Benefits of Fenugreek Seeds, Methi Seeds

Benefits of Fenugreek Seeds, Methi Seeds. Have you recently been diagnosed with low haemoglobin levels or iron deficiency? If yes, then the first advise you would hear from one and all is to ‘EAT GREENS’… eat palak, eat methi ki bhaji, eat chawli bhaji and so on…. That’s so true! Fenugreek leaves are one of the good sources of iron which help ward of iron deficiency anaemia. But equally good are fenugreek seeds also. They also abound in iron and contribute towards building your iron stores.

Methi ke Dane (Hindi) is the most common name of Fenugreek Seeds. Amongst the others are Methi che Dane (Marathi), Mentha (Kannada), Meeth (Kashmiri), Meth (Punjabi), Uluva (Malayalam), Venthayam (Tamil) and Methulu (Telugu).

Fenugreek seeds are yellow, flat seeds usually a bit bitter in taste. They are often a part of tempering, used to flavour foods. Upon cooking their taste is very much enhanced though. They taste less bitter and more palatable. These tiny seeds abound in iron, fiber, protein, B vitamins, zinc, phosphorus and magnesium. This spice serves as an excellent cure to many ailments like Diabetes, Diarrhea, Heart disease, etc. In fact it’s an inexpensive way to many skin and hair problems too.

7 Health Benefits of Fenugreek Seeds, Methi Seeds

1. Weight Loss: Some research shows positive relation between weight loss and regular consumption of fenugreek seeds. It contains polysaccharide namely galactomannan which is responsible for lending that feeling of fullness and avoiding binge eating. You can either chew on methi seeds or have soaked methi seeds with water in the morning.

2. Diabetes Control: 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds soaked overnight and consumed early in the morning on an empty stomach is a remarkable cure to control blood sugar levels. Try it for a month or two and monitor your blood sugar levels to find out if this works for you.

3. Fenugreek Seeds Promotes Cardiac Health: Fenugreek seeds have been known to benefit the heart by way of reducing cholesterol levels in the blood. It is probably the fibre and anti-inflammation property of these seeds which gains this credit. High cholesterol levels are often a threat to blockage off arteries and thus stroke. Know the List of Foods to Keep Cholesterol Levels Under Control.

4. Home Remedy to Dandruff: The protein and zinc along with lecithin present in these seeds are the nutrients and compounds which reduce hair fall and work towards healthy and shiny hair growth. A paste made of soaked fenugreek seeds with coconut oil or curds when applied on the scalp serves as a fabulous remedy for hair health. It nourishes the scalp and bids goodbye to dandruff.

5. Ladder to Radiant Skin: A paste of fenugreek seeds with honey when applied on face helps to fade the scars and serve as an effective treatment to blackheads. Consuming fenugreek seeds by sprouting it is also a way to pump in some antioxidants and prevent early signs of ageing.

6. Methi Seeds Acts as a Galactagogue: Fenugreek seeds have long been suggested to enhance breast milk production to lactating mums. One classic example is Methi ke Laddoo made with love by every mom for her daughter feeding her bundle of joy. While this is subjective, it has helped many. Other galactagogues are milk, garlic, garden cress seeds, fennel and so on… Here’s the comprehensive list on galactagogues along with a few recipe ideas using these ingredients.

7. Fenugreek Seeds Overcomes Digestive Problems: The fibre in the fenugreek seeds is known to aid in digestion and also keep acidity at bay. A teaspoon of fenugreek seeds swallowed with half glass water is also a very well-known home remedy for diarrhoea.

5 Ways to Add Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Seeds) to your Meals

1. Chew the Fenugreek Seeds: This is the best way to benefit from these seeds. But its bitter taste, often puts off one’s mood. You need to try and cultivate the taste for it.

2. Soak the Fenugreek Seeds: Take 1 to 2 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds and soak them in ½ cup of water overnight. Next morning, consume these seeds along with the water.

3. Add it to Tempering: Age-old traditional ways of using methi seeds in tempering dal, kadhi and sambhar are true treasure. Do not break that practice.

4. Make a Paste of Seeds: Try disguising it by making a paste of the soaked seeds and adding to preparations like subzis and dals. 

5. Sprout the Methi Seeds: Sprouting has many benefits. The topmost are easy digestion, providing additional dose of nutrients and enahncing disease fighting ability. Yes, you heard it right. Fenugreek seeds can also be sprouted. ½ cup of fenugreek seeds when soaked overnight in enough water and then kept to sprouts will yield about 1½ cups of sprouts with the sprouting time being approximately 6 to 8 hours. You can then devour a salad of these seeds along with a list of veggies of fruits of your choice added to it. Try our tested recipe of Sprouted Methi with Fruity Dressing.

Let’s take a quick look at its nutrient profile before knowing all the health benefits in detail.

Nutritive Information for Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Seeds):

1 tbsp of fenugreek seeds is about 12 grams
RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.

Energy - 40 calories
Protein – 3.1 g
Carbohydrate – 5.3 g
Fat – 0.7 g
Fiber – 0.9 g

See full nutritional details of fenugreek seeds in Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Seeds) glossary click here.