Trigonella foenum-graecum
Used by 4 traditions1 compound
Common Names
tcm: 胡芦巴 (Hu Lu Ba)
unani: Hulba (حلبة)
english: Fenugreek
ayurveda: मेथिका (Methika), Methi
egyptian: Hilbeh
latin_pharmaceutical: Trigonellae Foenugraeci Semen
Geographic Range: Eastern Mediterranean and South Asia (origin). Cultivated worldwide — India, Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco.
Known Contraindications
- • Hypoglycemia risk with concurrent insulin/sulfonylureas
- • Pregnancy
- • Scheduled surgery (discontinue 2 weeks prior)
- • Vata-predominant Prameha without Kapha involvement
- • Krisha (emaciated) patients
- • Pregnancy (traditionally considered an emmenagogue)
- • Concurrent hypoglycemic medication (may potentiate)
- • Hot, choleric constitutions with bilious excess
- • Amraz-e-Haar of Jigar (hot liver conditions)
- • Safra excess — may aggravate bilious conditions
- • Pregnancy (uterotonic at high doses)
- • Concurrent hypoglycemic agents (additive effect — monitor glucose)
- • Concurrent hypoglycemic medication (additive effect)
- • Pregnancy (may stimulate uterine contractions)