Fenugreek seed tea recipe. Uses of fenugreek for depression, good appetite, libido and beauty

Medicinal plants have been used for medical purposes since ancient times and their beneficial properties have not been forgotten to this day. One of the most popular plants for preventive and medicinal purposes is fenugreek, and we will look at how to take it. After all, having numerous advantages, in some cases it is contraindicated for use due to the presence of certain contraindications.

What is fenugreek

Fenugreek is one of the representatives of the legume family. His homeland is Lebanon and Syria. More than 100 of its varieties are known.

Only two types are useful - fenugreek blue and hay, which are actively used for medical, culinary and cosmetic purposes. The plant contains coumarin, which has a unique aroma and makes the plant a popular seasoning for various dishes.

Fenugreek fruits are elongated, cylindrical beans that have a unique smell and contain many useful substances. The beans are harvested after they turn yellow.

Fruits used for medicinal purposes are dried and ground into powder. According to research, dried fenugreek is much more effective than fresh fenugreek. It is used to make compresses, tinctures, poultices, decoctions, teas, and ointments.

The benefits of fenugreek are associated with the presence of numerous beneficial substances in it: protein, coumarin, dietary fiber, lecithin, mucous substances, essential oils, phosphorus.

The healing properties of fenugreek were widely used for preventive and therapeutic purposes hundreds of years ago. The plant has contraindications, which must be taken into account when treating certain diseases.

Fenugreek: beneficial properties

Digestive disorder;
Radiculitis and arthritis;
Various colds and infectious diseases;
Dysentery;
Diseases of the nervous system;
Allergic reactions.

Fenugreek is used both externally and internally. For example, for various skin diseases (inflammation of the nails, purulent wounds or cellulite), it is used externally in the form of compresses and poultices.

Fenugreek is also effective for stomach disorders. We'll look at how to brew it below.

How to brew fenugreek correctly

Fenugreek tea is a first-class preventive remedy for various infectious and colds. It contains vitamins A, which, together with choline, can become a source of vigor.

Fenugreek tea is drunk twice a day for a month.

To brew tea, take two small spoons of fenugreek, pour them into a container, pour 200 ml of boiling water and put on fire.
After waiting for it to boil, remove the container from the heat and let the tea brew for 2-3 hours.

Tea is especially useful for disorders of the digestive system and for increasing the amount of milk produced during lactation.

Before drinking fenugreek tea, consult your doctor. You should not drink tea in large quantities, as its overdose provokes headaches and gastrointestinal disorders.

The benefits of fenugreek for women's health have long been known. Having a unique composition, it performs truly miracles:

Fenugreek normalizes hormonal levels.
Reduces the amount of testosterone.
Normalizes estrogen levels.
Fenugreek allows you to get rid of problems with a woman’s reproductive function and protect her from diseases of the endocrine system.
Fenugreek is indispensable for getting rid of the symptoms of various colds, strengthening the immune system, and relieving inflammation.
Doctors recommend fenugreek to lower blood glucose levels, which in turn protects against diabetes.
Women will appreciate the cosmetic properties of the plant. Fenugreek can improve the condition of hair and skin, relieve acne, dandruff, and dry skin.

By lowering cholesterol levels, fenugreek is an effective preventative against heart disease. It is also used to normalize blood pressure.

Fenugreek is indispensable for women who are overweight. The beneficial substances it contains can normalize the metabolic process and burn fat in problem areas of the body. It is effective for cellulite.

Benefits of fenugreek during lactation

Many nursing mothers complain of a lack of milk when breastfeeding. Taking fenugreek in the form of tea can easily get rid of this problem.

Soak the seeds in water for several hours, then rinse 2 teaspoons of fenugreek, pour into a container and pour a glass of water, put on fire.
Cook it for about 7 minutes.

How to take tea? Drink it no more than 2-3 times a day.

Remember, you should not take fenugreek in large quantities for lactation.

