Fenugreek or methi is an ingredient commonly found in the Indian household. Found to taste bitter these tiny golden seeds are a storehouse of various benefits.
Fenugreek finds its way into alternate and Chinese medicine for a longer period of time. Because of it’s property to help in thickening, it is also used in gravies though it adds a bitter taste.
Fenugreek also finds itself in the list of ingredients in making soap and shampoo.
The leaves from methi are rich in fibre and used to make numerous dishes to add flavour. Did you know its so very easy to grow fenugreek even in your balcony/kitchen garden?
REASONS TO INCLUDE FENUGREEK
Because of the soluble fibers present in it, fenugreek helps in lowering LDL, reducing blood sugar levels and weight loss. It also helps in fighting against colon cancer and also treat acid re flux and heart burns.
Fenugreek herbal tea helps boost breastmilk production. Hence a lot of new mothers instead of taking over the counter medicines to boost milk supply could resort to home remedies like these to help in boosting their breastmilk production.
Fenugreek when consumed regularly by men helps in boosting testosterone and therefore as a beneficial effect show increased libido.
Fenugreek helps in lowering blood sugar levels. Fenugreek plays a major role in improvising insulin levels and the high fibre content helps in maintaining the sugar levels.
Appetite control and weight loss- Fenugreek helps in appetite control aiding less intake of fat and overall reduction in appetite. Hence consumption of fenugreek on regular basis aids weight loss.
Fenugreek helps in reduction of frequent heart burn symptoms thereby reducing the intake of antacid medication. It strengthens the digestive tract and helps keep a check on gastritis and bloating.
Fenugreek since it is rich in fibre and also amounts of antioxidants helps in flushing out harmful toxins from the body.
Fenugreek is a great addition for intake for people whose body is dominated by kapha. The seeds helps in generating heat in the body, because these people are weakly immune and mostly prone to flu, cold and cough. The heat generation helps in immunity boosting.
Fenugreek leaves are great for skin health. The rich amounts of antioxidants and vitamins helps in tackling skin problems.
Fenugreek helps in reduction of hair fall and boost hair growth. It can be taken in powder form mixed with buttermilk to reap this benefit. You can also apply soaked fenugreek paste or fenugreek infused coconut oil on your hair to tackle hair fall and boost hair growth.
Fenugreek helps in treatment of fever and sore throat when consumed in combination with lemon and honey.
Fenugreek helps in treating uterine problems like menstrual cramps, period pains and hot flushes. Fenugreek water helps in easing the pain during the time of menstruation.
It is said that fenugreek empowers the mammary glands and hence encourages development of breast tissues. This helps in increase breast size.
Fenugreek helps in destroying free radicals in body and fights against skin problems like dark circles, wrinkles and age spots.
Fenugreek seeds benefit pregnant women by stimulating the labour and uterine contractions, they are also said to decrease in pain. However if taken in excess it leads to miscarriage and preterm labour.
The compound galactomannan present in fenugreek helps in tackling cardiovascular diseases.
HOW TO INCLUDE FENUGREEK?
- Fenugreek can be soaked overnight and seeds can be consumed in empty stomach in the morning.
- Fenugreek can be soaked overnight and the infused water can be consumed on empty stomach.
- Fenugreek herbal tea can be consumed by adding two teaspoons of fenugreek to a glass of water. Boil and reduce to half and consumed.
- Fenugreek can be roasted and made into powder. This can be taken with buttermilk, water or even added in curries or gravies.
- Fenugreek can be sprouted and made into sabzi.
- Fenugreek leaves can be included in diet to make rotis, dal or gravies.
FENUGREEK FOR HAIR
OIL : Roast about 3 teaspoons of fenugreek . Mix in about 100 ml of coconut oil. Let it infuse for a week and it can be used for hot oil massages for the hair.
MASK: Fenugreek can be soaked overnight , ground with water or curd and applied as a hair mask. Wait it out for about 30 minutes and shower with regular shampoo and conditioner.
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