The true benefits of fenugreek lie in its long history of medical uses. For centuries, spanning Ayurvedic, traditional Chinese Medicine and folk medicine, fenugreek has been used all over the world. Fenugreek has so many usages - almost too numerous to count, however, scientists have been able to narrow down fenugreek top two functions. Fenugreek has the ability to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol. With its ability to lower blood sugar, fenugreek may hold a special interest by people who suffer from diabetes.

Fenugreek has been traced back over 1000 B.C., which makes it one of the oldest cultivated plants dating back as far as Egyptian texts. These texts detailed how fenugreek was used in the embalming and mummification process. History has shown that fenugreek is truly a multi-purpose herb; fenugreek has also been used as an aphrodisiac, used to enhance the appeal of stale grass to livestock, can be brewed like coffee, and once used as a yellow die for clothing.

For thousands of years, fenugreek has been used for its healing properties in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Far East. Fenugreeks therapeutic usages included arthritis, hair loss, male reproductive support, kidney health, wound healing, and much more. Chinese herbalists prize fenugreek as a "Warming" herb that can stimulate digestion. Fenugreek is also widely used today by lactating mothers to increase milk production.

Fenugreek seed contains nearly 25% galactomannan which is a type of natural soluble fiber that can benefit your health. One of these health benefits includes a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Fenugreek seeds, galactomannan, can slow digestion which in turn slows glucose absorption and stabilize blood sugar levels. Another benefit of fenugreek seed is its appetite suppressing ability. The galactomannan fiber can swell in the stomach and make you feel full reducing the amount of food one consumes.

Fenugreek has many amino acids but the most abundant amino acid is 4-hydroxyisoleucine. This amino acid has shown to stimulate the pancreas to release insulin (Diabetes 1998). Insulin causes blood sugar to drop which may help ease diabetic symptoms. Fenugreek also regulates blood sugar through the enzymes sucrase and alpha-amylase. By inhibiting these two enzymes, fenugreek can help slow the break down of carbohydrates into sugar further reducing blood sugar levels in the body.

In 2003, Alternative Medicine Review published some research showing how fenugreek supplementation in type II diabetics lowered total cholesterol, lowered LDL cholesterol, and lowered triglycerides or blood fat as well as ease the symptoms of diabetes. In 1991, Phytotherapy Research published research showing similar results on non-diabetics.

The next time you are eating out at an Indian restaurant and biting down in some curry, try and narrow out the taste of fenugreek. To fully reap the benefits of fenugreek you need to stop into you're your online internet vitamin store and pick up a bottle of standardized fenugreek to truly experience the herbs blood sugar and cholesterol lowering properties.