If the dosage is not observed, the plant can cause unpleasant symptoms:

The appearance of gases;
Bloating;
The appearance of an unpleasant skin odor;
Allergies.

If you decide to use fenugreek during lactation, consult your doctor. Taking it on your own is not advisable.

Contraindications to the use of fenugreek

Fenugreek also has contraindications that should be taken into account.

The plant is not recommended for pregnant women, as it can cause miscarriage.
Increased blood clotting.
Bronchial asthma.
Tendency to food allergies.
It is also not recommended to use it if there is a high level of prolactin and estrogen in the blood.

Fenugreek is a useful plant that can significantly improve your health. But its reception should be carried out according to the recommendations. This is the only way to normalize health, avoiding the negative consequences that arise from improper use.

Fenugreek seeds are used to obtain its most valuable oil. Being a source of coumarins, fatty acids and other useful compounds, it is highly valued in India, China, and Asian countries. In our country, the benefits of fenugreek have been used not so long ago.

Area

The homeland of fenugreek is the countries of the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. In its wild form, the plant grows in the northern part of the Alps, as well as in Central Asia.
Fenugreek is cultivated:

countries of the Eastern part of the European continent;
Asian countries;
Africa;
North America.

In our country, fenugreek is grown in the southern part of Transcaucasia.

What does it look like

The plant belongs to the legume family, which determines its morphological characteristics.

Roots. The main central root penetrates quite deeply into the soil to ensure that the above-ground part is supplied with sufficient moisture. Lateral roots increase the area of its absorption.
Stem. Cylindrical in shape, light green in color. The top is branched. The total height of the stem is 60 cm.
Leaves. Trisyllabic. Each leaf has an oblong-ovate shape. The edge is finely toothed. Leaf length – up to 2 cm, petiole attachment.
Flowers. Appear from May to June. Small white-yellow butterfly flowers are located one or two in the axils of the leaves. Interestingly, the base of each flower is purple.
Fruit. Long, flat, oblong beans (up to 10 cm) with an extended spout, each containing 10 to 20 seeds, square or rectangular in shape. The seeds are light yellow or brown in color and have a nutty aroma.

The whole plant emits a characteristic odor characteristic of coumarins. The aerial parts smell like celery; the seeds have a mushroom or nutty aroma.

Compound

The chemical composition of fenugreek seeds is of greatest importance, since they are used as medicinal plant raw materials. The main part of the bioactive chemical complex of fenugreek is represented by phytosterols:

diosgenin;
yamogenin;
gitogenin;
tigogenin;

They provide the hormone-like effect of the plant, as well as its ability to regulate the functioning of the food glands.

Fenugreek also contains other substances that are active in terms of their effects on the human body:

alkaloids (trigonelline);
steroid saponins;
flavonoids (dioscin, jamoscin, rutin);
mucus;
bitterness;
essential oil;
fatty oil;
protein compounds;
tannin;
vitamins (PP, C, B1, B2);
minerals (iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, arsenic).

Beneficial properties of fenugreek

Fenugreek is actively used in folk medicine. Dry seeds of the plant serve as the basis for the manufacture of preparations for internal (infusions and decoctions), as well as external use (ointments, powder). The rich chemical composition determines the versatile effects of the plant on the body, as well as an extensive list of therapeutic properties.

