Fenugreek
Fenugreek or Trigonella foenum-graecum is an annual plant belonging to the family Leguminosae, having has small round leaves. Fenugreek is also popularly known as “Methi”in India. It is cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop, and is a common ingredient in dishes from the Indian Subcontinent. Fenugreek is the small stone like seed from the pod of the plant . The seeds are hard, yellowish brown and angular, measuring about 3 – 5 mm. While fenugreek bush were used as cattle feed in Europe, in India, its seeds have always been considered to have quite a number of medicinal properties. For example, it has the ability to lower sugar levels in of diabetic patient. Others include its digestive properties, its usage as an emollient, etc.
Origin
and Distribution
Fenugreek
is a native of South Eastern Europe and West Asia. The Major
fenugreek-producing countries of the world are India, Iran, Nepal,
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Argentina,Egypt, France, Morocco and
Lebanon). In India it is grown extensively in Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab.
As
it is fairly tolerant to frost and very low temperatures, It is a
crop that adapts to the cold season and It is best suited for
cultivation in areas having moderate in all types of soil but can
perform better in loam and clayey loam soil with adequate drainage.
It can also be grown on black cotton soils.
India
is the largest producer and exporter of Fenugreek in the world.
Over 90% of the Indian production of 36000 MT is concentrated in
Rajasthan and Gujarat, the other states are Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and Punjab. Around 33% – 34% of the
Indian production is exported. The quality of Fenugreek is
determined by the size and colour of the seeds apart from other
parameters like cleanliness, moisture, etc.
Uses
- Cuisine
Fenugreek
has three main culinary uses: It is used as a herb (fresh or dried
leaves), as a spice (seeds), and as a vegetable (fresh leaves,
sprouts, and microgreens.
Fenugreek
seeds are used whole or in powdered form. They are sometimes
roasted to enhance their flavor and reduce bitterness. The seeds
are used in the preparation of pickles, and in spice mixes such as
sambar powder.
Fenugreek
is also used as a vegetable. Fresh leaves are an ingredient in some
Indian curries. The sprouted seeds and microgreens are used in
salads. For use as a vegetable, the young plants are plucked with
their roots.
Lactation
As
are a potent stimulator of breast milk production and are said to
increase milk in lactating women, they are consumed by nursing
mothers to increase breast milk
Medicine
Trials on humans are said to have demonstrated its antidiabetic effects and symptoms associated with type-1 and type-2 diabetes by reducing serum glucose and improving glucose tolerance.
Fenugreek
seeds are used in the treatment of colic flatulence, diarrhoea,
dysentery, dyspepsia, chronic cough and enlargement of liver and
spleen, gout, rickets, and diabetes. It is also used as an
aphrodisiac, carminative and tonic. Fenugreek oil is used in the
manufacture of hair tonics.
Varieties
The
various Improved varieties of fenugreek are Guj. Prabha(NLM),
Methi-1, Rmt-1 (Rajasthan Methi), Methi No.47, Co-1, UM-34, UM-35,
Methi No.-14, Rajendra Kranti (RM-16), , Kasuri, and Kasuri
Selection.
