Dr. M. Laiq Ahmed Khan
Fenugreek
(Methi) is cultivated throughout the country and used as
vegetable in various eatables. It is used in Europe,
America and Australia as well. Fresh Methi vegetable
does not contain any smell but after drying, it becomes
fragrant and possesses a specific type low grade smell.
Methi from Qasoor in Punjab is very famous in its
fragrance throughout the country and known as Qasoori
Methi.
Qasim Bin Abdul Rahman narrates that
Rasool Allah (saw) stated “Get cure from Methi (Hulba)”
Ibn-al-Qayyim
After the victory of Makkah, when
Hazrat Sad Bin Abi Waqqas fell ill then Haris Bin Kaldah,
a renowned and well qualified physician of that time
directed to prepare “Fariqa” for him by boiling the
dates and barley gruel in the Methi water and directed
that if be given to the patient luke-warmed with honey
morning and evening. This recipe was presented before
Nabi-e-Akram (saw). He liked that and the patient got
cured. The scholars of Hadith have an opinion that figs
might be used in place of dates. But both can’t be taken
together. Another narration reveals that the recipe
contained the Mulethi (Liquorrice) also.
According to the scholars of Al-Hadith
the __decoction of Methi seeds is highly beneficial for
sore throat, throat pain and Tonsillitis, relieves
Dyspnoea (Breathlessness) and the severity of cough. It
also relieves the hyper acidity and stomach burning.
This action of Methi is highly significant because all
the drugs used for cough produce irritation in the
stomach, whereas this relieves the cough without
producing irritation in the stomach and might be used
safely on patients suffering from cough along with
dyspepsia. It relieves the complaints associated with
haemorrhoides. The decoction or the fine powder of methi
seeds is an established remedy for dandruff. It tones up
the hair and the hair becomes silky and shiny. Fine
powder of methi seeds mixed with honey-bee wax relieves
chest pain if applied locally.
The chemical composition of methi
seeds depicts that it contains proteins and Amino acids
in such a ratio comparable to milk. Besides phosphates,
it contains an organic form of iron which is easily
absorbable through gastro-intestinal tract. It contains
several Alkaloids but Trigonelline is an important one.
The salts relieve the inflammation of urinary tract
infections. On the basis of its chemical composition, it
can be used as an expectorant. In the cases of
Nephritis, when dieuresis becomes least, it is a good
remedy to increase dieuresis. 5gm of methi seeds powder
if taken with water is highly beneficial in dysentery
and diarrhoea. The lukewarm decoction of Methi seeds if
taken with honey is beneficial in cough and increases
urination. It is also a good appetiser and might be used
in dyspepsia and anorexia. It also increases milk
secretion when it is deficient.
It is a source of iron and B-complex,
hence can be used in general weakness. It is also
reported that continuous use of methi seeds is also
significant in the treatment of haemorrhoids. The recent
studies show that it is a good remedy for diabetes
mellitus.
Several patients who were having
raised blood glucose level and were treated with the
formulation comprising methi seeds, kalonji and
tukhm-e-kasni improved significantly and the blood
glucose level became normal. Some patients of NIDDM were
also treated with methi seeds, Berg-e-Neem and Kalonji
and showed very good response. Methi seed is also useful
in chronic dysentery and peptic ulcer.
Fenugreek
(Methi)