Effect on the heart and blood vessels. Under the influence of the plant, there is an improvement in the functioning of the heart muscle, normalization of pressure, improvement of peripheral blood flow, and normalization of the biochemical composition of the blood. Fenugreek seeds contain a huge amount of organic fatty acids that have hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effects. Therefore, indications for use of the plant include lowering sugar levels in diabetes, initial forms of atherosclerosis, hypotension, and initial forms of hypertension.
Effect on the nervous system. The plant has a stimulating effect. In Rome, it was used before gladiatorial fights to improve concentration and increase endurance of fighters. The antidepressant effect of the seeds is also noted. Indications for use include chronic fatigue, nervous exhaustion, periods of increased mental and physical stress on the body.
Effect on the reproductive system. Concentrated fenugreek preparations stimulate myometrial contractions and cause the onset of menstruation. The plant relieves gynecological inflammation and helps eliminate pain. Helba milk decoctions are taken for lactation. With the use of seeds, an increase in both female and male libido, normalization of testicular and ovarian function, and an increase in the likelihood of conceiving a child are noted.
Healing effect. Fenugreek contains a lot of mucilage, pectin, gum, and antibacterial substances. It can be used to accelerate the healing of weeping and festering wounds, carbuncles, ulcers, burns, and frostbite. When taking the seeds internally, the plant has a regenerating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
Effect on the respiratory organs. Fenugreek seeds help cure cough. At the same time, the plant alleviates the symptoms of dry cough, eliminates sore throat, and also thins and removes thick mucus. Anti-inflammatory properties make it possible to use it in complex therapy of tuberculosis, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Strong extracts from fenugreek are used to rinse the throat and mouth for inflammatory diseases and infections.
Effect on the digestive system. Fenugreek stimulates the secretion of gastric and pancreatic juice and bile. Improves appetite, helps digest food faster and more fully. The plant normalizes metabolism, accelerates the onset of a feeling of satiety, and is therefore used for weight loss.

Other plant capabilities

Fenugreek seeds can be used to maintain beauty, slimness, and youth.

The medicinal properties of fenugreek are manifested when it is used in any form. Enriching your diet with seeds will gently stimulate digestion, and water extracts will make you feel a surge of strength and vitality.

How to use Shambhala

To heal and strengthen the body, the seeds, as well as the apical leaves of fenugreek, are used. Preparing medicines at home will not take much time if you use the following recipes.

Decoction

Peculiarities. Suitable as an anti-cold, tonic and anti-allergic remedy, stimulates appetite, restores vitality.

Preparation and use

To prepare a decoction of fenugreek, add a tablespoon of seeds to a cup of cold water (250 ml).
The mixture is heated to a boil, simmered over low heat for 45 minutes.
Strain and consume the entire volume at a time, half an hour before lunch.

Egyptian tea

Peculiarities. Drink to improve digestion, increase libido, and also as a tonic. In Egypt, this is a familiar drink for the population, but our citizens should not abuse it.

Preparation and use

Roasted seeds are used to prepare the drink. In ready-to-eat form, they can be purchased in oriental and tea shops.
One or two teaspoons of seeds are poured into a glass of boiling water.
Place on the fire and maintain a low simmer for eight minutes.
Strain, cool slightly, add sugar, honey, ginger.
Drink no more than two cups in the morning.

Seed paste

Peculiarities. Helps cope with baldness, treats wounds, ulcers, carbuncles and other abscesses. Can be used as a nourishing and exfoliating mask.

Preparation and use

Two tablespoons of crushed seeds are poured with boiling water overnight.
The water should cover the seeds well.
For cosmetic purposes, the paste obtained in the morning is applied to the scalp or face for half an hour.
To treat wounds, the paste is applied under a bandage to the injured area of skin, and after two hours it is washed off with clean water. Repeat the procedure twice or three times a day.

Infusion of leaves

Peculiarities. Shambhala leaves have an antimicrobial, astringent, and softening effect. They are used to strengthen hair and also to cleanse the skin.

Preparation and use

Two tablespoons of dried leaves are poured with half a liter of boiling water.
Fenugreek leaves should be brewed for an hour.
Rinse your hair with the infusion after washing or use it to wash your face.

Medicines on sale

Helba dosage forms prepared in industrial conditions have enhanced therapeutic properties. Making fenugreek tincture yourself is quite difficult, because high-quality extraction of active substances can only be achieved using different extractants. An excellent alternative to tincture is fenugreek extract, which absorbs all the beneficial qualities of the seeds.

The extract is available in liquid and tablet form. The liquid form is used in cosmetology. Tablets are taken three times a day, two pieces at a time, for all indications inherent in this plant.

