Fenugreek (birds foot, bockshornsam, chilbe, foenugraeci semen, Greek hay, griechische Heusamen, hu lu ba, methi, trigonella foenum graecum)

Suggested dosing of Birds foot, bockshornsam (fenugreek)

 

Seed

1-2 g PO TId

No more than: 6 g/d

 

Tea

1 cup mult. times/day; 500 mg seed/150 mL water

 

Poultice

Apply topically PRn

Paste: 50 g of powdered seed in 0.25-1 L hot water

 

Diabetes Mellitus, Postprandial Glucose Control

10-15 g PO qDay or in divided doses with meals Or

Hydroalcoholic extract: 1 g PO qDay Or

Seed: 5 g/day PO

 

Hyperlipidemia

0.6-2.5 g PO BID with meals

 

Suggested uses of Birds foot, bockshornsam (fenugreek)

Appetite stimulant, atherosclerosis, constipation, diabetes, dyspepsia/gastritis, fevers, kidney ailments, hyperlipidemia/hypertriglyceridemia, lactation promotion, local inflammation (topical)

 

Efficacy

Diabetes: Reduces postprandial blood glucose in type 1 or 2

Hypercholesterolemia: Conflicting evidence on lowering cholesterol; more studies needed

Hypertriglyceridemia: Preliminary clinical research suggests it may lower triglycerides in type 2 diabetics

 

Birds foot, bockshornsam (fenugreek) adverse (side) effects

Allergic reaction, asthma, diarrhea, flatulence, hypoglycemia, wheezing, unusual body odor (peds), loss of consciousness (peds)

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Pediatric patients

 

Cautions

Diabetes mellitus

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: avoid use

Lactation: avoid use

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Birds foot, bockshornsam (fenugreek)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

 

Mechanism of action

Foenugracein and other components decr postprandial glucose, glucagon, somatostatin, insulin, total cholesterol, & triglycerides, while increasing HDL

Fiber and mucilage slow GI absorption of glucose& cholesteroL

Steroidal saponins inhibit GI cholesterol absorption