Herbs Guide

Fenugreek

Family Name: Leguminosae

Botanical Name(s): Foenum-Graecum

Popular Name(s): Fenugreek Bird's Foot, Greek Hay

Parts Used: Seeds

Habitat: Native of Southeastern Europe and Western Asia.

Description: Fenugreek is an erect annual with tri-foliate leaves, divided into toothed leaflets. It produces solitary or paired yellow-white flowers tinged with violet.

Uses: Fenugreek is used internally for a variety of problems, such as to treat diabetes in adults (late-onset diabetes), poor digestion, gastric inflammation, digestive disorders and tuberculosis. It is also used for painful menstruation, labor pains and insufficient lactation. It is used externally for skin inflammations, ulcers, boils, eczema and cellulite.