Fenugreek popularly called Vendhayam in Tamil, Menthulu in Telugu and Methi in Hindi is truly a nature’s miracle. We use both the seeds and powder in cooking and also in remedies, it’s botanical name is Trigonella Foenum Graecum. Fenugreek powder has amazing hair, skin and health benefits. I have grown up seeing my family use fenugreek powder extensively in home remedies.
Last week when I was talking to my grandmother about remedies using fenugreek, I was surprised at the number of home remedies that requires fenugreek as a base ingredient. I am trying to record all the home remedies of each herb separately as I thought it will be easier for everyone to find out completely about the herb without searching for the remedies individually. I always feel happy when the home remedy involves common kitchen ingredients as everyone will be able to use it.
What Is Fenugreek Powder?
Fenugreek is an annual plant with compound leaves and brown seeds. When we sun dry the seeds and grind finely, we get fenugreek powder. When I was younger, there was always homemade roasted fenugreek powder at home and before even I complain of stomachache, I will know that my mom will resort to fenugreek for treating my stomachache.
We always had a huge bottle of honey at home that is usually sourced from the local forest. Fenugreek powder when mixed with honey is the best home remedy for stomachache due to indigestion. Since we were living in a village, booking an appointment and then going to the doctor was done only in emergencies. We always resort to these simple home remedies that work wonders.
Fenugreek Powder Benefits:
Fenugreek powder is also a wonderful ingredient that solves all the problems of the hair. It arrests even the worst hair fall when combined together with a sensible diet and as far as I know, it is the best home remedy for dandruff. Fenugreek powder is also wonderful for diabetic patients as it stabilizes the blood sugar levels when included in the diet.
In my humble opinion, we should try to include fenugreek powder both in our diet and external applications more. The only thing that we have to remember when using fenugreek for our hair is fenugreek is very cooling. So if you are prone to sinus infection, please don’t use fenugreek as a hair pack, as it will worsen the sinus infection, however you can use fenugreek hair oil instead.
5 Top Ways To Use Fenugreek Powder:
5 Top Ways To Use Fenugreek Powder:1.Fenugreek Hair Mask for Dandruff:
I always had dandruff from my young age. When I was younger, my mom used to apply this fenugreek seeds hair mask (methi hair mask) regularly on my hair and let it soak for 20 minutes before washing my hair. This fenugreek hair mask treats dandruff and stimulates hair growth and to this day, I continue using this hair mask.
To make the pack, take fenugreek powder in a cup. Add in curd and mix to form a slightly runny paste, let it sit for 15 minutes and it will gel. Now apply the pack for about 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. You can also find an other hair pack recipe here.
2. Fenugreek Powder Hair Oil:
To make the hair oil, take 1/4 cup of fenugreek seeds in a tall bottle. Add in a cup of virgin coconut oil. Let it steep under hot sunlight for a day or two. The powder will settle down leaving the clear oil on top. You can use this oil as a daily application hair oil. This hair oil is so very effective for treating premature greying and it conditions the hair well too. This oil is also very very good as a pre shampoo treatment.
3. Fenugreek Powder For Skin:
Some people suffer from itchy skin, even small insect bites will trigger intense itchiness of the skin. A simple homemade bath powder made with 350 gms of fenugreek, 100 gms of turmeric, 100 gms of kasthuri turmeric & 100 gms of white turmeric will eliminate body itching very effectively.
To make this powder, sun dry all the ingredients and powder finely and store in an airtight container. When you suffer from itching, take this powder and mix it into a paste with water and apply all over the body, wait for few minutes before washing it off.
On the day you are using this powder, make sure not to use soap or other chemicals on the skin. Even people prone to skin allergies will benefit using this powder.
4. For Stomach Disorders:
When we have stomach cramps accompanied by diarrhoea, we call it “Vaitru kaduppu” in Tamil. This problem commonly occurs when we eat out a lot and consume very greasy foods.
When I was younger, this is one home remedy that I was ready to consume any time because it had honey. For this home remedy, fry fenugreek in an empty kadai till golden and powder finely in a mortar and pestle or in a dry mixer.
Then mix fenugreek powder with good quality honey. It is easier to make the children eat this mixture as the fenugreek taste is masked by the sweetness of honey. Give this powder thrice with an interval of 2 hrs. Writing these remedies that I have grown up with gives me so much pleasure :).
5. Fenugreek Face Pack:
Fenugreek face pack is very very effective for treating many skin problems. It has a soothing effect on the skin and helps reduce inflammation and it also brightens dull skin well. To make the face pack, take a tbsp of fenugreek powder in a bowl. Add in a tbsp of licorice powder and a tsp of kasthuri turmeric powder, mix well. Finally add in enough milk to form a paste and apply as a face pack. Wait for it to almost dry and then wash it off.
How To Make Fenugreek Powder At Home:
How To Make Fenugreek Powder At Home:To make fenugreek powder, sun dry fenugreek seeds under hot sun till crisp. Now while it is still crisp from sun drying, powder in a dry mixer to a fine powder.
