fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a clover-like herb native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe, and western Asia. Its seeds smell and taste like maple syrup. According to NCCIH, the plant has been used as a medicinal plant for roughly 6,000 years, and its seeds have served as a culinary spice and a flavoring agent in foods and beverages. Today it is also sold as a dietary supplement.

The evidence is generally weak and not conclusive. NCCIH notes that research has suggested fenugreek may help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, "but many of the studies were not of high quality." For menstrual cramps, only a small number of studies exist and the evidence is "of low quality." For increasing breast milk supply, NCCIH says it is uncertain whether fenugreek helps, as "studies have had mixed results." NCCIH states that the evidence for other health conditions is "too limited for any conclusions to be reached." Overall, there is not enough high-quality evidence to determine whether fenugreek is useful for diabetes or menstrual cramps.

NCCIH does not state a specific recommended dose, and there is no established standard supplement dosage. Amounts found in food are the best understood; larger supplemental amounts are less certain in both effect and safety. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting fenugreek, especially if you have diabetes, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take other medicines.

According to NCCIH, fenugreek is believed to be safe for adults and children in the amounts commonly found in foods, and possibly safe for adults in larger amounts. There is not enough information to say whether it is safe for children to take fenugreek in amounts larger than those found in foods. It is not safe during pregnancy in amounts greater than those found in food, because its use has been linked to increased risks of birth defects. Little is known about whether it is safe to use amounts larger than those found in food while breastfeeding.

Potential side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and other digestive tract symptoms. Large doses may cause a harmful drop in blood sugar. Fenugreek can also cause allergic reactions in some people, including serious ones.

NCCIH cautions that if you take any medicine, you should talk with your health care provider before using fenugreek or other herbal products, because some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. NCCIH does not list specific drug interactions for fenugreek on this page; however, because it may lower blood sugar, it is reasonable to be cautious about combining it with diabetes medications. Check with your healthcare provider before combining fenugreek with any prescription or over-the-counter medication.