Methi - Vendhayam

Methi - Vendhayam

Botanical Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Tamil: Vendhayam
English: Fenugreek
Hindi: Methi
Sanskrit: Methika
Malayalam: Uluva
Telugu: Menthulu
Kannada: Mentya

Fenugreek is a plant in the Fabaceae family. Fenugreek is used both as a herb (the leaves) and as a spice (the seed, often called vendhayam or methi). The plant is cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop and is a common ingredient in many curries. Fenugreek has grown in India, Mediterranean and Africa for centuries.

Parts used:
Fenugreek Leaves and Seeds. Fenugreek is used both as a herb (leaves) and as a spice (seed).

Common Uses:
Arthritis and Bronchitis, induce Labor, improve Digestion and maintain Healthy metabolism. Reproductive disorders in women. Breast enhancement, increasing breast Milk, Anti-oxidants, Menopause, Diabetes, Fevers, Sore throats, Wounds, Skin irritations, Ulcers, and Gout pain.

Principle Constituents:
Fenugreek seeds are a rich source of the polysaccharide galactomannan. They are also a source of saponins such as diosgenin, yamogenin, gitogenin, tigogenin, and neotigogens. Other bioactive constituents of fenugreek include mucilage, volatile oils, and alkaloids such as choline and trigonelline.

SIDDHA medicinal uses:
- Taking fenugreek seed regularly will lower the risk of heart attack by more than 25 percent.

- Studies have shown that participants with type 2 diabetes had significantly lower blood sugar levels after eating fenugreek.

- Fenugreek as an effective topical treatment for skin problems such as abscesses, boils, burns, eczema, gout and ulceration of the skin.

- Mix it with warm water to make a poultice and apply it directly onto the inflamed skin. (A poultice is simply a piece of cloth that has been soaked into the warm water mixture and then applied to the skin).

- Fenugreek seeds contain a lot of mucilage, which helps sooth gastrointestinal inflammation by coating the lining of the stomach and intestine, which is very effective remedy against heartburn or Acid Reflux.

- The Fenugreek herb has been known to help reduce fever when taken with lemon and honey, since it nourishes the body during an illness.

- Fenugreek is used in commercial preparations and teas formulated to help balance women’s hormones and to enlarge the breasts.

- Fenugreek stimulates uterine contractions and can be helpful to induce childbirth.

- Fenugreek has been known to increase milk production in lactating women. Research has even shown that milk production can increase by over 50 percent within 24 to 72 hours after consuming fenugreek.

- Recent studies have shown that fenugreek helps lower blood glucose levels.

- It is useful for enlargement of liver and spleen.

- It is useful for Anemia.

Note: Siddha treatment is based on complete physical examination of the patient, Naadi diagnosis, and other diagnostic criteria of the disease. The content given in this article is purely meant for information and education purpose only. Kindly consult a Siddha physician before any sort of self medication.