We talk a lot about Ayurveda but what do we know exactly about this principle of life? Ayurveda is not only a healthy way of taking care of one's body but an art of living, traditions...which go back to the ancestral Indian practices. It allows to heal, at the same time, the body and the spirit, and takes into consideration the individual under all its angles that it is physical, psychological or emotional.
Ayurveda is also characterized as an ancestral medicine that relies on natural products and more particularly on plants to prevent, relieve and cure various ailments.
Among the different ayurvedic plants, we find fenugreek, a plant with multiple virtues.
What is fenugreek?
The fenugreek plant is native to India and the Middle East. It is also called trigonella or senegrain. Its leaves are very similar to those of the clover. At the time of the bloom, the fenugreek raises beautiful white flowers, slightly yellow. It is from these flowers that pods will be born from which we can later extract seeds. For that, the pods are put to dry then beaten in order to detach the seeds. These have a very characteristic smell which can remind the one of fennel. This plant is used both as a remedy and as a condiment to flavour dishes. If it has finally found its place in our daily life, it was also used as fodder for animals.
The composition of fenugreek
Because of its rich composition, fenugreek has many benefits for our health. It is in particular effective in 3 fields:
Facilitates digestion
The trigonella seed has a mucilaginous action; it protects the mucous membrane of the intestines and the stomach, but also relieves inflammations, ulcers and indigestion. The consumption of fenugreek facilitates a better absorption of the nutrients present in food, as well as their digestion. For people suffering from food problems, such as a lack of appetite, it increases the feeling of hunger and gives appetite to small eaters. Finally, in the event of constipation, fenugreek can accelerate the intestinal transit and thus have a laxative effect.
Helps stabilize blood sugar levels
Among its many active ingredients, fenugreek is composed of alkaloids and more precisely of trigonelline, which helps to control blood sugar. It thus optimizes the absorption of carbohydrates. It makes it possible to increase the quantity of insulin but also the effectiveness of this one when sugar is too high in blood.
Boosts the immune system
Fenugreek is also a good stimulant to boost the immune system. It helps the body to protect itself against infections and bacteria. Thus, it proves to be a real ally for fragile people who regularly suffer from winter ailments. In addition to its protection against the winter viruses, the seed of fenugrec has expectorant virtues which make it possible to look after more easily a cough or evils of throats.
How to use fenugreek?
To take full advantage of its virtues, it is recommended to prefer the consumption of fenugreek seeds or products obtained from its seeds. Fenugreek can be used in infusion, in capsules or in compresses for a cutaneous application. It is also used in cooking, it is a spice which is very much used in India to spice up meat or fish dishes.
It is recommended to carry out a cure over a short period of 1 to 2 months.
