Description:

Fenugreek is an annual plant in the family Fabaceae, with leaves consisting of three small obovate to oblong leaflets. It is widely planted as a semiarid crop. Its seeds and its leaves are common ingredients in dishes from South Asia. The seeds of fenugreek (Hu Lu Ba, 胡芦巴, 苦豆) is used in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) as a kidney enhancer (it promotes vitality and sexual energy), expectorant and dampness eliminator.

Odour & Nature:

Bitter, warm-natured,

Channels:

Fenugreek seeds functions by influencing the kidney.

Indications & Formulas:

Powdered fenugreek seeds (fried) is taken with anisette to treat hernia in small intestine.

Pills made with fenugreek seeds (fried), processed radix aconiti carmichaeli, sulphur and wine is taken orally to cope with a lump in the abdomen.

Powdered fenugreek seeds (soaked in wine and calcined), seed of Indian trumetflower and papaya are made into pills for oral taking to relieve knee pain resulted from a sudden injury, an overuse injury, or by an underlying condition, such as arthritis.

A decoction of fenugreek seeds is used as a kidney enhancer (it promotes vitality and sexual energy).

Application in Modern Medicine:

Recent researches showed that fenugreek contains choline, it may not only help slow mental aging, but also calm PMS and symptoms of menopause. Fenugreek is also considered an aphrodisiac, and plenty of studies tout its ability to increase libido in men. There are also those who attribute to fenugreek the ability to promote breast growth in women, although no studies prove it decisively.

List of reference

mercola.com 2017 What Is Fenugreek Good For? [online] via: http://foodfacts.mercola.com/fenugreek.html

The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.

The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.

Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.