FENUGREEK: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an herb similar to clover. The seeds taste similar to maple syrup and are used in foods and medicine.

Fenugreek is native to the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia. Fenugreek seems to slow sugar absorption in the stomach and stimulate insulin. Both of these effects lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Fenugreek might also improve levels of testosterone and estrogen, helping to improve interest in sex.

People commonly use fenugreek for diabetes, menstrual cramps, sexual problems, enlarged prostate, high cholesterol, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Diabetes. Taking fenugreek seed by mouth seems to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Taking fenugreek seed powder by mouth might reduce painful menstrual periods.
Increasing response to sexual stimuli in healthy people. Taking a specific fenugreek seed extract (Testofen, Gencor Pacific Ltd) by mouth seems to improve ability and interest in sex in males.
Sexual problems that prevent satisfaction during sexual activity. Taking a specific fenugreek seed extract (Libifem, Gencor Pacific Ltd.) by mouth seems to increase interest in sex in healthy younger females with a low sex drive.

Possibly Ineffective for

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Taking fenugreek extract by mouth doesn't seem to improve BPH symptoms.

There is interest in using fenugreek for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Fenugreek is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when the powdered seed is taken for up to 3 years. Side effects may include diarrhea, stomach upset, bloating, and gas. It may also cause allergic reactions in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy: Fenugreek is commonly consumed in foods. It is likely unsafe when used in greater amounts. It might cause malformations in the baby, as well as early contractions. Taking fenugreek just before delivery may cause the newborn to have an unusual body odor. This unusual body odor doesn't seem to be harmful, but it could be confused with a condition called "maple syrup urine disease."

Breast-feeding: Fenugreek is possibly safe when taken by mouth to increase breastmilk flow. Taking fenugreek 1725 mg three times daily for 21 days doesn't seem to cause any side effects in infants.

Children: Fenugreek is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if fenugreek is safe when taken in larger amounts. An unusual body and urine odor has been reported after drinking fenugreek tea. This doesn't seem to be harmful, but it could be confused with a condition called "maple syrup urine disease."

Allergies: People who are allergic to other plants in the Fabaceae family, including soybeans, peanuts, green peas, and other legumes, might also be allergic to fenugreek.

Surgery: Fenugreek might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking fenugreek at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with FENUGREEK
Fenugreek might lower blood sugar levels. Taking fenugreek along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with FENUGREEK
Fenugreek might slow blood clotting. Taking fenugreek along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with FENUGREEK
Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Fenugreek might also slow blood clotting. Taking fenugreek along with warfarin might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Theophylline interacts with FENUGREEK
Fenugreek might reduce how much theophylline is absorbed by the body. Using fenugreek while taking theophylline might reduce the effects of theophylline.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) interacts with FENUGREEK
Fenugreek might change the way that the body breaks down clopidogrel. This might change the effects of clopidogrel and might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Metoprolol (Toprol) interacts with FENUGREEK
Fenugreek might lower blood pressure. Taking fenugreek with metoprolol might cause blood pressure to drop too low.
Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with FENUGREEK
Fenugreek might decrease levels of phenytoin in the body. Taking fenugreek with phenytoin might reduce the effects of phenytoin.
Sildenafil (Viagra) interacts with FENUGREEK
Fenugreek might reduce levels of sildenafil in the body. Taking fenugreek with sildenafil might reduce the effects of sildenafil.

Dosing

Fenugreek seed powder has most often been used by adults in doses of 5-10 grams by mouth daily for up to 3 years. Fenugreek seed extract has most often been used in doses of 0.6-1.2 grams by mouth daily. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

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Bhardwaj PK, Dasgupta DJ, Prashar BS, Kaushal SS. Control of hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia by plant product. J Assoc Physicians India 1994;42:33-5. View abstract.

Bin Jardan YA, Ahad A, Raish M, Alam MA, Al-Mohizea AM, Al-Jenoobi FI. Effects of garden cress, fenugreek and black seed on the pharmacodynamics of metoprolol: an herb-drug interaction study in rats with hypertension. Pharm Biol 2021;59(1):1088-1097. View abstract.

Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) on blood lipids, blood sugar and platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1997;56:379-84. View abstract.

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Chattopadhyay K, Wang H, Kaur J, et al. Effectiveness and Safety of Ayurvedic Medicines in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:821810. Published 2022 Jun 8. View abstract.

Che CT, Douglas L, Liem J. Case reports of peanut-fenugreek and cashew-sumac cross-reactivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017 Mar - Apr;5(2):510-511. View abstract.

Chevassus H, Gaillard JB, Farret A, et al. A fenugreek seed extract selectively reduces spontaneous fat intake in overweight subjects. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2010;66(5):449-55. View abstract.

Chevassus H, Molinier N, Costa F, et al. A fenugreek seed extract selectively reduces spontaneous fat consumption in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2009;65(12):1175-8. View abstract.

Correia AGDS, Alencar MB, Dos Santos AN, et al. Effect of saffron and fenugreek on lowering blood glucose: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Phytother Res 2023. View abstract.

DiSilvestro RA, Verbruggen MA, Offutt EJ. Anti-heartburn effects of a fenugreek fiber product. Phytother Res 2011;25:88-91. View abstract.

Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Available at: https://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Faeste CK, Namork E, Lindvik H. Allergenicity and antigenicity of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) proteins in foods. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;123(1):187-94. View abstract.

Fakhr L, Chehregosha F, Zarezadeh M, Chaboksafar M, Tarighat-Esfanjani A. Effects of fenugreek supplementation on the components of metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Pharmacol Res 2023;187:106594. View abstract.

Flammang AM, Cifone MA, Erexson GL, Stankowski LF Jr. Genotoxicity testing of a fenugreek extract. Food Chem Toxicol 2004;42:1769-75. View abstract.

Florentin M, Liberopoulos E, Elisaf MS, Tsimihodimos V. No effect of fenugreek, bergamot and olive leaf extract on glucose homeostasis in patients with prediabetes: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis. 2019;4:e162-e166. View abstract.

Foroumandi E, Javan R, Moayed L, et al. The effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res 2023;37(1):285-294. View abstract.

Gabay MP. Galactogogues: medications that induce lactation. J Hum Lact 2002;18:274-9. View abstract.

Geberemeskel GA, Debebe YG, Nguse NA. Antidiabetic Effect of Fenugreek Seed Powder Solution (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) on Hyperlipidemia in Diabetic Patients. J Diabetes Res. 2019;2019:8507453. View abstract.

Goh J, Menke W, Herrick LP, et al. Examination of Curcumin and Fenugreek Soluble Fiber Supplementation on Submaximal and Maximal Aerobic Performance Indices. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2020;5(2):34. View abstract.

Gong J, Fang K, Dong H, Wang D, Hu M, Lu F. Effect of fenugreek on hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidemia in diabetes and prediabetes: A meta-analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 24;194:260-268. View abstract.

Gupta A, Gupta R, Lal B. Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds on glycaemic control and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double blind placebo controlled study. J Assoc Physicians India 2001;49:1057-61. View abstract.

Hakimi S, Delazar A, Mobaraki-Asl N, Amiri P, Tavassoli H, Safari M. Comparison of the effects of fenugreek vaginal cream and ultra low-dose estrogen on atrophic vaginitis. Curr Drug Deliv 2020. Online ahead of print. View abstract.

Hamden K, Jaouadi B, Carreau S, Aouidet A, El-Fazaa S, Gharbi N, Elfeki A. Potential protective effect on key steroidogenesis and metabolic enzymes and sperm abnormalities by fenugreek steroids in testis and epididymis of surviving diabetic rats. Arch Physiol Biochem. 2010 Jul;116(3):146-55. View abstract.

Hannan JM, Rokeya B, Faruque O, et al. Effect of soluble dietary fibre fraction of Trigonella foenum graecum on glycemic, insulinemic, lipidemic and platelet aggregation status of Type 2 diabetic model rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;88:73-7. View abstract.

Hassani SS, Fallahi Arezodar F, Esmaeili SS, Gholami-Fesharaki M. Effect of Fenugreek Use on Fasting Blood Glucose, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Blood Pressure and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials. Galen Med J 2019;8:e1432. View abstract.

