If you’re looking for the best fenugreek supplements to buy this year, then you’ve come to the right place. You can also get more info by jumping to our Fenugreek Supplements Guide.
Top 10 Fenugreek Supplements
| #1 |  |
Nutrigold Fenugreek GOLD | More Info |
| #2 |  |
Gaia Herbs Fenugreek Seed | More Info |
| #3 |  |
Solaray Organic Fenugreek | More Info |
| #4 |  |
Nature’s Way Fenugreek | More Info |
| #5 |  |
NOW Foods Fenugreek | More Info |
| #6 |  |
Solgar Fenugreek | More Info |
| #7 |  |
Oregon’s Wild Harvest Fenugreek | More Info |
| #8 |  |
Pure Mountain Botanicals Fenugreek | More Info |
| #9 |  |
Nature’s Herb Fenugreek Seed | More Info |
| #10 |  |
Bluebonnet Standardized Fenugreek Seed Extract | More Info |
Fenugreek Supplements Guide
Fenugreek has been used for healing a wide variety of symptoms and diseases for thousands of years. Some say that it was first discovered by the ancient Romans who noticed that their cattle and horses seemed to prefer it to other forms of vegetation that was added to their fodder.
Even the creatures that were sick and had no appetite would nuzzle through the hay to find pieces of it. Out of curiosity, physicians studied it to see what made it so special for the animals. And that was when they found out that it could also be consumed by humans. Word spread fast about Fenugreek, so surrounding countries began to use it too. And now, it can be found worldwide in an easy-to-take supplement.
This article will address some of the most important aspects of fenugreek that people should know about before they include it as part of their daily health regimen.
What is Fenugreek?
Fenugreek is a plant with a light green color that stands close to two feet tall in height. Its stems are long and thin. The foliage sitting at the end of them is clustered in groups of three leaves, which is similar to a clover plant. Once the plant flowers and reaches full maturity, it produces long seed pods full of close to 20 flat seeds resembling beans that are edible. So botanists have classified it as being related to the legume family of plants. Fenugreek grows the best when it isn’t over watered, since it has long been grown in the semi-arid climate of the Mediterranean.
The entire plant is edible, but it is the seeds that are used the most for their beneficial health properties. Many people also grind them up to add as flavoring to their favorite dishes. And sometimes, they are sprouted in water overnight to add to salads. Fenugreek has a slightly bitter flavor that is similar to maple syrup, so it is often used as a healthy replacement for maple products when they aren’t available.
Benefits of Fenugreek
Fenugreek supplements that are sold contain either the extract of the plant or the ground up seeds. The herb is also available in a tincture. And sometimes, fenugreek is made into a poultice. That is because it can be used both internally and externally.
Fenugreek has unique seeds with a large amount of gelatinous mucilage that coats and soothes whatever it comes in contact with. This mucilage is what makes the seeds so beneficial to the health. It is very comforting as it covers any delicate, inflamed tissue in the body.
This herb works well for stomach ailments, such as ulcers, gastritis, and food poisoning. And the intestines are aided by it too. Some people with Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find it especially helpful. Fenugreek also reduces high fevers that are difficult to control, and it aids in diseases of the upper respiratory system, such as bronchitis.
But one of the most interesting ways that this herb is used is for women’s reproductive health. It increases uterine contractions. So those who are struggling with delayed menstruation because of stress or other health issues can get their period. Sometimes, pregnant women who are past their due date for delivery of their baby take it to encourage contractions. Once the baby is born, fenugreek is also helpful for increasing a woman’s milk supply if it is starting to dry up. And since the herb mimics estrogen, it can also be taken to increase low levels of the hormone that naturally fade as a woman ages.
The estrogenic effects of fenugreek shouldn’t discourage men from taking it though. It can be safely used by them on a short-term basis. In fact, men over the age of 40-years-old often find it especially helpful for increasing their sex drive and treating impotence.