Fenugreek oil is also produced. The high concentration of volatile components causes its specific odor. The use of fenugreek oil is indicated:

to enrich the composition of cosmetics;
to improve hair condition;
in combination with massage oil for body skin care;
with flaxseed oil – for breast enlargement.

Interestingly, fenugreek oil has analgesic and anti-edematous properties, and therefore can be used in the complex treatment of joint diseases.

Use in cooking

Fenugreek seeds have an interesting taste and aroma, and therefore are used to enrich the taste of dishes from:

meat;
fish;
mushrooms;
vegetables

The use of fenugreek is especially popular in the cooking of eastern countries. There, not a single main dish is complete without helba. But due to its specific taste, fenugreek is added along with other seasonings in very small quantities. The seeds are often included in specific national desserts.

Helba in the form of dried seeds can be stored for a year. The spice, ground into powder, retains its taste and medicinal qualities for three months, so it is better to grind the seeds immediately before use.

Is helba always useful?

Despite all the beneficial properties of shamballa seeds, there are restrictions for their use.

For men. Helba is used to increase potency and physical endurance, but due to its estrogen-like effect, men should use the product for a short time - one to two weeks.
For pregnant. Fenugreek has a tonic effect on the uterine muscles, so its use is prohibited in the early and middle stages of pregnancy. Fenugreek can be used a few days before giving birth to improve lactation and facilitate the birth process. However, the use of any plants must be agreed with your doctor.
For women. Fenugreek contraindications include gynecological disorders when additional synthesis of estrogen and prolactin is undesirable (tumors, cysts). You should not use fenugreek if you have uterine bleeding.

According to reviews, the only unpleasant side effect of taking fenugreek is a change in body odor. This is provoked by the antitoxic effect of helba, as a result of which the secretion of sweat increases and its composition changes. If you follow the rules of personal hygiene, an unpleasant odor will not arise.

Harm from fenugreek is extremely rare, and its moderate use in the diet will only bring benefits and longevity to a person. In order for the spice to have only a beneficial effect, it is important to observe the correct dosages when adding to food, as well as when making medicines.

Yes, this plant is called that way. The roots of the name “philosophical clover” go back to antiquity. Greece is a country of philosophers, and many learned men of Ancient Greece chewed the seeds of this plant. The Latin designation foenum-graecum translates as “Greek hay.”

Other names for fenugreek

Fenugreek
Greek fenugreek
Greek goat shamrock
Fenugreek
Greek lentils
Helba
Fenugreek
Chaman

Fenugreek, or fenugreek, is also mentioned in the writings of Hippocrates and in the manuscripts of his followers. The famous healer Paracelsus also writes about fenugreek. The German botanist Hieronymus Bock prescribed fenugreek seeds for both internal and external use.

Fenugreek is an annual plant that belongs to the legume family. Growing regions: Türkiye, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Caucasus, Eastern Europe.

Fenugreek tea, or helba, is especially popular in Egypt as a refreshing drink in hot weather. There are also more and more fans of this tea in Russia. After all, this drink is not only refreshing, it is not only tasty and healthy. Egyptian “yellow tea” also has warming and anti-inflammatory properties. Fenugreek has a very strong expectorant property and is superior in this regard to most modern medications. This tea is also indicated for women's ailments.

How to make fenugreek tea

In order to prepare fenugreek tea, the seeds must be thoroughly washed with water. You can brew fenugreek in the usual way - simply pour boiling water over it. But it’s still better to cook it. When fenugreek is boiled for five to seven minutes, the drink will be much more healthy and tasty. Fenugreek tea can help restore strength, cure a cold, relax after a busy day, and even provide comfort.

Why is fenugreek so popular?

This plant is popular due to its wide range of uses. In ancient Egypt, fenugreek was used to ease childbirth and enhance lactation. In China, it is used as a sedative for abdominal pain. The ideal of female beauty in the East is rounded shapes, and therefore all Arab women eat fenugreek seeds, pre-roasted. This gives them the required roundness. Fenugreek promotes hair growth and maintenance. And according to recent scientific research, fenugreek is indicated for patients with diabetes as a means of lowering blood sugar levels.

