Re: Fenugreek question

[Guest guest]

Fenugreek has been traditionally used as a hypoglycemic agent; as a topical agent to treat skin disorders; to stimulate milk flow in new mothers; and, to treat gastric irritation.

It is commonly used as a laxative, to treat various GI complaints, and as an appetitie stimulant in anorexia nervosa. It is also used in diabetics for its hypoglycemic properties.Jane <ewellmule@...> wrote:

I have a whole big bottle of Fenugreek and I have forgotten what I purchased it for. Can anyone tell me the uses for Fenugreek?

Suzi

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.

http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Addendum:-

How about food? Delicious and is a basic ingredient in curries and chutneys.

Barrie

----- Original Message -----

From: Suzanne

health

Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2005 2:20 PM

Subject: Spam Alert: Re: Fenugreek question

Fenugreek has been traditionally used as a hypoglycemic agent; as a topical agent to treat skin disorders; to stimulate milk flow in new mothers; and, to treat gastric irritation. It is commonly used as a laxative, to treat various GI complaints, and as an appetitie stimulant in anorexia nervosa. It is also used in diabetics for its hypoglycemic properties.Jane <ewellmule@...> wrote: I have a whole big bottle of Fenugreek and I have forgotten what I purchased it for. Can anyone tell me the uses for Fenugreek?

Suzi

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.

http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Suzanne,

Thanks, now I remember what I had it for, to stimulate my milk

supply when I was trying to nurse my baby.

When you say it is good for diabetes, because of it's hypoglycemic

properties, what does that mean? I am diabetic, so if it is good

for me to use for that, I will.

Thanks,

Jane

It is in capusle form, but I guess I could open them and use them in

food.

Jane

>

>

> I have a whole big bottle of Fenugreek and I have forgotten

what I

> purchased it for. Can anyone tell me the uses for Fenugreek?

>

>

>

>

> Suzi

>

> What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been

discovered.

>

> http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Jane wrote:

>

> Suzanne,

> Thanks, now I remember what I had it for, to stimulate my milk

> supply when I was trying to nurse my baby.

>

> When you say it is good for diabetes, because of it's hypoglycemic

> properties, what does that mean? I am diabetic, so if it is good

> for me to use for that, I will.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Jane

====================

Hi Jane,

Fenugreek helps lower blood sugar levels. That is why it is good for

diabetics. Here is an article on it.

*

FENUGREEK

*

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is common herb (Sanskrit –

Mathika; Hindi and Gujarat – Methi, Telugu – Mentikoora, Malayalam –

uluba) widely cultivated for both medicinal and culinary uses.

*HISTORICAL AND TREADITIONAL USE*

For millennia, fenugreek has been used both as a medicine and as a spice

in Egypt, India and the Middle East. The medicinal qualities of

fenugreek seeds have been described in Greek, Latin and Ayurvedic

literature. Medicinally it was used for the treatment of wounds,

abscesses, arthritis, bronchitis and digestive problems.

*ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS*

Seeds of fenugreek are a rich source of fiber. It contains mucilaginous

fiber and total fiber to the extent of 20% and 50% respectively. In

addition it also contains trigonelline – an alkaloid known to reduce

blood sugar level.

It also lowers the levels of serum lipids such as cholesterol and

triglycerides. The steroidal saponins account for many of the beneficial

effects of fenugreek particularly the inhibition of cholesterol

absorption and synthesis. (ie ,by absorbing bile acids, and increasing

the loss of bile acids by fecal excretion, which then leads to an

increased conversion of cholesterol into the bile acids by the liver.

Studies in human and experimental animal conducted at the National

Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad and in other countries have shown the

beneficial effects of fenugreek seeds. Fenugreek leaves don’t show such

effects.

*USE OF FENUGREEK SEEDS IN THE MANAGEMNT OF DIABETES*

The quantity of fenugreek seeds to be taken daily depends upon the

severity of diabetes. The doses vary form 25 to 50g.

Small double – blind studies suggest the fenugreek can be helpful both

for type1 (childhood onset) and type2 (adult onset) diabetes.

In one study of 60 people with type 2 diabetes, 25mg a day of fenugreek

led to significant improvement in overall blood sugar control, blood

sugar elevations in response to a meal and cholesterol levels (Sharma

RD, etal 1996).

In a small double – blind controlled study people with type1 diabetes

were randomly prescribed either fenugreek at a dose of 50gm twice a day

as part of their lunch and dinner or the same meals without the powder ,

each for 10 days. Those on the fenugreek diet had significant decreases

in their fasting blood sugar. (Sharma RD, etal 1990)

To begin with, 25g of fenugreek seeds may be taken in two equal doses of

12.5g each (approximately tow teaspoon) along with lunch and dinner.The

seeds can be taken as such after overnight soaking in water or in powder

form as a drink in water or buttermilk, 15 minutes before the meal.

The Fenugreek seed powder can be incorporated in preparations such as

chapatI, rice, dhal and vegetables. The preparations can be made salty

or sour according to individual taste. Incorporation of fenugreek seeds

reduced the glycaemic index of the preparations by 10 to 20%.

*PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY ISSUES*

As a commonly eaten food, fenugreek is generally regarded as safe. The

only common side effect is mild gastrointestinal distress when it is

taken in high doses.

Because fenugreek can lower blood sugar levels, it is advisable to seek

medical supervision before combining it with diabetes medications.

Extracts made from fenugreek have been shown to stimulate uterine

contraction in guinea pigs for this reason pregnant women should not

take fenugreek in dosages higher than is commonly used as a spice

perhaps 5g a day.

Fenugreek preparations are only useful as supportive therapy and the

usual anti diabetic treatment employed should be continued. However, it

has been observed that the requirement of anti diabetic drugs decreases

with the use of fenugreek.

Optimal dose of anti diabetic drugs required by a diabetic should be

decided on the advice of a physician. During actual complications of

diabetes immediate medical advice should be sought.

The dietary caloric intake particularly from saturated fats and simple

sugars should be allowed to increase. In addition to the use of

fenugreek seeds, regular physical exercise such as walking is beneficial.

As already mentioned, a few patients initially may develop diarrhoea or

excess flatulence (gas formation) on consumption of fenugreek. If they

continue to have these problems, they can reduce the amount of fenugreek.

--

Peace, love and light,

Don " Quai " Eitner

" Spirit sleeps in the mineral, breathes in the vegetable, dreams in the animal

and wakes in man. "

--

In compliance with the highest standards of Universal Law, this email has been

thoroughly disinfected and purified in the solar flares of the sun.

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.

Version: 7.0.302 / Virus Database: 265.8.6 - Release Date: 2/7/05