Authors: Muhammad Shahroz Khan, Rana Muhammad Ateeq Ahmad
Institute of Horticulture Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan.
Nutritious and Health benefits of Fenugreek
The fenugreek is known as methi. Fenugreek is a herb having green leaves and produce white flowers. It is used as vegetable in raw form as well as dried form. The botanically is called Trigonellia foenumgrccum L. and belongs to family Fabaceae. The fenugreek plant has height of 2-3 feet tall and having pod containing yellow-brown flat seeds. The fenugreek has three leaflets of obovate to oblong shape. The leaves are consumed as vegetable and their seed as condiments. The fenugreek has therapeutic value. It inhibits constipation and helps in removing indigestion problems and stimulates speen and is appetizing. The foliage is rich source of vitamin C, minerals and protein.
Climate:
Fenugreek is winter crop and It can tolerate frost. Local type methi grows and produce on upright young branch where as kasuri methi is slow growing primarily and remains in an emblem condition meanwhile its vegetative periods. The fenugreek worldwide grows as semiarid crop.
Soil and its Preparation:
Fenugreek is recommended for all type of soil however loamy soils are finest and suitable for its farming. The soil should be well drained and should be prepared thoroughly. The fenugreek improves the soil health. The fenugreek cannot bear cold temperature. The fenugreek can be sown between mid of September to mid of March. The fenugreek required 25 kg seed rate per hectare. The Soil is carefully arranged before planting. The beds of appropriate size should be arranged. Seeds are broadcast by important method broadcasting, but line sowing at 25cm space helps in weeding and intercultural practices. The FYM required 30 to 50 cart loads and it should be useful at the time of soil preparation. The total FYM requirement is 50 kg n/ha and among them 25kg n/ha of nitrogen must be applied sowing time.
Harvesting and Yield:
Generally common methi foliage are squeezed 2 cm beyond ground surface, after 3- 4 weeks of sowing. In overall, 2-3 cutting are taken. Once plant is displaced crop is constrained and marketed.
Nutritional Value
The fenugreek is very important crop. It provides many kinds of nutrients such as energy, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The fenugreek is act as cure of irritation because it has a substance called mucilage when it combined with water produce gelatinous which is used for irritation treatment. The fenugreek contains great number of phytonutrients like abogenin, tigogenin, dioseginin, abogenin and choline. The fenugreek seeds have non-starched polysaccharides which controls cholesterol level in body. The fenugreek has minerals which maintain blood pressure, body fluids and heart rate.
| Energy | 12 calories |
| protein | 0.85 grams |
| Fat | 0.24 grams |
| Fiber | 0.9 grams |
| Calcium | 07 mg |
| Iron | 1.24 mg |
| Magnesium | 07 mg |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg |
| Potassium | 28 mg |
Varieties of fenugreek
The fenugreek has two major cultivars, the one is kasuri methi and the other is lahori methi. The kasuri methi is worldwide famous due to its Aroma. The kasuri methi is used at garnishing to give fragrance. The white methi is also very famous due to its taste and nutrient contents. The both kasuri and white methi used as vegetable and for medicinal purpose. There are also different cultivars like punching type, EC4911, pusa early, methi No- 47 and No- 14 are significant cultivars of methi. The pusa early and bunching type are early varieties and these are known as common methi. The fenugreek required almost 125 days for seed ripeness. The cultivars methi No.14 and methi No.47 stand as high yielding cultivars. There some nutrients difference of both major groups which given below:
| Nutrients | Lahori methi | Kasuri methi |
| Ash value | 3.10 | 3.9 |
| Moisture | 7.50 | 8.1 |
| Fat | 6.47 | 6.4 |
Health benefits of fenugreek
The fenugreek is used as vegetable as well as medicinal plant. The fenugreek has God gifted elements which makes the special and used to cure many diseases. The fenugreek helps to cure many diseases like lymphadenitis, gout and inflammation. The fenugreek is used for treatments of following diseases.
Improves Digestive Problems and Cholesterol Levels
The fenugreek is used for treatment of various digestive problems like Inflammation of stomach and Constipation. The fenugreek which is rich in fibre used as treatment of constipation. The fenugreek also used to cure heart disease like hardening of heart and cholesterol level. The modern research of fenugreek tells that use of 2.5 gram of fenugreek in twice a day maintain cholesterol level naturally.
Increases Libido in Men
The fenugreek is used for treating different diseases like baldness, erectile dysfunction and hernias. The fenugreek may increase testosterone level and increase sexual arousal. The fenugreek is used in many supplements used for male sexualness.
Adds Flavour and Spice to Food
The fenugreek has great taste and aroma used in many curried dishes. The fenugreeks used in tobacco, beverages and food as a flavouring agent. The fenugreek leaves used in salads, and used in sub-continent cookery.
Controls Diabetes
The fenugreek has natural fiber galactomannan which control rate of sugar enter into blood stream. The fenugreek has amino acid which control insulin production. Fenugreek dose about 15-20 grams recommended to control blood sugar when use daily.
Prevents Colon Cancer
The fenugreek has carcinogenic potential. The fenugreek has diosegenin steroid which is used to protect from colon cancer. The fenugreek has some polysaccharides like mucilage, pectin, and saponins binds toxins and protect colon membrane.
Miscellaneous benefits
The fenugreek seed contain soluble fiber galactomannan which protects against cardiovascular disease. The fenugreek helps in cure of throat problems. The fenugreek is rich in fiber, so it helps in constipation and diarrhoea. The fenugreek helps in cure of kidney stone. The fenugreek gives good result in fever and muscle arches. The fenugreek seeds used for extraction of essential oils which used as mouthwash, room freshner and headaches. The fenugreek oil is used to cure hair fall and makes them strong and shiny.
