This article was co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
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Fenugreek is an herb that may help to treat diabetes by lowering blood sugar after meals. You can use fenugreek to help lower blood sugar after meals by taking supplements, adding fenugreek to recipes, or by drinking it as a tea. Always make sure to talk to your doctor before adding any herbal medicines to your regimen, especially if you are already taking medications for diabetes, and be aware that fenugreek alone is not an adequate treatment for diabetes.[1]
Steps
Using Fenugreek
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1Talk to your doctor before adding fenugreek to your diet. Fenugreek interacts with a variety of medications prescribed for diabetes as well as some blood thinners.[2] For this reason, it is essential that you check with your doctor before adding fenugreek to your regimen. It may interfere with the medications that you are taking to help treat diabetes as well as other conditions.
- Always check with your doctor first before discontinuing or adding any medication or supplement.
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2Consider the dose range for fenugreek. The recommended dosage for fenugreek is between 2.5–15 grams (0.09–0.5 oz) daily, so it is important to talk to your doctor about your intentions and ask for a recommendation based on your weight and other factors. You may also want to consult an experienced herbalist or naturopath.[3]
- The most common dose used in studies was 12.5 grams (0.4 oz) of powdered fenugreek taken twice daily. However, some studies have shown benefit from taking only 2.5 grams (0.09 oz) twice daily.[4]
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3Choose a high-quality fenugreek supplement. Some people do not like the taste of fenugreek seeds, so capsules are often recommended. If you choose to take fenugreek in supplement form, make sure that the product you choose is of high quality. The packaging should provide: [5]
- Realistic information about the effects of taking the supplement
- Information such as dosage recommendations, side effects, and ingredients
- A label that is easy to read and understand
- Company information such as a phone number, mailing address, or website.
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4Add fenugreek to food. Some people do like the taste of fenugreek and may opt to add the seeds to food. You can seek out recipes that include fenugreek or simply sprinkle the seeds on your food as a garnish. Keep in mind that you should still follow your doctor’s recommendations for healthy eating. When adding fenugreek to food, 15 grams (0.53 oz) was a common dosage in some studies.[6]
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5Drink fenugreek with hot water. Making a fenugreek tea seems to produce the best results according to some studies. One study showed no significant results for patients who took fenugreek with yogurt, while those who took fenugreek with hot water experienced significant improvement. Participants in this study consumed a total of 10 grams (0.35 oz) of fenugreek per day.[7]
- Crush or pulverize 2.5 grams (0.09 oz) of fenugreek seeds using a mortar and pestle or food processor. Then, add the seeds to a mug and pour eight ounces of boiling water over them. Stir well with a spoon. Then wait for the mixture to cool to drinking temperature and enjoy.
Knowing What to Expect
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1Keep in mind that only a few studies have looked at fenugreek’s effects. Although fenugreek seems to be an effective way to reduce blood sugar levels after a meal, only a handful of studies have found this to be true so far. Therefore, it is still important to work with your physician to treat your diabetes.[8]
- Fenugreek alone will not treat diabetes. Diabetics must follow a careful diet, monitor blood sugar levels closely, and do other things such as get regular exercise. Taking fenugreek does not mean you can stop doing any of these things.
- Make sure that you still take your regular diabetes medications as prescribed by your doctor.
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2Be aware that you may have some side effects. Fenugreek is considered as “likely safe” for adults when you use it in amounts that are common for food. But it is considered "possibly safe" when taken as a supplement. During this time, you may experience some gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea, gas, and upset stomach. You may also experience some respiratory side effects such as congestion, wheezing, and coughing.[9]
- Do not take fenugreek for more than six months.
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3Know when to avoid using fenugreek. Fenugreek is not considered to be safe for pregnant women and children. Do not take fenugreek if you are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant. Do not give fenugreek to children either, as some children have passed out from taking fenugreek.[10]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhere can I buy fenugreek capsules?
Chris M. Matsko, MDDr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
Family Medicine PhysicianI would go to my local health food store or GNC and talk with people there to find the most popular and effective brands of fenugreek. -
QuestionIs taking fenugreek helpful for a diabetes patient?Chris M. Matsko, MDDr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
Family Medicine PhysicianFenugreek alone will not stop or cure diabetes. Make sure that you take your medication as prescribed in order to remain healthy and keep you HBA1C low.
Warnings
- Remember to talk to your doctor before adding fenugreek to your regimen. Do not discontinue use of your prescriptions without consulting your doctor first.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ http://www.diabetes.co.uk/natural-therapies/fenugreek.html
- ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/d04492a1
- ↑ https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/d04492a1
- ↑ https://nccih.nih.gov/health/fenugreek
- ↑ http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/complementary_and_alternative_medicine/herbal_medicine_85,P00181/
- ↑ http://www.diabetes.co.uk/natural-therapies/fenugreek.html
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19839001
- ↑ https://nccih.nih.gov/health/fenugreek
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-733-fenugreek.aspx?activeingredientid=733&activeingredientname=fenugreek
About This Article
To use fenugreek for diabetes, try adding about 15 grams of the seeds to food to disguise the taste. Alternatively, you can make fenugreek tea by pulverizing about 2.5 grams with a mortar and pestle and mixing it with a mug of boiling water. You can also get fenugreek supplements to avoid the unpleasant taste entirely. However, you should make sure to consult your doctor before introducing fenugreek to your diet, since it interacts with a variety of medications commonly prescribed for diabetes. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to know when you should avoid using fenugreek, read on!
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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