One of the most promising new discoveries about this herb is its ability to decrease high cholesterol and blood glucose levels. This has been very exciting news since the pharmaceutical drugs currently used to treat these conditions cause serious side effects that are worse than the conditions themselves. So far, the research has only been done on animals though. However, human studies should follow soon.
And lastly, fenugreek is also helpful for treating arthritis and joint pain. It naturally reduces the inflammation that contributes to swelling and sensitivity in these areas. And it relaxes the muscles too.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Although fenugreek is a safe and effective natural remedy that has been used for thousands of years, it should be noted that it has a few side effects. Men who take fenugreek for too long can develop an imbalance in their hormone levels because of the way that the herb increases estrogen in the body. Women can also develop an overload of this hormone, which can contribute to water retention, weight gain, and rapid mood swings. Pregnant women shouldn’t take fenugreek until the end of their third trimester because it induces uterine contractions that could cause them to go into labor too early. They may also have a miscarriage. Women who are trying to get pregnant shouldn’t take it all because it will decrease the chances of a fertilized egg staying in the uterus.
In large doses, fenugreek causes gastric upset because there is too much mucilage in the digestive tract. Diarrhea and stomach cramps are common when this happens. So it is important that those who try this herb take it according to the recommended dosage that is on the bottle’s label.
Since it lowers blood sugar levels, people who have diabetes or hypoglycemia should avoid trying it without talking to their doctor first. It could lower their sugar levels too much when it is combined with other prescription medications.
And those who are allergic to peanuts shouldn’t take fenugreek because it could induce an allergic reaction. Fenugreek is closely related to legumes, and so are peanut plants. So all forms of this herb could prove fatal to them.
The most interesting side effect that should be mentioned is that this herb makes a person’s sweat and urine smell like maple syrup. In fact, many herbalists recommend that people slowly increase their dosage of fenugreek until they get to this stage. That way, they know that they have enough of it in their body.
How to Take Fenugreek
The dosage of fenugreek depends on the method of consumption that is used. If a person prefers to take their herbs as a tea, they can boil two teaspoons of the seeds in a cup of water. A little honey can be added to decrease the bitter taste. It helps to slightly crush the seeds before adding them to the water because this will help release their properties. Those who prefer tinctures only need to take about a half of a teaspoon of the liquid three times a day. Men may want to reduce this amount though.
The easiest way to take fenugreek is in a capsule because it reduces the risk of taking too much of the herb. Each one has a pre-measured amount. But it takes about 3,500 milligrams of the herb to get its benefits. So sometimes, up to six capsules have to be taken at a time if they each have a fairly low amount of fenugreek in them. The capsules also have to be taken three times a day.
What to Look for in a Good Fenugreek Supplement
Like all herbal products, there are some important things to look for when trying to choose the best fenugreek supplement. The most important of them all is purity. Unfortunately, there is no oversight of herbal products. So many companies sell supplements that have very little, if any, of the herbal product that they claim it does. In fact, a recent study that was done by a fact-finding agency revealed that many major retail stores sell supplements that are nothing but a mixture of old, leftover herbs that didn’t sell.
Another important consideration is quality. A clear expiration date should be stamped on the bottle, which shows that the company cares about how fresh the herbal product is inside. Those without this stamp often contain old herbs that have lost their potency.
Consistency also matters. Each capsule should contain the same amount of product. If there are any of them that seem to have inconsistent amounts, it could cause a person to take too much or too little of the fenugreek supplement. So all consumers should look closely at the capsules through the bottle. This isn’t always possible if the packaging isn’t transparent though.
And lastly, there should be clear directions and safety information printed on a good fenugreek supplement. Shady supplement companies often fail to add these because they don’t want to be held responsible for the low-quality contents that are inside. And don’t forget to pay attention to the fine print that is listed. It may mention if there is only a small percentage of the active ingredient in the capsules.
The post 10 Best Fenugreek Supplements – Reviewed & Ranked for 2017 appeared first on Supplement Hound - Supplement Reviews for 2016.
from Supplement Hound – Supplement Reviews for 2016 http://supplementhound.com/best-fenugreek-supplements/
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