Fenugreek has diuretic, restorative and hypotensive properties. Fenugreek lowers blood sugar, cholesterol, inhibits the growth of bacteria and stimulates the heart. This plant is capable of resolving hard and mucous tumors. Fenugreek is used for burns and wounds. Fenugreek decoction is used for ulcers present in the intestines. Fenugreek is used for difficult labor and hardening of the uterus.
Fenugreek is a good remedy that is used to increase appetite. People suffering from tuberculosis who use fenugreek preparations not only do not lose weight, but, on the contrary, gain kilograms. Fenugreek normalizes the nervous system and improves body tone. Fenugreek has a restorative effect after severe operations, chronic diseases in the respiratory organs and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Fenugreek infusion is used externally as a hot compress to treat skin conditions such as boils and carbuncles. Fenugreek is most often used internally as a general tonic. Fenugreek is a remedy that stimulates intestinal motility. Fenugreek is used in the treatment of diabetes.

Traditional medicine often uses fenugreek seeds. They contain mucus, thanks to which they have an enveloping effect on the body. If the body does not have enough vitamin PP, then powder from crushed seeds, which is taken 1 teaspoon with 50 ml of red wine before meals three times a day, will help replenish its amount.
***
A decoction of the seeds helps with chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the small intestine and stomach. The decoction is easy and quick to prepare. To prepare it, you need to take 1 tablespoon of crushed plant seeds and pour 200 ml of boiling water over them, and place in a water bath for 15 minutes. After straining the broth, it must be brought to boiling water to its original volume. Take 70 ml of decoction before meals.
***
Fenugreek tea. To prepare it, you need to take 2 tablespoons of chopped fenugreek and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Place on the fire until it boils. We insist for 3 hours. Take tea for colds.
***
Fenugreek compress for rheumatism. Take 1 tablespoon of crushed seeds and pour a glass of boiling water, put on the fire to cook until you get a paste. The prepared hot paste should be spread on a cloth and applied to the sore spot. Make this compress three times a day. Such compresses are used for purulent wounds and leg ulcers.

***
For hundreds of years in Asian countries, this plant has been considered a women's medicine. It helps a woman recover after childbirth in the first months, so they begin to take it in the last months of pregnancy. It is a prolactin stimulator, so consuming fenugreek increases milk production in nursing mothers several times. It also increases breast size. Due to its ability to lower glucose and bad cholesterol levels, it has a good positive effect in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. Although women with hyperestrogenism will not be able to take it, since it is a phytoestrogen.

It has been experimentally proven that when using fenugreek seeds, the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood decreases and normalizes, and most importantly, the level remains stable. Blood pressure also decreases. The preventive effect of the plant is observed for heart and vascular diseases, as well as for the prevention of breast and intestinal cancer. Fenugreek seeds also treat baldness, skin diseases, tuberculosis, colds, coughs, stomach, spleen, weight loss, etc.

*** Mother often added crushed seeds to the food she cooked, saying that these seeds would make everyone’s stomachs and nails digestible. And so it was. And my father, whenever he felt weak in his old age, always made himself tea from fenugreek. He read somewhere that in Chinese medicine this plant was used to enhance all the strength of the body, including male strength. That’s when I started giving my wife fenugreek tea. After two weeks, she began to recover and her strength increased.

Pour 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seed powder into 0.5 liters of cold water, leave for three hours, then quickly bring to a boil and immediately strain. Drink a quarter glass warm three to four times a day. To enhance the effect, you can add a little honey to the tea.

Tea is good not only because it adds strength, it also has a beneficial effect on digestion. In order to enhance intestinal motility, you can swallow half a teaspoon of powder two or three times a day with warm water. I have tested this effect of seeds on myself more than once. But there is one secret in handling this medicinal plant: it has no side effects, but in order for it to have the best effect on the body, it cannot be used in large doses. Less is better here than more.

