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Used to reduce blood glucose levels and an excellent remedy for reducing levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
Trigonella foenum-graecum · Methika
Methika.The healing seed of the Indian kitchen.
Native to India and southern Europe, fenugreek — Dipani, the one that increases appetite — has been cooked, eaten and prescribed for centuries. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia describes many therapeutic uses of Methika.
About the Herb
Methika — Trigonella foenum-graecum
Sanskrit: Methika · English: Fenugreek · Hindi: Methi · Family: Fabaceae
For centuries fenugreek has grown wild in India, the Mediterranean and North Africa, where it is mainly cultivated. It was used by the ancient Egyptians to combat fever and grown in classical times as cattle fodder. The name derives from the Latin "Greek hay", illustrating its classical use as fodder.
In India it is used medicinally and as a yellow dyestuff, and is planted as a soil renovator. In day-to-day life, its leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable dish — beneficial to augment the appetite and as an anti-flatulent.
The bright yellow, fragrant seeds are Vata and Kapha pacifying and can stimulate Pitta. Methika is bitter, light, unctuous and heating in property.
Botanical Profile
Ayurvedic pharmacodynamic properties
- Rasa (Taste)
- Katu — Pungent
- Guna (Quality)
- Laghu (light), Snigdha (oily)
- Virya (Potency)
- Ushna — Hot
- Vipaka (Post-digestive)
- Katu — Pungent
- Doshakarma
- Alleviates Vata & Kapha; aggravates Pitta
- Useful Parts
- Seed, leaves and Panchang
Morphology
An aromatic annual, 30–60 cm in height, erect, slightly branched with tapering roots. The leaves are alternate, trifoliate and lanceolate; leaflets are shortly stalked, blunt and oblong. Flowers are whitish, sessile and solitary in the leaf axils. The fruit pods are erect when young, then bend downward, with 10–20 seeds per pod.
The seeds are hard, yellowish brown and angular — some oblong, some rhombic, others virtually cubic, about 3 mm a side — with a deep furrow all but splitting them in two. They are available whole and dried, or as a dull yellow powder ground from the roasted seeds.
Chemical composition
A natural source of iron, silicon, sodium and thiamine, with mucilage known for soothing inflamed tissues. The seeds contain the alkaloids trigonelline, gentianine and carpine, along with fibre, 4-hydroxyisoleucine and fenugreekine — a component that may have hypoglycemic activity.
Medicinal Properties
Light, unctuous and heating.
Methika augments the appetite, relieves fever, alleviates swelling and reduces body fats, but vitiates Pitta. Its seeds and leaves are described as carminative, demulcent, expectorant, galactogogue, hypoglycaemic, laxative, restorative and a uterine tonic.
Aids Digestion
Purifies blood and helps flush out harmful toxins; helps dissolve excess mucus, leaving the digestive organs refreshed and clean.
Hair Care
A high source of protein with Lecithin, a natural emollient — useful in hair fall, thinning hair and dandruff.
Weight Management
Its fibre fills the stomach even in small amounts. Soaked seeds are traditionally chewed in the morning on an empty stomach.
Skin
An excellent beauty product — helps prevent wrinkles, blackheads, pimples, dryness and rashes.
Application in Ayurveda
Dipani, Bahupatrika, Gandhaphala.
Ayurvedic scriptures give Methika many synonyms: Dipani — increases appetite; Bahupatrika — has abundant leaves; Gandhaphala — has aromatic fruit.
Chaturbija — the four seeds
The seeds of four herbs grouped together are called Chaturbija: Methika, Candrashur (Lepidium sativum), Krishnajiraka (Carum bulbocastanum) and Yavani (Carum copticum). Its total effect is hot and it alleviates Vata dosha — specially recommended in low backache, dyspepsia, flatulence and abdominal pain.
Classical formulations
- Shunthyadi Paka
- Siddhamethika
- Methika Modaka
- Methika Paka
- Methika Seed Powder
Traditional home remedies
- I
Its Laddu preparation is widely used after delivery — helping indigestion, loss of appetite and arthritis during postpartum.
- II
Useful in a postpartum female to increase breast milk.
- III
In obstruction of urine, its seeds are taken along with jaggery or water.
- IV
A decoction of seeds can help alleviate retention of gas causing colic. Methika, Shunti and Jaggery with warm water can be taken for low back pain.
- V
A poultice of powdered seeds is applied on the affected part for relief from painful joints.
Precaution
Do not take fenugreek without consulting your doctor first if you are taking blood-thinning medicine, if you are hypertensive, or if you have haemorrhagic disorders.
Ayurveda Pharmacy
Methika, in two authentic forms.
Formulated and dispensed by Chakrapani Ayurveda — available at chakrapaniayurveda.com.
Spice · Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Methika Powder
Methika from Chakrapani Ayurveda's spice range. Fenugreek pacifies Vata and Kapha, is widely used in both cooking and in managing ailments, and is a component of Ayurvedic medicines such as Chandraprabha Vati.
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Capsules · Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Methika Capsule
Fenugreek in easy-to-take capsules. Best known for its hypoglycemic action, it pacifies Vata and Kapha and is traditionally taken for indigestion, constipation and acidity.
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About Chakrapani Ayurveda
25 years of excellence in the field of Ayurveda.
Chakrapani Ayurveda Clinic & Research Center, based in Jaipur, India, is a working Ayurvedic hospital, traditional pharmacy and international training institute. Patients from over sixty countries have consulted our Vaidyas for Panchakarma therapy, classical formulations and authentic Ayurvedic care.
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- Classical Formulations
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