(Trigonella foenum-graecum ‘Fenugreek')
Fenugreek is an annual herb that is native to India and the Middle East but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features strongly flavored, green trifoliolate leaves and small pale yellow flowers. This plant grows in a container, attracts bee and butterflies, is horse safe, provides forage to livestock, tolerates drought, makes dye, green manure, shampoo, and lotion, and is both edible and medicinal!
Genus: Trigonella
Species: foenum-graecum
Variety: Fenugreek
Also Known As: Methi, Mathi, Bird's Foot, Greek Hayseed.
Native to: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan.
Introduced into: Albania, Algeria, Assam, Austria, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Rus, China North-Central, China South-Central, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Inner Mongolia, Italy, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Mali, Manchuria, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North Caucasus, North European Russi, Northern Provinces, Northwest European R, Oman, Palestine, Portugal, Qinghai, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, South European Russi, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, West Himalaya, Xinjiang, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Maturity: 120 Days
Growing Conditions: Fenugreek is a sun-loving plant which is usually grown as a cool season crop. It grows optimally in well draining loams or sandy loams with a pH between 5.8 and 8.2. it will not grow well in heavy clay. Fenugreek is moderately drought resistant and can be grown in areas with low amounts of rainfall. In areas where the summer temperatures are high it is grown as a cool season crop but can be grown over summer in more temperate climates. The plants can withstand light frost.
Light: at least 4 hours of sun with shade in afternoon.
Water: Do regular watering, let the soil dry out between watering sessions and care not to over-water the plant to save it from root rot.
Soil Moisture: Average, well drained.
Containers: Yes. You can grow fenugreek in containers. It’s similar to cilantro or parsley. Take a shallow wide planter at least 6 inches deep (fenugreek has shallow roots) with good drainage. Fill it with good potting mix. You can use compost, sand and soil too. Sprinkle seeds all over it and add a thin quarter inch layer of soil over them.
Beneficial Insects: Attracts bees, butterflies, and is forage to horses and other live stock.
Height: 18-24”
Spacing: 4-6”
Sow Depth: 1/4"
USDA Zone: 6-11
Produces: a plant with strongly flavored, green trifoliolate leaves and small pale yellow flowers.
Culinary
Seed: cooked or sprouted and eaten raw. It has quite a strong spicy flavor, not unlike lovage or celery. When ground into a powder, the seed is a principal ingredient of curries and mango chutney, it is also used in pickles and spice mixes, as a flavoring in bread etc. The seed is usually lightly roasted before use in order to reduce the bitterness. The seed is about 3 mm long, about 10 - 20 seeds being produced in each pod. A good source of many essential elements such as iron, phosphorus and sulfur, the seed contains about 6% moisture, 23% protein, 10% carbohydrate, 8% fat, 10% fiber and 4.3% ash. The ground seeds are used to give a maple syrup flavor to foods. The seed can be soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for 3 - 5 days. These sprouted seeds have a spicy flavor and can be added to salads or cooked. An essential oil obtained from the seed is used as a food flavoring in imitation maple syrup, vanilla compositions, licorice, pickles etc. It also has medicinal virtues. The ground up seeds can also be used as a substitute for maple syrup.
Leaves: raw or cooked. Very aromatic, in small quantities they can be added to salads, otherwise they are used as a potherb, a flavoring for root vegetables, an ingredient of curries etc.
Seed pods: cooked. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. A soothing tea is made from the leaves and the seed.
Known Hazards: The seed contains 1% saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.
Medicinal
Attractants: Cowpea, Carrots, Sunflower, Buckwheat, French Bean, Alfalfa, Mustard, Cosmos, Anise, Caraway, Dill and Parsley.
Repellents: Basil, Peppermint, Marigold, Ryegrass.
Barrier Plants: Bajra, Corn, Sorghum.
Reduces Menstrual Discomfort: Fenugreek is considered as a potent substance that eases the process of menstruation and relieves the associated symptoms. It is an emmenagogue, which means that it can open up obstructed menses to make the most feminine of processes work smoothly and comfortably.
Minimizes Symptoms of Menopause: Fenugreek contains the chemicals diosgenin and estrogenic isoflavones, which are similar to the female sex hormone, estrogen. Loss of estrogen causes menopausal symptoms. So, eating fenugreek helps to reduce menopausal symptoms like mood swings, depression, cramps, and abnormal hunger pangs. It helps to monitor a number of other hormones as well, keeping many other bodily processes in line as well.
Reduces Cholesterol: Research studies show that fenugreek consumption helps to reduce cholesterol level. It helps to reduce the level of low density Lipoprotein (LDL) significantly, which can prevent various conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. It is a rich source of fiber, which scrapes excess cholesterol off of the arteries and blood vessels of the body. By reducing cholesterol content in the bloodstream, you reduce the chances of clots forming or becoming stuck in the vessels.
