Botanical name: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Other names: Fenugreek, Methi
Family: Fabaceae
Part used: seed
Taste (rasa): Pungent, astringent, bitter, sweet
Characteristic (guna): Light and unctuous
Energy (veerya): Hot
Post digestive effect (vipak): Pungent
Dosha effect: VK-, P+
Action (karma) : Reduces cholesterol, antidiabetic, mild laxative, digestive, reproductive system tonic
Dosage: Up to 50g/day
Safety: May interact with diabetic medicationA poultice made from the powder is very useful for drawing infections, boils, splinters and arthritic swelling from the body.
Ref: ‘Ayurvedic Medicine’ by Sebastian Pole; ‘Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants’ by Vaidya V.M. Gogte; ‘Yogi of Herbs’ by V. Lad & D. Frawley; ‘Herbs Are Special’ by Isabel Shipard.