***
Grind a handful of fenugreek seeds not very finely, pour in a little water and boil this paste for ten minutes over low heat. When it has cooled to a pleasant temperature, apply an even layer on a piece of cloth and tie it to the sore spot. This is how in the old days they treated not only purulent wounds; fistulas, but also eczema.

***
Infusion.
Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp. seeds of the fenugreek plant and leave for 20 minutes, then filter. Take throughout the day without exceeding this dose.

Infusion for external use.
Pour 1 glass of water into 1 tbsp. l. Fenugreek seeds crushed into powder and boil for 10 minutes over low heat until a paste is obtained. Then spread the pulp in an even layer on a cloth and apply to the sore spot.

Powder for exhaustion.
Take 2 grams of fenugreek seed powder with a little boiled water three times a day.

Tourists who have visited Egypt know about the love of the indigenous people for “helba” - Egyptian tea. It promotes thermoregulation of the body in heat and cold, and also has various healing effects. Lemon, sugar, honey, and milk are added to the tea that is brewed and boiled for 5 minutes to taste.

When combined with valerian, fenugreek serves as a good nerve tonic.

Sprouted seeds are used as a medicinal food product for indigestion, decreased liver function and weak sperm.

As a tonic, you can take one tablespoon of the powder daily by heating it in a cup of milk.

Respiratory disease.
Shambhala is perhaps one of the best home remedies for colds and lung diseases. Recommended 2 tsp. Boil seeds in 200 g of water for 10-15 minutes. over low heat. Take 3-4 times a day with honey. Milk decoction is very helpful for dry cough. For a sore throat, use a strong infusion to gargle: 2 tbsp. Boil shamballa seeds for 30 minutes. in 1 liter of water over low heat.
- Women Health.
Shambhala seeds contain diosgenin, similar to the female sex hormone estrogen. In large quantities, Shambhala acts as a stimulant, promoting the onset of menstruation.
It causes the flow of breast milk. If you are deficient in milk, drink 3-4 glasses of shamballa seed infusion per day (2 tsp seeds per glass of boiling water). Milk decoction is even more effective.
Douching with a strong infusion (1-2 tablespoons per glass of boiling water) is successfully used in the treatment of leucorrhoea.
- Cholesterol control.
Shambhala reduces cholesterol in the blood. Drink an infusion of shamballa, add it to your food, and you will do your heart a good service by preventing the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels, and therefore, you will be able to avoid serious illnesses.
- Skin cleansing.
A paste made from ground seeds is successfully used for warts, ulcers and difficult-to-heal wounds.
- Hair treatment.
A paste of ground shamballa seeds applied to the scalp promotes hair growth. Also eat sprouted shamballa seeds to enhance the effect.
- Odor from the mouth or body.
Due to the greater accumulation of toxins in the body, the body develops an unpleasant odor. If you drink Shambhala tea, the smell that confuses you will miraculously be replaced by the pleasant aroma of Shambhala.
- Diabetes.
2 tsp Take crushed seeds daily with milk. Another way: soak the same amount of seeds in water and leave overnight. In the morning, drink the resulting infusion.
- Anemia.
Shambhala seeds are rich in iron. Take 1-2 tsp. with milk and honey. In this combination, iron is well absorbed and its level in the blood increases.
- Impotence.
As a general strengthening and tonic, 1 tbsp. crushed seeds are taken daily in a cup of hot milk. Sprouted shambhala grains are beneficial.
- Sinusitis.
For inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, Shambhala seeds are very effective. 1 tsp Boil seeds in 250 ml of water until half the volume remains. Drink 3-4 cups of decoction per day.
- Powdered shamballa seeds can be taken as a tonic for osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- A decoction or infusion of Shambhala seeds is very healing: it helps with enlarged liver and spleen, gout, diabetes and dysentery. In the latter case, you should drink an infusion of lightly roasted seeds.

