Fenugreek to reduce Blood Sugar Levels

 

 What is Fenugreek?

Fenugreek (also known as Greek Hay), is an herb that is commonly found growing in the Mediterranean region of the world. While the seeds and leaves are primarily used as a culinary spice, it is also used to treat a variety of health problems in Egypt, Greece, Italy, and South Asia.

What are the Benefits of Fenugreek?

Fenugreek has been used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, improve digestion, maintain a healthy metabolism, increase libido and male potency, cure skin problems (wounds, rashes and boils), treat sore throat, and cure acid reflux.

Fenugreek also has a long history of use for the treatment of reproductive disorders, to induce labor, to treat hormonal disorders, to help with breast enlargement, and to reduce menstrual pain.

Recent studies have shown that Fenugreek helps lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and may be an effective treatment for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. It is also being studied for its cardiovascular benefits.

 

How does it affect diabetes?

Fenugreek seeds (trigonella foenum graecum) are high in soluble fiber, which helps lower blood sugar by slowing down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. This suggests they may be effective in treating people with diabetes.

Of these, several clinical trials showed that fenugreek seeds can improve most metabolic symptoms associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in humans by lowering blood glucose levels and improving glucose tolerance.

In another controlled trial, incorporating 15 grams of powdered fenugreek seed into a meal eaten by people with type 2 diabetes reduced the rise in post-meal blood glucose, while a separate study found that taking 2.5 grams of fenugreek twice a day for three months lowered blood sugar levels in people with mild, but not severe, type 2 diabetes.


How to use Fenugreek?

• ·         Dry roast fenugreek seeds by placing them in a large skillet and heating on medium-high heat for one to two minutes, stirring frequently. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the roasted seeds to any meal.

• ·         Take 2 tablespoons of dried fenugreek leaves or seeds in 1 cup of water and boil for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink the resulting tea twice per day to help lower blood glucose levels.

• ·         Take 10 grams of fenugreek seeds.  Soak them in 250 ml water overnight. Crush them in the morning . Strain the mixture and collect the water. Drink it every day for 2 months.

• ·         Fenugreek seeds are very versatile. They can be eaten as seeds, brewed into a tea, made into flour and baked into bread, or pressed into oil. Eating seeds or using fenugreek flour is the most effective form of fenugreek for blood sugar control. An oral dose of 2-5g of fenugreek seeds can help blood glucose levels for diabetics.

  

Where can I buy it?

Fenugreek leaves (methi) and seeds can be found in most Asian food stores, while herbal supplements containing fenugreek seed powder and/or fenugreek seed extract in capsule form are available through most health food companies.

Caution

Before using fenugreek to treat your diabetes, consult your GP and diabetes healthcare team to ensure it is safe. As with other blood sugar-reducing herbs, there is the risk that fenugreek may cause your blood sugars to go too low (hypoglycemia) when taken alongside prescribed diabetes drugs. As a result, the dose of your anti-diabetic medication might need to be changed.