Foenugraeci semen

Semen Foenugraeci, also called fenugreek seeds, are medicinally used dried and ripe seeds of Trigonellafoenum-graecum.

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

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

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

Commission E-monograph: Internally: loss of appetite; Externally: as a poultice for local inflammations.

Folk: externally: eczema, ulcers; internally: upper respiratory tract catarrh, stomach ailments, lactation stimulant during lactation.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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