Scientific name: Trigonella foenum- graceum
English name: Fenugreek
Family: Leguminosae
Fenugreek is a herbaceous, annual plant. its height reaches to 50 cm. It has oval leaves with rounded tips. Leaves are made of 3 leaflets. Flowers are simple and mostly yellow or purple. The fruit is 11 cm long and contain 20 seeds. Seeds are orange to brown. The useful parts of this plant are the seeds, which are aromatic and have a bitter taste. It is cultivated in different parts of Iran and it is used in many Iranian foods. There are a few herbal medications which are made of fenugreek, and most of these medications are made of fenugreek powdered.
History:
Fenugreek has been used as a medicinal plant for many centuries. It is helpful in treatment of pimples, diabetes and tuberculosis. It is applied to product steroid hormones and seed pulps are used as a fertilizer which are rich in nitrogen and potassium.
Geographic origin of fenugreek:
It is a native plant of mediterranean region. Most exports of this plant are related to India, Morocco, China and turkey.
Active substances:
Mucilage, proteins, saponins, diosgenin, trigonelline are extracted from fenugreek.
Therapeutic effects:
It contains a high amount of protein and used topically in the form of an ointment to treat pimples, burns, inflammation, and eczema. It controls diabetes, blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure. Also, this plant strengthens the heart and uterus. It could be effective in loss of appetite, atrophy, eczema, stomach ache, ulcers, and low sexual desire and etc. In addition, it has many therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, carminative, anticancer, diuretic, and antiseptic properties.
Side effects:
The high amount of doses can cause headache, nausea and irritation.
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