Methi or Fenugreek Seeds and Leaves - Health Benefits, Uses for Hair and Skin, Recipes, and Side-Effects

Known in English as fenugreek, methi belongs to the plant family of Fabaceae and is a common ingredient in dishes of the Indian subcontinent. Both the leaves and seeds of the plant are used to make delicious and healthy recipes. The herb is often used for the treatment of many physical diseases as well as for getting gorgeous hair.

Methi seeds contain vitamins A, B6, and C. It also contains iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. The fenugreek seeds also contain dietary fiber and protein. About 100gms of methi seeds contain around 323 calories and zero fat.

While there may not be much scientific evidence for supporting the health benefits of methi, people have definitely used it successfully, especially the seeds, in treating various health conditions. The recommended dosage for medicinal purposes is 5 g/day of seeds. However, this may vary depending on the age, gender and requirements of the individual.

A few studies have found that methi seeds are quite helpful in lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics. It appears that this herb slows down the breakdown and absorption of sugars in the stomach and stimulates insulin production.

It may also help people struggling with high cholesterol. Fenugreek has been found to lower cholesterol and triglycerides and it may also help increase good cholesterol levels in the body. It may also offer cardiovascular health benefits by reducing hypertension as well. It is also useful in atherosclerosis, a heart condition that involves hardening of arteries.

Methi also helps in reducing inflammation. This makes it a useful medicinal herb for relieving joint pain. Fenugreek is often wrapped in a cloth and used as a poultice. Just warm it up and apply directly on the pain and swelling.

Its antioxidant properties and laxative nature makes it quite useful in preventing cancers, especially of the colon. It may also prevent other cancers such as breast cancer, leukemia, and liver cancer.

The herb is quite useful for treating digestive disorders. It relieves an upset stomach, constipation, heartburn and flatulence. It may also help people suffering from loss of appetite.

The herb is also useful for mouth ulcers and boils. Its leaves are also applied directly for relieving sores and boils. It is also used for chronic coughs and bronchitis. It may also be helpful for males in treating problems such as erectile dysfunction.

Methi leaves are also used for fever. It may also help in removing the bad taste in mouth that people often report after consuming medications or after recovering from fever.

Fenugreek is quite useful for your hair and skin as well. Methi seeds are usually soaked overnight and ground into a coarse paste in the morning. This is then applied on the hair, left for a few hours and then washed with a mild shampoo. Using this homemade methi hair pack helps in reducing dandruff, reducing scalp itchiness and controlling hair fall. It is also helpful in premature graying of hair.

Although methi seeds are more useful for the hair, you can also use a paste of methi leaves to get shiny and beautiful hair.

A paste of fenugreek leaves helps in reducing pimples and acne scars. A paste of the seeds is quite useful in reducing burn marks. Just apply directly on the scars and it will lighten your scars. Leaves of the plant mixed with lemon juice are useful for removing tan and reducing pigmentation as well.

• Methi or fenugreek belongs to the plant family, Fabaceae.
• Both the seeds and leaves of the plant are used for health and medicinal benefits.
• Methi can help cure all hair problems, including hair loss, dandruff, and premature graying.
• Some delicious methi recipes are methi paratha, aloo methi, dal methi and methi rice.

There are no side-effects of fenugreek if taken as a food. However, if you use it for medicinal purposes as a supplement, you may have an odor in the urine, similar to maple syrup. You may also have side-effects such as diarrhea, bloating or gas.

Since it reduces blood sugar levels, diabetics should keep a watch for signs of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.

Always consult your physician if you are taking any regular medications as methi may interact with these drugs and lead to possibly serious side-effects. Avoid using it for children as well.

Fenugreek was used to induce childbirth in pregnant women during ancient times. So, pregnant women should exercise caution while using it as a supplement.

Applying on the skin or hair may cause some irritation. This is perfectly normal. However, if it causes excessive irritation, wash it off immediately and avoid using it in the future.

Methi, especially the leaves, can be used to make delicious recipes. Since consuming it as a food is perfectly safe, you can enjoy all the health benefits of fenugreek by cooking some delicious dishes.

Methi Paratha is a very popular dish eaten in the Indian subcontinent. It is commonly eaten as breakfast and is quite filling. It is a flat bread made with whole wheat flour and fenugreek leaves, which is fried in vegetable oil and butter. Besan or gram flour may also be added to the flat bread to give a different taste and texture. Watch the video on the side and make your own methi paratha.

Another popular methi dish is Aloo Methi. The dish is made by frying potatoes and fenugreek leaves. People usually eat this with chapati or paratha. Methi is a delightful alternative to spinach. So, you can easily add these leaves instead of spinach and enjoy the variation in taste.

Dal methi is a popular Maharashtrian dish, which uses lentils and methi leaves. The Hindi word "dal" refers to lentils. The methi leaves and lentils are boiled along with some tomatoes and green chilies. Gram flour or besan is slowly added to the mixture. The ingredients are then fried in some oil. Check out the video on the side and make your own Dal Methi.

Other delicious recipes using fenugreek include Methi Rice and Methi Matar Malai Curry. While fresh methi is definitely a good choice for using in these dishes, you can also go for dried methi, also known as kasuri methi, to make these delicious fenugreek recipes.

So, now that you know everything about fenugreek, it is time to include this healthy food in your diet. You can also use the leaves and seeds for enhancing the beauty of your hair and skin. The herb can also be used as a supplement for treating disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and digestive disorders.

Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.