Foenugraeci semen

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 01.06.2024

Dieser Artikel auf Deutsch

Synonym(s)

Cow horn clover seeds; fenugreek seed (engl.); Fenugreek seeds; Greek hayman; Horntail seeds; Trigonellae Semen

Definition
This section has been translated automatically.

Semen Foenugraeci, also known as fenugreek seeds, refers to dried and ripe seeds of Trigonellafoenum-graecum used for medicinal purposes.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: traditional-use: Internally for loss of appetite, externally for mild skin inflammations.

ESCOP monograph: Internal: supportive in diabetes mellitus, loss of appetite, low-fat diet, mild hypercholesterolemia; External: boils, ulcers, eczema.

Commission e-monograph: internal: loss of appetite; external: as a poultice for local inflammation.

Folk: externally: eczema, ulcers, internally: catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, stomach complaints, lactation stimulant during breastfeeding.

Ingredients
This section has been translated automatically.

Efficacy-determining ingredients of the fenugreek seed are 20 to 30 % mucilage (mannogalactan, legume mucilage); furthermore fatty oil (about 8 %), about 27 % proteins, yellow dye, diastase, about 0.5 % trigonellin, bitter substances and 0.01 % essential oils with the odour-giving sotolone (hydroxy-dimethylfuranone).

Field of application/use
This section has been translated automatically.

see also under definition

External: Fenugreek seeds are used for external application (poultices) for local inflammation, pain, chronic venous insufficiency and phlebologically induced edema. According to a study, the application of a fenugreek cream improves the elasticity , hydration and resistance of the skin to photoaging.

Internal: For internal use, the crushed in powdered form or in other galenic applications for loss of appetite; further as a dietary in diabetes and dyslipidemia.

The diosgenin contained in the drug shows antiprolferative and apoptotic abilities in virto.

Dosage
This section has been translated automatically.

s. Information of the finished preparations

For internal use: take the seeds with water; the usual daily dose is 1 to 6 g of seed per day.

For external use (in the form of poultices): 50 g of powdered drug in 1/4 L of water, boil for 5 minutes. Spread this gruel thickly on a linen cloth and apply on the lesional area. Renew the bandage 3-4 times a day.

Contraindication
This section has been translated automatically.

Allergy to any of the ingredients. There are no known contraindications. In rare cases (probably cross reactions in peanut allergy) urticaria/anaphylactic reactions have been reported.

Not in pregnancy and lactation in the absence of investigational data,

not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Literature
This section has been translated automatically.

  1. Abedinzade M et al.(2015) Efficacy of Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Extract in Reducing Metabolic and Inflammatory Alterations Associated With Menopause. Iran Red Crescent Med J 17:e26685.
  2. Aurich S et al (2017) Anaphylactic reaction after consumption of fenugreek seed. Allergo J Int 26:55-56
  3. Goyal S et al.(2016) Investigating Therapeutic Potential of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. as Our Defense Mechanism against Several Human Diseases. J Toxicol:1250387.
  4. Pundarikakshudu K et al.(2016) Anti-inflammatory activity of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn) seed petroleum ether extract. Indian J Pharmacol 48:441-444.
  5. Szentmihályi K et al. (2013) Mineral content of some herbs and plant extracts with anti-inflammatory effect used in gastrointestinal diseases. Orv Hetil 154:538-543.
  6. Verma N et al.(2016) A multicenter clinical study to determine the efficacy of a novel fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum) extract (Fenfuro™) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Food Nutr Res 60:32382.
  7. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/bockshornklee.php.
  8. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-trigonella-foenum-graecum-l-semen-revision-1_en.pdf
  9. Kiesewetter H (2016) Medicinal plants in dermatology - part 1: fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Derm 22: 430