Gunba sinna (Trigonella foenum graecum); fenugreek
An annual herbaceous plant of the legume family. The stem is erect, sparsely pubescent, 10-50 cm tall. The leaves are alternate, tripartite, with toothed leaflets. The flowers are zygomorphic, 1-2 each in the axils of the leaves; corolla is pale yellow. The fruit is a bean. Blooms in June.
Spread. Comes from the Mediterranean. In Ukraine, it is bred as a fodder or essential oil plant.
Parts used: seeds.
Pharmaceutical name: fenugreek seeds – Foenugraeci semen (formerly: Semen Foenugraeci).
Botanical description. This annual plant has a strong smell. A powerful taproot firmly anchors it in the soil, and a 60-cm-high flower stalk rises to the surface. Often, however, the shoots lie on the ground. The stem is rounded, branches in the apical part. The leaves are similar to clover, trifoliate. Yellow and yellow-white butterfly flowers are located singly or in pairs in the leaf axils. Fruits up to 10 cm long, saber-shaped, contain from 5 to 20 seeds. Blooms in May-June. It is found wild from the Mediterranean Sea to Central Asia; to the north of the Alps it is cultivated, though rarely. We can grow it everywhere. Ripe seeds should be sown in rows, at a distance of 20 cm from each other, so that individual plants develop well.
Collection and procurement. The seeds are dried for medicinal purposes. The active substances of fenugreek are well studied. The seeds typically have a high content of mucous substances (20-45%), proteins (25%) and fats (about 8%), which justifies their ancient use as a tonic. Along with this, a large number of steroidal saponins, sterols, flavonoids and some essential oil with more than 50 components are found. The characteristic smell is caused by 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2 (5H)-fura > nom.
Healing effect and application.The application is versatile and in some respects controversial. Externally, fenugreek seeds are used like flax seeds to soften boils and carbuncles in the form of a hot compress. o Hot compress: 10 g of coarsely ground seeds are mixed with a small amount of water and boiled into a mushy mass. It is thickly smeared on a linen bandage, which is applied to the softening place. The bandage is changed 3-4 times a day. Using vinegar instead of water increases the effectiveness of the bandage. Such compresses are especially helpful for panaritium and phlegmon, as well as for purulent ulcers of the leg. Inside, fenugreek is used as a general tonic, a tablespoon several times a day. The powder can also be recommended for intestinal peristalsis disorders. Effectiveness in cough is controversial. Many things require careful research, as, for example, we advocate the antidiabetic effect, the ability to lower cholesterol, the stimulating effect on the heart, or the ability to inhibit the growth and development of bacteria. Use as a seasoning. Due to the fact that the powdered seeds smell very strong, they increase and stimulate gastric activity, so in many places they try to introduce them into cooking as spices. However, these attempts are not very successful, because the same mistake is always made – Spicy overdose. To feel the taste, it should be used in very small quantities (like nutmeg). Fenugreek seeds are contained under many spicy mixtures that are imported to us under the name “curry”. Other spices do NOT dominate its taste. a stimulating effect on the heart or the ability to inhibit the growth and development of bacteria. Use as a seasoning. Due to the fact that the powdered seeds smell very strong, they increase and stimulate gastric activity, so in many places they try to introduce them into cooking as spices. However, these attempts are not very successful, because the same mistake is always made – Spicy overdose. To feel the taste, it should be used in very small quantities (like nutmeg). Fenugreek seeds are contained under many spicy mixtures that are imported to us under the name “curry”. Other spices do NOT dominate its taste. a stimulating effect on the heart or the ability to inhibit the growth and development of bacteria. Use as a seasoning. Due to the fact that the powdered seeds smell very strong, they increase and stimulate gastric activity, so in many places they try to introduce them into cooking as spices. However, these attempts are not very successful, because the same mistake is always made – Spicy overdose. To feel the taste, it should be used in very small quantities (like nutmeg). Fenugreek seeds are contained under many spicy mixtures that are imported to us under the name “curry”. Other spices do NOT dominate its taste. therefore, in many places they try to introduce them into cooking as spices. However, these attempts are not very successful, because the same mistake is always made – Spicy overdose. To feel the taste, it should be used in very small quantities (like nutmeg). Fenugreek seeds are contained under many spicy mixtures that are imported to us under the name “curry”. Other spices do NOT dominate its taste. therefore, in many places they try to introduce them into cooking as spices. However, these attempts are not very successful, because the same mistake is always made – Spicy overdose. To feel the taste, it should be used in very small quantities (like nutmeg). Fenugreek seeds are contained under many spicy mixtures that are imported to us under the name “curry”. Other spices do NOT dominate its taste.
Application in folk medicine. All the above-described application options are also known to traditional medicine. In addition, the seeds are used to increase the secretion of milk and are given in the form of tea mainly to elderly people with chronic cough.
- Fenugreek tea: pour 1/4 liter of cold water with 2 tablespoons of seed powder, insist for 3 hours, quickly bring to a boil and immediately filter; drink moderately warm. Honey enhances the effect of cough. Half as strong decoction can be used to make baths for hands and feet to reduce their sweating.
Side effects are unknown.
Pharmacological properties and use . Fenugreek seeds are used as a tonic that stimulates the appetite. It is prescribed for cachexia, lung diseases, avitaminosis RR and as an external remedy for eczema.
Medicinal forms and applications .
Internally – 1 teaspoon of ground seeds is brewed with a glass of boiling water, infused for 20 minutes. and drink in a day.
Externally – grinded seeds are boiled for 10 minutes. in a small amount of water (until a gruel is obtained), transferred to a cloth and applied to the sore spot.