Psst...This Blood-Sugar-Balancing Ingredient Might Also Soothe Bloating & Painful Periods

Ever popped a turmeric supplement or maybe mixed some ashwagandha powder into your morning smoothie? Then you know the powerful healing role that herbs and spices can play in our lives. Whether it's fighting inflammation or easing stress and anxiety, these nutrient-packed remedies have offered relief to countless people for thousands of years—and now, studies are backing up their therapeutic properties.

Another potent oldie but goodie that fits the bill is fenugreek. "Fenugreek is an herb that's been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of conditions ranging from skin issues to pain, digestive ailments, and more," says Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, registered dietitian and health coach. "You'll often see it in seed or powder form."

These days, modern science is finding that fenugreek—a longtime staple in Indian, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cooking as well as ayurvedic and Chinese medicine—may actually live up to many of its ancient health claims.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), also known as methi and shambalileh, is a plant that's part of the Fabaceae (or pea) family. Native to Asia and the Mediterranean, the plant typically reaches about 2 to 3 feet tall and consists of green spear-shaped leaves and small white flowers with pods containing small, aromatic yellowish-brown seeds.

Both fenugreek leaves and seeds are edible and can be used in cooking too—their flavor is strong, a bit sweet, and a little bitter (sort of reminiscent of burnt sugar). For thousands of years, they've been ground up and incorporated into curries, chutneys, tea blends, and spice rubs. Today, they're even used to flavor imitation maple syrup.

Various cultures throughout history1 have also used fenugreek medicinally. In ayurvedic medicine, it's been praised as an aphrodisiac and digestive soother. Meanwhile, in Egypt, fenugreek seeds were used to promote milk production in lactating women and relieve menstrual cramps. Ground fenugreek has also been taken internally to induce childbirth and used externally as a poultice for soothing skin irritation and infections.

Fenugreek is jam-packed with nutrients. One tablespoon of the seeds contains 3 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, 20 percent of your daily value of iron, and 5 percent of your daily value of magnesium—all for just 36 calories. Plus, fenugreek packs a variety of health-promoting phytochemicals. "Commonly used for gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and dysmenorrhea, the seed of fenugreek contains flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, and saponins," says Ilene Ruhoy, M.D., Ph.D., an integrative neurologist. "It's these constituents that seem to offer powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-platelet activity, among other benefits."

A pre-meal swig of apple cider vinegar isn't the only thing that will help keep blood sugar levels in check. Fenugreek seems to slow the absorption of sugars in the stomach and stimulate insulin, both of which help lower blood sugar in people with (or at risk for) type 2 diabetes. "Fenugreek is high in fiber and protein, so some of its benefits, like blood sugar management and appetite control, are thought to come from that," says Cording.

Fenugreek's gel-like soluble fiber is also thought to combine with bile acid and lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels. In a recent study2, 140 subjects with prediabetes were given either a placebo or 5 grams of fenugreek seed powder twice a day before meals over the course of three years. The fenugreek group experienced a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels and post-meal blood glucose levels and a drop in LDL "bad" cholesterol. But most impressively, at the conclusion of the study, the placebo group had a 4.2 times greater chance of developing diabetes compared to the people taking fenugreek.

Dysmenorrhea (the physical pain and cramping associated with periods) has plagued women since the beginning of time. Various cultures, like the ancient Egyptians, looked to natural remedies like fenugreek and even cannabis to alleviate symptoms. Now, researchers suspect that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of fenugreek seeds may be one big reason they've stood the test of time as a natural remedy.

Long used as a digestive aid in ayurvedic medicine, fenugreek works to keep our guts happy and bowels moving in a few different ways. The most obvious way fenugreek combats constipation is with its high content of soluble fiber (3 grams per tablespoon). Soluble fiber absorbs water and adds bulk to stools, helping things move along smoothly. Since constipation often causes bloating and cramping, fenugreek may help alleviate those symptoms as well. (Want more ways to beat bloat? Try these eight science-backed tips.)

