Trigonella foenum graecum
Fenugreek is an annual plant of the Fabaceae family. It occurs naturally in India, China and East Africa and is grown in many countries, including Poland. It is one of the oldest plants, demonstrating beneficial effects on the body. Its properties were highly valued by Hippocrates himself. The first mentions of fenugreek cultivation come from the 7th century B.C., from the ancient Assyria. Its beneficial properties were used for centuries in the Indian, Arabic, Greek and Chinese traditions. It owes its Latin name – Trigonella, which means “triangular”, to a shape of the flower crown. Fenugreek seed is a herbal raw material – it has been used in a diet stabilizing blood sugar because it influences glucose metabolism.
Herbal Medicine Expanded Commission E Monographs, American Botanical Council, Newton 2000, s. 130-133
E. Lamer-Zarawska, B. Kowal-Gierczak, J. Niedworok, Fitoterapia i Leki Roślinne, wyd. PZWL, Warszawa 2007, s. 252-253
P. Ody, Wielki Zielnik Medyczny, Debit, Bielsko-Biała 1993, s. 106
A. Ożarowski, Ziołolecznictwo. Poradnik dla lekarzy, wyd. II, Państwowy Zakład Wydawnictw Lekarskich, Warszawa, 1982, s. 263-264
