Fenugreek
FENUGREEK | ALHOLVA
Fenugreek is the funky, maple-scented little seed that’s been flavoring food, stimulating milk flow, balancing blood sugar, and stoking digestive fire for millennia. This isn’t just a spice in your curry, it’s an ancestral remedy that shows up in the medicine cabinets of cultures from India to Egypt to Greece, and it’s one of the oldest recorded medicinal herbs in human history.
Fenugreek’s use dates back to at least 4,000 BCE in the Middle East and North Africa, where it was cultivated by the Ancient Egyptians not only as a food and medicine but as part of sacred rituals. It was found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, used in embalming oils, and brewed into digestive infusions. The Greeks and Romans later picked it up, praising it as a remedy for sore throats, fevers, wounds, and low libido. The name foenum-graecum literally means “Greek hay,” because of its strong scent and its use as both animal feed and folk medicine.
In Ayurvedic medicine, fenugreek (called methi) is a deeply nourishing herb used to balance vata and kapha, build strength, and increase digestive and reproductive fire (agni). It’s especially revered in postpartum care, where it’s given to new mothers to rebuild tissue, stimulate lactation, and support hormonal recovery. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s considered warming and yang-tonifying, often used for kidney deficiency, cold in the womb, or abdominal pain.
In North Africa, fenugreek is a staple in spice blends like berbere and hilbeh. In Ethiopian kitchens, it shows up in the iconic niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter). In the Middle East, it’s mixed with honey and used for labor recovery. And across South Asia, it’s found in everything from pickles to digestive teas to hair oils.
What’s remarkable about fenugreek is that it’s medicine from seed to sprout. The seeds are the most commonly used- they’re bitter, warming, and packed with saponins, alkaloids, and phytoestrogens. The leaves (fresh or dried) are also highly medicinal- used as cooling greens, rich in iron and vitamins. And modern science has caught up, fenugreek has been shown to support healthy blood sugar, increase milk production, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and even support testosterone and libido in men.
Fenugreek isn’t just for spice blends and lactation teas. It’s a cross-cultural healer, a nutrient-rich ally, and a powerful seed of regeneration that knows exactly how to meet the body where it’s worn down, depleted, or out of sync. It’s food, it’s medicine, it’s kitchen magic, and it’s been doing the work for thousands of years.
Medicinal Uses of Fenugreek
Supports Digestive Health
Stimulates appetite and digestion
Relieves indigestion, bloating, flatulence, and sluggish elimination
Traditionally used to soothe gastritis and ulcers with its mucilaginous properties
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Helps lower fasting blood glucose and post-meal spikes
Improves insulin sensitivity, making it a supportive herb for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Lowers Cholesterol and Supports Heart Health
Reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides
May help support healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular circulation
Stimulates Lactation (Galactagogue)
Commonly used to increase breast milk supply in nursing mothers
Often combined with fennel or blessed thistle in postpartum formulas
Supports Menstrual and Reproductive Health
Eases menstrual cramps and irregular cycles
Traditionally used to support uterine tone and clear stagnation
Rich in phytoestrogens, which may help balance hormonal shifts during PMS or menopause
Boosts Libido and Testosterone
Shown in some studies to support male libido, stamina, and healthy testosterone levels
Used in both male and female tonic formulas for sexual vitality
Promotes Postpartum Recovery
Strengthens and rebuilds tissues after childbirth
Supports hormone rebalance, digestion, and milk production
Supports Weight Management and Appetite Control
Provides a sense of satiety and reduces excessive hunger
May help reduce overeating and support blood sugar stability
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects
Reduces systemic inflammation and protects against oxidative stress
Helpful in joint pain, arthritis, and chronic inflammatory conditions
Improves Hair and Skin Health
Applied externally in oils or masks to reduce dandruff, strengthen hair, and soothe inflammation
Used in facial masks for acne and skin detox
Supports Respiratory Health
Traditionally used as an expectorant to break up phlegm and relieve coughs
Especially useful in moistening dry lung conditions or soothing bronchial inflammation
Enhances Iron Absorption and Nutrient Density
Naturally rich in iron, magnesium, and B vitamins
Supports recovery from anemia and chronic fatigue
Common Forms of Use
Seed tea or decoction: For digestion, lactation, or blood sugar support
Powder or capsules: Convenient for metabolic and reproductive support
Tincture: Concentrated, quick-absorbing extract
Culinary use: In spice blends like curry powder or hilbeh, or soaked in warm water before meals
Topical paste or oil: For hair growth, joint pain, or skin healing