Sieve and then store in an airtight box. This powder will last well at room temperature for about a month or more but make sure to store it away from moisture.
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I am giving a mother feed to my child.can use this hair mask.how to create a yogurt.curd +sugar huh ?
You can use the hair mask, when you are feeding. Yogurt is another name for curd…..
Very useful and valid information
Fenugreek is a wonderful spice !. Ramya's post is so informative and useful and we should be thankful to her .I have been consuming it for more than a year as a home remedy to cure diabetes ( in addition to metformin tablets) and have noticed good results, probably due to the fact that fenugreek is said to promote insulin secretion naturally. I usually soak a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in water for more than 12 hrs and consume both the water as well as the soaked seeds first thing in the morning. In addition to its proven anti diabetic uses, it has also proved to be a good bowel cleanser.Also I am free from heartburn and aciditiy, which I occassionally used to suffer from. I wish and hope more and more people should make the best use of this easily available & inexpensive spice and reap its wonderful benefits.
Shal I soak fenugreek in water overnight and drink that water with that seed daily morning ???
Yes, you can drink the fenugreek soaked water but please remember that it lowers blood sugar levels and if you are diabetic please keep a close watch on your blood sugar levels…
is it true soak overnight and drinking the water help cleanse the body including fatty cell?
If we use the fenugreek for diabetic men. Does it reduce their fertility?
Fenugreek does have anti fertility properties but if only taken in very large doses, you can read the study that was done on the anti fertility effect of fenugreek seeds here (copy and paste the link in the browser): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=fenugreek+antifertility
can i use this for face bez i have black marks in my face
Fenugreek | Vendhayam can be applied for face too. Whenever I make fenugreek hair pack, I apply some of it on my face also…
Excellent post Ramya. Very informative. God bless… Balaji Moham
Can I use curry leaves along with fenugreek and curd for hair mask?
Yes, curry leaves can be used along with fenugreek and curd as a hair mask…
I am 25 yr old women and newly married.if I take reguraly at morning time with empty stomach,what will happend.
If you are not diabetic ( fenugreek will reduce blood sugar levels so they have to monitor it carefully) consuming vendhayam will not cause any problems at all.
Hi Ramya…Can I swallow vendhayam seeds,everyday a tea spoon full along with water, without soaking it? Will it be efective for diab? – R. Venkataraman
Hi sir, You can take vendhayam in any form and it will be helpful. If you are a diabetic make sure to check your blood sugar levels often as taking both vendhayam and diabetic medications will lower your blood sugar levels way too much…
Ramya, I read your post, very informative. My daughter (17 year old) have severe dandruff and applying the methi paste on regular intervals, there is an improvement. But will it be more effective, if the seeds is taken early in the morning in empty stomach like raw seeds, powdered form or soaked one.. Please give me your suggestions. She is not a diabetic
I am not sure how effective eating fenugreek seeds is for controlling dandruff. But you can give it a try. Soak fenugreek seeds along with curd and few curry leaves for an hour hour and take in the morning. My mom used to give this blend when I was younger for hair growth…
Is it good for cholesterol
Yes vendhayam is very very good for reducing cholesterol as it rich in fiber…
Is it good for High Blood Pressure?
It may lower high blood pressure but fenugreek is mainly used for lowering blood sugar levels and high cholesterol levels…
Mam, Whether I can drink vendhayam soaked water while playing badminton, as da playing condition (indoor) is humid and is there any side effects???
Vendhayam water is a body coolant and you can drink it, only diabetic patients should be careful as it reduces blood sugar levels drastically…
how to get rid of the curry like smell it still hasnt gone away even after washing it 4 times
I have dandruff problem for more than 3 yrs and i can't able take away it from my hair here u have given lot of suggestion by using fenugreek seeds can u able to tell in this which one u will be suggesting me to get relief from dandruff.. u advice is really helpful for me so please
Hello mam i hope u r good, I have dandruff problem for 2 yrs and If i drink fenugreek water every day early morning once after wake up do i can get relief from dandruff problem.
Ramya Mam i have dandruff problem for more than a year and tried many treatments and i could able get away from it please suggest me some idea to get relieve from it…
I have GERD and Ileatis.Now I am taking a teaspoon full of overnight soaked venthayam.Ifeelcomfortable and a free bowel movement.
Hii mam, i saw one drink which help to reduce weight,in tht one tea spoon of vandhaiyam,seeragam,3 to 4 piece of curry leaf,small ginger piece 2 to 3,half lemon,then 3 tea spoon of honey.i must have in morning and night.i heard vendhaiyam,lemon and ginger will affect health later on.i am not diabetic but I am epilepsy patient.suggest me.
Madam, I am suffering from GERD & Irritable bowel syndrome frequently.Even a small change in food habits causes diarrohea. Can Vendhayam help me . How should I take it ? in the morning on empty stomach or at night. Kindly guide. Thanks
Mam , How combination of vendhayam and Jeera mixed water overnight and effect of the same.
Dear Mam , How about effects of both vendhayam and jeera mixed with water overnight