Introduction

Introduction
    Family : Fabaceae
    English name: Fenugreek, Greekhayes
    Indian name : Methi, Methe (Hindi, Sanskrit), Menthya (Kannada), Ventayan, Uluva (Malayalam), Vendayam, Venthiyam (Tamil), Mentulu, Menthulu (Telugu).
     Species : Trigonella foenum-graecum L., T corniculata.
    Distribution : Mediterranean region, Central Asia, South- Eastern Europe, Ethiopia, China, Pakistan.
    Uses : Seed spice, culinary purposes, ayurvedic medicines.
  • Fenugreek, commonly called Greekhayes or Methi, is the dried ripe fruit of the pulse Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (2n=16) of the family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as a leafy vegetable, condiment and as a medicinal plant. The composition of 100 g of dried seed is moisture-13.7 g, protein-26.2 g, carbohydrate-44.1 g, crude fibre-7.2 g, fat-5.8 g, minerals-3.0 g, calcium-160 mg, iron-14.1 mg, phosphorus-370.0 mg, vitamin—A-96 IU, vitamin—B1-10.34 mg, vitamin—B2-20.29 mg, niacin-1.1 mg, food energy-333 calories. In a nutshell, fenugreek seeds contain many substances like protein, starch, sugars, mucilage, mineral matter, volatile oil (0.02%), fixed oil, (7%) vitamins and enzymes. The seeds are rich in amino acids.
  • The see ds also contain the sapogenindiosgenin, which could be isolated by direct acid hydrolysis of seeds without incubation. The diosgenin yield would be 0.9%, its 25-epimer (yamogenin), tigogenin, gitogenin, yuccagenin, 25-2-spirosta-3.5-diene and its b-epimer. They also contain a C27—steroidal sapogenin peptide ester, fenugreekine, 4- hydroxyleucine and saponins, fenugrins A-E and two furostanol glycosides. The fenugreek leaves and stems are rich in calcium, iron, carotene, ascorbic acid and protein (3-5%).
  • As a spice, fenugreek adds to the nutritive value and flavour of foods. The seeds are eaten either boiled or raw with honey in Greece. In the United States the seeds are used in the manufacture of clustrey and in various spice blends. Fenugreek is a popular ingredient of bread known to Arabs as 'hubla' in Egypt and Ethiopia. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, fenugreek flour is used in the preparation of chapathi.
  • Medicinally, the leaves are refrigerant and aperient and are given internally for vitiated conditions of pitta. The seeds are used for colic, flatulence, dysentery, diarrhoea, dyspepsia with loss of appetite, dropsy, fever, vomiting, anorexia, cough, bronchitis, enlargement of the liver and spleen, rickets, gout, diabetes and colonitis. An infusion of the seeds is a good cool drink for smallpox patients. The seeds are used in India to induce lactation during the post-natal period. The seeds also find application in the synthesis of sex hormones as oral contraceptives. The powdered seeds are used in veterinary medicines. An aqueous extract of the seeds possesses antibacterial property.
  • The seeds are also used in hair tonic preparations. A mixture of fenugreek and cotton-seed powder fed to milch cattle will increase the flow of milk. The seeds are good for the elimination of bad breath and body odour. The flowers are also used for flavouring. Fenugreek paper paste, developed at the Cardamom Research Institute (Spices Board) is used for the coating of bamboo mats, for drying black pepper, and for yielding better quality and more hygienic paper.
Last modified: Thursday, 8 March 2012, 10:35 AM