Fenugreek - Medicinal use with a long tradition and proven effectiveness

Fenugreek – a medicinal use with a long tradition and proven effectiveness
Over the centuries, fenugreek has been attributed with many medicinal properties: it is said to be an aphrodisiac, promote hair growth, strengthen the immune system, and stimulate appetite. Not all of these effects are scientifically proven. However, there is solid evidence and scientifically verifiable mechanisms of action regarding its regulation of blood sugar and blood lipid levels.

Let's take a look at the biochemical composition of fenugreek: In addition to the protein content (30%) and a fat content of 10%, the high proportion of mucilage sugar (40%) and the contained steroidal saponins (3%) are particularly relevant.
Saponins are secondary plant compounds whose name is derived from the Latin word "sapo" (soap). The reason: these bitter substances foam up in liquid – an effect easily observed when cooking legumes. These particular sugars (mucus sugars) and saponins are crucial to the blood sugar and blood lipid-lowering effect.

Mucus sugar is a starch-like substance composed of branched carbohydrate chains. In various animal studies, mucus sugar did indeed show a blood sugar and cholesterol-lowering effect, presumably due to a reduced absorption rate in the intestine.
This also corresponds to the effect of guar, the ground nutrient tissue of the guar bean, which consists of approximately 90% of these branched carbohydrates. Accordingly, Guar Verlan® is the only herbal medicine approved for the adjunctive therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia.

Studies with alcoholic extracts that do not contain mucilage sugar show that the steroidal saponins mentioned above also contribute significantly to this positive effect.

Conclusion:
Fenugreek is therefore suitable at least for preventing blood sugar and blood lipid problems and is also recommended as an adjunct to the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, possible interactions with prescribed antidiabetic medications should be taken into account, which is why medical consultation is advisable.

Fenugreek, which has a bitter and spicy taste, can not only be used to prepare tasty dishes and add a special touch to your own cooking – it can also offer real health benefits.
And who knows – perhaps one day the aphrodisiac effect will also be proven in scientific studies (e.g. randomized double-blind studies).

Written by: Peter Warns

Sources:

• German Pharmacists' Journal Issue 30/2011
• Psychrembel online
• Pharmawiki.ch
• Carstens Foundation
• Dr. Weigl ( doktorweigl.de ) – Note: a real YouTube star as a doctor
• Zentrum-der-Gesundheit.de