Contraindications: Fenugreek should not be taken during pregnancy or for vaginal bleeding. It is necessary to observe the dosage of using fenugreek preparations.

There is a lot more about fenugreek here.

If you have been to Egypt, you have probably heard and even tasted the so-called yellow Egyptian tea, which is incredibly popular there and is a real local attraction. It is not only very pleasant and aromatic, but also surprisingly healthy, which was known in ancient times. Even in the works of Chinese healers, Hippocrates, and Avicenna, a detailed description was given of the extraordinary properties of a plant called “fenugreek.” Once you learn more about it, you will definitely want to experience its magical effect. It is from its seeds that yellow tea is prepared, and not only.

General description of the plant

There are many different names for fenugreek in the world - Greek hay, shamballa, cocked hat, abish, chaman, fenugreek, camel grass, hilba - in Egypt, methi - in India, and if officially, in Latin, then “Trigonella foenum-graecum”.

Lebanon and Syria are considered the plant's homeland, although it is currently grown in Southern Europe, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, Tunisia; there are also huge plantations in India, from which more than 20 thousand tons of fenugreek are harvested every year.

This is an annual plant of the Legume family, subfamily Papyraceae, which grows well in clay soil in full sun. There are more than 130 species of fenugreek in nature, but it is usually a bush up to 60 cm high with small yellowish-white flowers and clover-shaped leaves about 2 cm long. Narrow beans (seeds) up to 10 cm long develop from the flowers, which are of greatest interest as base for tea and spice, which is part of such favorite spices as hops-suneli, curry, adjika.

Not only the seeds, which are brewed as tea or added to food as a spice, are used for food, but also the tender stems and leaves. Fenugreek has a pleasant, slightly bitter taste, and the aroma is very unusual, unparalleled, but slightly reminiscent of nuts, vanilla and chocolate.

Composition of fenugreek

The chemical composition of this amazing plant is so rich that after reading it you immediately want to brew tea and improve your health, because all the beneficial substances are almost completely preserved when preparing the drink:

Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B9, C, as well as nicotinic acid (vitamin PP) and enzymes,
Minerals: iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc,
Bitter and mucous (up to 30%) substances,
Coumarin, rutin, tannins,
Phytosterols and steroid saponins,
Flavonoids,
Proteins – up to 25%,
Essential amino acids
Essential oils – up to 0.3%,
Fatty oil – about 5-8%,
Nitrogenous substances
Starch.

At the same time, fenugreek seeds are quite high in calories - 323 kcal per 100 grams.

In addition, in 100 gr. seeds contain:

Fats – 6.4 g.,
Proteins – 23.0 g.,
Carbohydrates – 58.4 g.,
Fiber – 10.0 g.

Beneficial properties of fenugreek

It is thanks to such a wide range of therapeutic and healing effects on the human body that fenugreek has been known for many centuries and is used on almost all continents:

A tonic, restorative, restorative remedy, which is often used after serious illnesses, operations, heavy physical exertion, anorexia, and in general in all cases when a weakened body needs to be well nourished with vitamins and minerals.
Since colds are a frequent guest in our harsh winters, you should know that fenugreek has remarkable diaphoretic, antipyretic, expectorant and phlegm-thinning properties.
Also, all over the world, Shambhala is known as an excellent remedy for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: it will improve appetite and soothe the gastric mucosa due to its enveloping properties, and normalize intestinal motility, at the same time ridding the body of accumulated toxins and wastes.
Fenugreek will also help diabetics with hypertension: the plant reduces glucose and bad cholesterol levels, stimulates insulin secretion, while reducing resistance to it, and also normalizes protein metabolism and high blood pressure.
Being a plant hormone, this natural healer enhances the female body’s production of prolactin and estrogen, and also helps with polycystic ovary syndrome and breast cancer. And nursing mothers, especially in the East, drink yellow tea to stimulate lactation and quickly restore the body after childbirth.
Another valuable quality of fenugreek is its beneficial effect on the circulatory and cardiovascular systems: trace elements and antioxidants in the plant cleanse blood vessels, strengthen their walls, increase hemoglobin and normalize hematopoiesis.
In many countries, Shambhala is known as a strong aphrodisiac - men maintain their potency at a high level, and women easily endure menopause, remaining feminine and attractive for a long time.
Severe forms of arthritis or polyarthritis are also indications for taking yellow tea.
Neurasthenia? And here Hilba comes to the rescue.
Fenugreek seeds, stems and leaves are used not only internally, but also externally - for carbuncles, boils, eczema, purulent wounds, felon and other skin diseases.
But that’s not all: fenugreek is a wonderful remedy for hair loss and even baldness, and it helps both men and women.
Finally, if you are overcome by moths, lice or worms, this is where an extraordinary spice will come to the rescue.