Reduces Cardiovascular Risk: The seeds contain 25% galactomannan. This is a type of natural soluble fiber which specifically relates to a reduction in cardiovascular disease.
Controls Diabetes: Fenugreek helps to alleviate type II diabetes. According to one study, it may also help people with Type I diabetes. Studies done by Indian researchers revealed that fenugreek added to type I diabetic patients’ diets helped to drop urinary sugar level by 54%. Because of the presence of the natural fiber galactomannan, fenugreek slows down the rate at which sugar is absorbed into bloodstream. A certain amino acid (4-hydroxyisoleucine) in fenugreek induces the production of insulin so therefore, 15-20 grams of fenugreek is recommended for controlling blood sugar on a daily basis. By slowly releasing insulin to the body rather than in massive chunks, overall bodily function is improved, and the plunges and peaks of blood sugar won’t be an issue for diabetic patients.
Relief for Sore Throats: Fenugreek’s soothing mucilage helps to relieve sore throat pain and cough.
Relieves constipation: It adds bulk to the stool due to its high fiber content. This also makes it helpful in treating constipation and diarrhea, while also relieving minor indigestion.
Good for Kidney Trouble: Traditional Chinese medicine recommends fenugreek for patients suffering from various kidney conditions.
Prevents Colon Cancer: Fenugreek possesses anti-carcinogenic potential. The steroid diosgenin in Fenugreek has been specifically linked to colon cancer prevention. Furthermore, the various non-starch polysaccharides like saponins, hemicellulose, mucilage, tannin, and pectin, lower cholesterol levels and inhibit bile salts from being reabsorbed by the colon. This can bind to the toxins and protect the colon’s mucus membrane, which can reduce colorectal cancer and other conditions that can negatively affect the colon.
Appetite Suppressant: The natural soluble fiber galactomannan can swell in the stomach and thus suppress appetite by making you feel full.
Fenugreek is also used to treat wounds, inflammation and gastrointestinal ailments. It helps in battling free radicals due to its antioxidant capacity. According to ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, it can be used for inducing labor and aiding digestion. It is also good at improving the body’s overall metabolism and health. Irritated skin conditions can even be soothed by the external application of fenugreek. Furthermore, it is used for fevers and muscle aches.
Fenugreek is considered to be a safe, herbal food. It is used as a spice in many cultures and tastes oddly of bitter celery and maple syrup.
A Word of Warning: The only side effect seen in people taking high doses of fenugreek is mild gastrointestinal distress. It is not recommended during pregnancy because it may lead to miscarriage due to its strong effect on the female reproductive system.
Suggested Varieties
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(Daucus carota 'Cosmic Purple')
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(Daucus carota 'Danvers')
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(Daucus carota 'Rainbow Blend')
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(Daucus carota 'Scarlet Nantes')
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(Daucus carota 'Tendersweet')
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(Helianthus annuus ‘Autumn Beauty’)
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(Helianthus annuus ‘Mammoth’)
Mammoth Sunflower is a native annual plant that can be commonly found growing in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 8-12' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped dark green leaves, and 12-24” yellow flower heads. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and makes dye!
(Tithonia rotundifolia ‘Mexican’)
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(Cosmos sulphureus ‘Bright Lights’)
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(Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Radiance’)
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(Ocimum basilicum 'Clove Scented')
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(Ocimum basilicum ‘Italian Large Leaf’)
(Ocimum basilicum ‘Lemon’)
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(Ocimum basilicum ‘Purple Ruffles’)
Purple Ruffles Basil is a native annual herb that can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features ruffled, dark purple leaves, maroon stems, and spikes of bright fuchsia flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is rabbit safe, repels flies, mosquitoes, and thrips, is resistant to deer, is used to make essential oils and mosquito repellent, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!
(Ocimum basilicum ‘Spicy Globe’)
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(Ocimum basilicum ‘Sweet’)
Sweet Basil is an annual herb that is native to India and Asia but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-30” and features medium green leaves and spikes of white or pale pink flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is rabbit safe, repels flies, mosquitoes, and thrips, is resistant to deer, is used to make essential oils and mosquito repellent, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!
(Mentha ‘piperita’)
Peppermint is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and central Asia but can be commonly found growing in wetlands and along streams throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-2' and features 1-2” dark green, toothed, lance-shape, aromatic leaves and terminal spikes that bare small pinkish/lavender flowers. This plant can be grown in containers, attracts bees and butterflies, repels ants, aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, squash bugs, and white flies, is resistant to deer and rabbits, is sued to make essential oils and potpourri, its leaves are used to repel rodents, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Tagetes erecta ‘Naughty Marietta’)
(Tagetes erecta ‘Sparky Mix’)
(Tagetes Erecta ‘Kilimanjaro White’)
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(Zea mays 'Golden Bantam')
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(Zea mays 'Country Gentleman')
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(Zea mays 'Shaman's Blue')
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