| Fenugreek is a native to India and southern Europe. For | | | | antioxidants and metabolic enzymes, but it is unclear |
| centuries it has grown wild in India, the Mediterranean | | | | whether this effect occurs in humans. |
| and North Africa where it is mostly cultivated. A limited | | | | Several animal studies and a few clinical trials show |
| crop grows in France. It was used by the ancient | | | | that fenugreek can lower blood glucose levels when |
| Egyptians to combat fever and grown in classical | | | | taken with meals. However, not nearly enough |
| times as cattle fodder. Commercially, it is used in the | | | | research has been performed with fenugreek to |
| preparation of mango chutneys and as a base for | | | | support its use as a replacement for diabetes |
| imitation maple syrup. | | | | medications. |
| In India it is used medicinally, and as a yellow dyestuff. It | | | | Nearly all mothers who consume fenugreek report an |
| is also an oriental cattle fodder and is planted as a soil | | | | increase in their milk supply within 24 to 72 hours after |
| renovator. In the West, fenugreek's therapeutic use is | | | | taking the herb. Most find that they can stop taking the |
| now largely confined to the treatment of animals, | | | | herb once their level of milk production goes up as long |
| though historically. It has been used in human medicine. | | | | as they make sure that both breasts are being |
| The name derives from the Latin 'Greek hay' illustrating | | | | completely emptied every two to three hours. |
| its classical use as fodder. | | | | Fenugreek will not improve low production when the |
| Fenugreek is the small stony seeds from the pod of a | | | | breasts are not being well drained. |
| bean like plant. The seeds are hard, yellowish brown | | | | You can buy fenugreek capsules containing ground |
| and angular. Some are oblong, some rhombic, other | | | | seeds at most health food stores in capsule or tablet |
| virtually cubic, with a side of about 3mm (1/8"). A deep | | | | forms. Although some brands recommend that you |
| furrow all but splits them in two. | | | | take one capsule three times a day, this dosage is too |
| Much research has been conducted in India and other | | | | low to adequately improve milk production. In our clinic, |
| countries studying the medicinal effects of fenugreek, | | | | we recommend two or three capsules three times a |
| focusing on its potential in diabetes. In healthy and | | | | day. You may also drink fenugreek tea, but it has an |
| diabetic animals and humans, fenugreek lowers | | | | unpleasant bitter taste and is not considered as potent |
| cholesterol, blood triglyceride levels, and blood glucose | | | | as taking the herb directly. |
| levels. Scientists are not certain how this effect | | | | *Statements contained herein have not been |
| happens, but propose that the fiber in fenugreek binds | | | | evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. |
| to glucose and cholesterol in the digestive tract and | | | | Fenugreek is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure |
| prevents it from being absorbed by the body, or | | | | or prevent disease. Always consult with your |
| increases insulin secretion. Laboratory studies in rats | | | | professional health care provider before changing any |
| show that fenugreek normalizes their blood levels of | | | | medication or adding Vitamins to medications. |