Contraindications for taking fenugreek

Those who have elevated female hormones estrogen and progesterone should not take medications and tea based on fenugreek.
Drinking during pregnancy can cause premature birth due to the hormone-like and tonic properties of the plant, so it is better to drink yellow tea shortly before giving birth.
There is a risk of hormonal imbalance in thyroid diseases,
Possible increased vaginal bleeding
Allergy sufferers, diabetics and asthmatics should take fenugreek with caution.
With daily consumption of more than 100 grams. The drug may cause indigestion (or even diarrhea).

Fenugreek tea

After you learned about the extraordinary healing properties of fenugreek, you probably wanted to try yellow tea. Therefore, we are happy to share the recipe for its preparation and the characteristics of tea drinking.

Although between you and me, yellow tea is not really tea, because... it is not brewed, but boiled. To do this, we need fenugreek seeds, preferably lightly fried and ground, and boiling water.

Pour 1 tsp. seeds 200-250 ml of boiling water and cook over low heat for 7-10 minutes, after which the drink can be poured into cups. If you brew whole seeds, you should keep the pot on the fire a little longer - 15-20 minutes.

This aromatic drink, reminiscent of maple syrup, is recommended to be drunk slowly, slightly cooled, with a spoon of honey. Lemon and a pinch of ginger perfectly highlight its taste. And the brewed seeds are quite edible, so bon appetit!

Infusing fenugreek seeds with milk is also common.

By the way, the Egyptians themselves drink helba with dates for anemia and to cleanse the kidneys.

If you plan to be treated with yellow tea, then it is advisable to infuse the prepared decoction for 12 hours.

Fenugreek in the world

Europe: Fenugreek tea is brewed by tourists for better absorption of unusual foods, and European women use this plant for PMS. In France, blue fenugreek is a well-known analgesic and diuretic that is used for swelling and rheumatism.

Arab countries: in Egypt, Syria, and Libya, eastern women eat hilba seeds to maintain rounded hips and breasts, and men drink tea for stamina and increased libido.

China: Here, fenugreek has long been successfully treated for abdominal pain; in addition, it has recently become known that this extraordinary plant lowers blood sugar, and is therefore recommended for diabetics.

Switzerland: Dry crushed blue fenugreek herb is added to the famous Swiss Ziger cheese. But that’s not all - in the Southern Alps and Tyrol the plant is added to rye bread and called Brotklee, or “bread clover”.

Egypt, Ethiopia: and in these countries fenugreek is added to bread, which is called khulba and abish.

Greece: In the country of gourmets, they also know the value of “Greek hay” beans, consuming raw or boiled seeds with honey.

USA: Even the States have embraced fenugreek, adding the spice to appetizers, savory sauces and sandwich condiments.

Balkans: In the Middle East and the Balkans, fenugreek is highly respected as a remedy for gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and is also used to ease childbirth.

It’s not for nothing that this unique plant and yellow tea from it are becoming increasingly popular all over the world - it’s our turn to enjoy its rich taste and experience the healing properties of fenugreek.