healthy products.”  END QUOTE.  Links to the “above mentioned studies” can be found in the report.  I have added a link to this report to this episode description on my website - https://whogetsitnaturally.buzzsprout.com if you want to read more on this.

Fenugreek also contains a decent amount of iron, manganese and magnesium.  Other uses which are being researched include treating skin conditions; reduce inflammation; boost testosterone in men; reduce symptoms of heartburn; lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels; reduce appetite and fat intake; improve metabolism; aid with digestive disorders; and improve hair health.  

As with other herbs, spices and essential oils…if you are taking medications to help control an issue, like blood thinners, insulin, etc, consult with your medical professional before starting or increasing your intake of any herb, spice, essential oil and/or supplement that touts doing the same thing.  For instance, if you are diabetic and you are taking insulin, work with your medical professional before you start taking fenugreek to lower your blood sugar levels.  Too little blood sugar is just as bad as too much.  You could end up doing more harm than good.  

According to Dr. Axe, at https://draxe.com/nutrition/fenugreek/, QUOTE: “There are a few possible fenugreek side effects. When taken by mouth, it may cause gas, bloating and diarrhea, and there’s the risk of allergic reactions that can cause coughing, wheezing and swelling.

It also can cause irritation when applied directly to the skin, so always test a small area first.

Even though it has been used for inducing childbirth, women should always use caution when taking fenugreek during pregnancy. Make sure you talk to your health care provider about it prior to use.

It’s also important to note that fenugreek could cause harmful effects and interactions that can thin the blood and cause excessive bleeding in some people. Those with underlying bleeding disorders or who take blood-thinning drugs or anticoagulants should not take it without their doctors’ approval.

Signs of problematic interactions, like excessive bleeding, include easy bruising, vomiting blood or passing dark stools.

There may also be interactions with people who have diabetes because fenugreek can lower blood sugar levels and interact with diabetes drugs.

Final Thoughts

• Fenugreek is an herbal remedy that’s been used in folk medicine for a range of health conditions. Today, people supplement with the seeds and leaves of the plant to reduce high cholesterol, improve libido, increase beast milk production and more.
• Herbal fenugreek may also help to prevent or fight inflammatory disease and issues related to digestion and high blood sugar.
• There are some possible side effects and interactions from this herbal remedy. It should not be taken during pregnancy unless advised by a doctor. It may also interact with blood-thinning medications and drugs for diabetes.”  END QUOTE

As I stated at the beginning, there’s a lot of conflicting info.  Some reports I’ve read say fenugreek is not safe to be used in treatments of any kind, some say the few tests that have been done were too small to draw conclusions from.  Some say various results prove the efficacy of fenugreek.  This is one herb I’m stressing for you to do your own research on.  Again, I have no personal experiences with it.  

As always, If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email me at vobyjypsee@usa.com … You can follow me on X and Instagram … @vobyjypsee; or LinkedIn…search either Chris Wagenti, Who Gets It, Naturally or Voice Overs by Jypsee.  Please download this episode, and make Who Gets It, Naturally a favorite on your preferred channel so you don’t miss an episode.

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