Hassanzadeh Bashtian M, Emami SA, Mousavifar N, Esmaily HA, Mahmoudi M, Mohammad Poor AH. Evaluation of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L.), Effects Seeds Extract on Insulin Resistance in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Iran J Pharm Res 2013;12(2):475-81. View abstract.

Hausenblas HA, Conway KL, Coyle KRM, et al. Efficacy of fenugreek seed extract on men's psychological and physical health: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial. J Complement Integr Med 2020. Online ahead of print. View abstract.

Heshmat-Ghahdarijani K, Mashayekhiasl N, Amerizadeh A, Teimouri Jervekani Z, Sadeghi M. Effect of fenugreek consumption on serum lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytother Res 2020. Online ahead of print. View abstract.

Kassaian N, Azadbakht L, Forghani B, Amini M. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 2009;79(1):34-9. View abstract.

Khan TM, Wu DB, Dolzhenko AV. Effectiveness of fenugreek as a galactagogue: A network meta-analysis. Phytother Res. 2018 Mar;32(3):402-412. View abstract.

Khanna A, John F, Das S, et al. Efficacy of a novel extract of fenugreek seeds in alleviating vasomotor symptoms and depression in perimenopausal women: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. J Food Biochem. 2020;44(12):e13507. View abstract.

Khodamoradi K, Khosropanah MH, Ayati Z, et al. The Effects of Fenugreek on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2020;52:102416. View abstract.

King LA, Nogareda F, Weill FX, Mariani-Kurkdjian P, Loukiadis E, Gault G, Jourdan-DaSilva N, Bingen E, Macé M, Thevenot D, Ong N, Castor C, Noël H, Van Cauteren D, Charron M, Vaillant V, Aldabe B, Goulet V, Delmas G, Couturier E, Le Strat Y, Combe C, Delmas Y, Terrier F, Vendrely B, Rolland P, de Valk H. Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 associated with organic fenugreek sprouts, France, June 2011. Clin Infect Dis 2012;54(11):1588-94. View abstract.

Lambert J, Cormier J. Potential interaction between warfarin and boldo-fenugreek. Pharmacotherapy 2001;21:509-12. View abstract.

Madar Z, Abel R, Samish S, Arad J. Glucose-lowering effect of fenugreek in non-insulin dependent diabetics. Eur J Clin Nutr 1988;42:51-4. View abstract.

Madar Z, Thorne R. Dietary fiber. Prog Food Nutr Sci 1987;11:153-74. View abstract.

Mansoori A, Hosseini S, Zilaee M, Hormoznejad R, Fathi M. Effect of fenugreek extract supplement on testosterone levels in male: a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytother Res 2020;34(7):1550-5. View abstract.

Mathern JR, Raatz SK, Thomas W, Slavin JL. Effect of fenugreek fiber on satiety, blood glucose and insulin response and energy intake in obese subjects. Phytother Res 2009;23(11):1543-8. View abstract.

Mazalzadeh F, Hekmat K, Namjouyan F, Saki A. Effect of Trigonella foenum (fenugreek) vaginal cream on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. J Family Med Prim Care. 2020;9(6):2714-2719. View abstract.

Nathan J, Panjwani S, Mohan V, Joshi V, Thakurdesai PA. Efficacy and safety of standardized extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum L seeds as an adjuvant tocL-Dopa in the management of patients with Parkinson's disease. Phytother Res 2014;28(2):172-8. View abstract.

Younesy S, Amiraliakbari S, Esmaeili S, Alavimajd H, Nouraei S. Effects of fenugreek seed on the severity and systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea. J Reprod Infertil 2014;15(1):41-8. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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FENUGREEK - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Possibly Ineffective for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with FENUGREEK

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with FENUGREEK

Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with FENUGREEK

Theophylline interacts with FENUGREEK

Clopidogrel (Plavix) interacts with FENUGREEK

Metoprolol (Toprol) interacts with FENUGREEK

Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with FENUGREEK

Sildenafil (Viagra) interacts with FENUGREEK

Dosing

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