Fenugreek (birds foot, bockshornsam, chilbe, foenugraeci semen, Greek hay, griechische Heusamen, hu lu ba, methi, trigonella foenum graecum)
Classes: Cardiovascular, Herbals; Gastrointestinal, Herbals; Metabolic & Endocrine, Herbals
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