Fenugreek may also have demulcent properties, relieving irritation of the mucus membranes in the digestive tract by forming a protective film or coating of mucus over them. "Some people find that fenugreek helps with acid reflux," says Amy Shah, M.D., an immunologist and mindbodygreen Collective member. "The exact mechanisms are still a question, but it may pull lubrication into the GI tract so that both acid reflux and other stomach ailments get better." These properties may also help to prevent or heal a leaky gut.

Throughout history, fenugreek has also been applied externally9 as a way to treat wounds and furunculosis (a deep infection of the hair follicle) and soothe inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. It can either be administered as a poultice on the skin or added to a warm bath. "The seeds can be soaked overnight and made into a paste to heal inflammation on the skin such as a sunburn," suggests Shah.

Fenugreek has long been used as an aphrodisiac in ayurvedic medicine. And research now suggests that compounds from its seeds (called saponins) may stimulate production of sex hormones, including testosterone and a form of estrogen called estradiol.

Fenugreek is available in a few different forms: as whole seeds, ground powder, supplement capsules, and in teas. "For medicinal purposes, capsule formulations are the best form," says Ruhoy. That's because most brands use a standardized 500 milligrams of fractionated tempered fenugreek seeds, which is the form typically used in most studies. Plus, taking a capsule makes it easier to study any benefits you may experience, since you can keep track of how many you take much more easily than remembering how much fenugreek you sprinkled into a recipe. 

There's no single recommended or ideal dose for fenugreek, since it may vary depending on the condition you're treating. But with supplements, it's likely a good idea to start with 500 milligrams per day and work your way up to the recommended dose on the label (usually 1,000 milligrams) as long as you don't experience any adverse side effects. Of course, you should always talk with your health care provider about dosing and whether fenugreek might interact with any of your current medications.

If you don't go the supplement route, cooking with fenugreek seeds and seed powder is a simple, inexpensive way to boost your overall health and infuse some extra flavor into your meals. You can usually find them at specialty markets, and they're widely available online. Be sure to store whole and ground fenugreek in an airtight container in a cool, dry, and dark place like a pantry. Typically, this will keep them fresh for up to six months.

Here are a few recipes to start experimenting with:

Take a straight spoonful: "Overnight-soaked fenugreek seeds are my preference," says Shah. Just take a spoonful in the morning to set yourself up for optimal digestion and balanced blood sugar.

Make a soothing tea: Another simple fenugreek recipe that Shah endorses: "Mix a spoonful of the powder into warm water and drink it." Or, to up the complexity a bit, you can boil whole fenugreek seeds with a couple of cardamom pods and a chamomile tea bag for 20 minutes. Serve with honey for a little extra sweetness and to complement fenugreek's naturally maple-y taste.

Make a sprouted salad topper: You can actually sprout whole fenugreek seeds, just as you would other seeds and beans, says Shah. Simply leave them overnight in water and then change the water in the morning, repeat for 2 to 3 days until you see green sprouts, then toss them into a salad or a grain dish for added flavor and texture.

Fenugreek appears to be relatively safe in humans, and the most commonly reported side effects are minor, including gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and dizziness if taken in high amounts, says Ruhoy. Keep in mind, though, that all children should also avoid fenugreek supplements, as there's not enough evidence to establish that it's safe for them. Some evidence suggests fenugreek may worsen asthma symptoms as well. Consuming it as a flavor-boosting ingredient in foods, however, is likely safe.

If you're on diabetes, blood-thinning, or anti-platelet medication, you should only use fenugreek under the care of a physician. Fenugreek may amplify the effects of these medications, potentially dropping your blood sugar levels too low or impairing your blood's ability to clot.

Additionally, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) suggests that pregnant women should avoid fenugreek since it may affect uterine contractions. Fenugreek also influences sex hormones, including estrogen, in the body and may be unsafe for women with hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer.