#NaturalDIYs- Fenugreek Seeds- Benefits and 4 Easy DIY Recipes!

A warm welcome to all. I am super excited to share first post of series “Natural DIYs”. 

As I had promised, in this series, I will share some easy and useful natural DIYs for your good health, wellness and other household purposes. So, I am all set to get started with first natural DIY. In this post, I will share 4 amazing DIY remedies with fenugreek seeds.  

What is fenugreek seed? What are the health benefits? And what are some easy ways to make some amazing DIY remedies with fenugreek seeds? Read the post to know more! 

What is Fenugreek seed? 

Fenugreek seed is an integral part of almost all Indian kitchen and many of us had used it in some ways or other. As per wikipedia ,Fenugreek is an annual plant in the family Fabaceae. It is cultivated worldwide as semiarid crop. Its seeds and leaves are common ingredients in dishes from the Indian sub-continent. It is bitter in taste and usually used a routine spice for making various Indian dishes like sambhar and kadhi. 

Nutritional value 

100 gram of fenugreek seeds provide 323 kcal of food energy. It also contains 9% of water, 58% of carbohydrate. 23% of protein and 6% of fat. 

Now let’s move on the most awaiting part, “DIY’s”.  

DIY remedies with Fenugreek seeds 

Use of Fenugreek seeds for diabetes  

According to a scientific research conduct by NCBI, it has been observed that dietary supplement of 10 gram if fenugreek seed/day in prediabetes subjects was associated with lower conversion to diabetes with no adverse side effects and beneficial possibly due to decreased insulin resistance. 

Fenugreek seeds are rich in soluble fibers that helps in slow digestion and body’s absorption of carbohydrate and sugar’ 

How to use Fenugreek seeds for treating diabetes  

The use of fenugreek seeds for diabetes in very simple. You have to soak 10 grams of fenugreek seeds in water overnight, and drink the water in morning. And remaining seeds can be used in various other dishes. Alternatively, you can soak fenugreek seeds in hot water for 3-4 hours and can drink the water for same purpose.  

Another method, you can make a powder of fenugreek seeds. First dry roast it for 8-10 minutes. When it gets cool down, grind it and make a powder. Sieve the powder to get a finer end product.  use this powder ( up to 10 gram ) in the morning empty with Luke warm water. 

Precautions 

Though small amount of fenugreek (10 gm) is usually considered as a safe option but it can cause some kind of side effects in susceptible individuals such as gas, bloating or allergic reactions. 

Also, fenugreek seeds can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in diabetic people, if they are already taking recommended dose of diabetes medication. It is best to discuss with your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet or medication.  

Personal experience 

My father is diabetic and he is using fenugreek seed powder since long years (of course, after consulting his physician). Regular consumption of fenugreek seeds helped him in keeping his digestion good, and also worked well in diabetes management. 

Use of Fenugreek seeds for making hair mask 

Fenugreek seeds are rich in protein, vitamins and iron. This impressive nutritional profile makes these seeds a perfect option for giving excellent nourishment to hair. Fenugreek seeds hair mask useful in treating hair loss and reducing dandruff. It also works as a great natural conditioner and give smooth texture and extra shine to your hair. 

How to make Fenugreek seed hair mask 

Ingredients 

• 2 tbsp Fenugreek seeds or ready-made Fenugreek seed powder 2-3 TBSP (you can adjust quantity as per your hair length and volume) 
• Water as needed 
• Coconut oil or olive oil (1 teaspoon) 
• Yogurt or coconut milk (1-2 TBSP) 

How to make it 

First method 

• First take fenugreek seeds and grind them in a mixer or grinder. Take required quantity of fenugreek seeds in a bowl and mixed with curd. Try to use whole fat and preferably homemade yogurt. Mix both things properly and cover it with a lid, and put this for rest for 2-3 hours.  
• After two-three hours, remove the lid and again mixed both things. Add 1 teaspoon coconut or olive oil. Add little quantity of filtered water if needed. Your fenugreek seed hair mask is ready to use.  
• Instead of yogurt, you can use coconut milk too. Or you can make this hair mask, just by using filtered water. It works equally well with all things. 

Second method 

• As an alternate method, you can soke fenugreek seeds in hot water for 3-4 water or overnight, grind the soaked seeds as a semi-solid paste by adding little water as a time. After grinding add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and curd if you want. Mixed everything well. Your fenugreek hair mask is ready to use. 

Now, apply this paste on your scalp and hair properly. After applying paste, you may wear a cap. Leave this mask on scalp for 20-30 minutes and then wash your hairs with mild shampoo. You will get smooth, shiny hair with this amazing hair mask. 

Personal experience 

I had used this mask personally, and loved the end results as smooth, shiny hair but this hair mask has one draw-back, the particles of fenugreek seeds may get stuck to your scalp and you need to put extra efforts to take out it. 

Fenugreek oil 

This one is another easy and effective DIY with fenugreek seeds. Hair fall is one of the most common problem that affects large number of populations. Using natural and chemical free product is effective way to control and treat hair related issues. 

According to Ayurveda, “Fenugreek oil” has immense potential for treating hair problems. It keeps your scalp healthy and disease free, and helps in reducing hair fall, dandruff and other issues related to hair health. 

After knowing all these benefits, I had decided to make this oil at home. 

There are various methods to make fenugreek oil and you can use other herbs and ingredients (like Heena, amla powder) too, to make it more effective.  

As I was trying this “Hair oil” making first time at home, so I had preferred to keep the method simple. Here is the easiest one method.  

Ingredients 

• Coconut oil (you can choose any other oils (like olive oil or castor oil) as per your preference) 
• Fenugreek seeds  
• One jar or bottle (to store oil) 
• Cheesecloth for staining  

Method 

• You can make fenugreek oil either by using only coconut oil or can take other oil of your choice.  I had used coconut oil only. 
• Now, take a jar or bottle and pour fenugreek seeds on last part (fill up to 1/3) 
• Next, pour the coconut oil on rest of the part. The quantity of oil and seeds will depend on size of your jar or bottle. 
• Now, wrap the bottle with a cloth and put this bottle or jar on a dark place for at least 1-3 weeks. This time duration helps in absorbing all goodness of Fenugreek seeds in coconut oil. The minimum duration is 1 week and you can extend it up to 3 weeks for getting best results. while pouring oil, keep the upper part of jar or bottle is empty. this thing will help in easy shaking.
• Shake the jar or bottle everyday by gentle tapping.  
• After your selected time duration (range from 1-3 week), stain the oil with a help of cheesecloth. Discard the seeds and store the stain oil in another jar or bottle. 
• Store this oil in refrigerator and try to use it within 1 month. Avoid putting prepared oil outside or in direct sun light. It could turn out rancid.  

Personal experience 

I had made this oil for my family this week, and I am so excited to using it. Will update post with my personal experience after using it for at least 2 months. 

Fenugreek vegetable ( methidana ki sabzi) 

This one is another interesting thing that you can make with Fenugreek seeds.

Having this sabzi, at least one in a week is a great way to include fenugreek in your diet. it is a staple dish in Rajsthan. and traditionally, it has been made by adding dates, amchur and other special spices.

But here I am sharing an easy way to make this recipe. this is my mom’s recipe and she used to make “Methidana sabzi” with this method.

Ingredients 

• Fenugreek seeds ½ cup 
• Onion ½ (optional) 
• Green chili 3-4 
• Ginger 1 teaspoon (optional) 
• Dry spices (red chili powder, turmeric powder and coriander powder) as per your taste 
• Salt as per your taste 
• Asafoetida ( hing),  Cumin and mustard seed for tempering 
• Oil as needed 
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Sugar ( optional)

Method 

• First take Fenugreek seeds and soak this in clean water for overnight or for at least 3-4 hours.  after soaking, drain out the excess water.
• Put the seeds under running tap water and wash it 3-5 minutes. this step helps in reducing bitterness.
• Now, boil the Fenugreek seeds for 15-20 minutes.
• Try to avoid stirring or too much touching while boiling. 
• This is a way to avoid bitterness in your final recipe. It usually takes 15-20 minutes to cook the Fenugreek seeds.  
• Check few seeds with a help of spoon, when seeds get tender, turn off the gas.  
• Stain the extra water and put your pot under the running tap water for few minutes. 
• After that take out Fenugreek seeds in a pot. 
• Now, heat the oil and add hing, cumin and mustard seeds for tempering 
• Next add onion and green chilies. You may add finely chopped ginger, if you want. 
• Cook this for few minutes and wait for few minutes, until they turn transparent. 
• Next, add boiled Fenugreek seeds and mixed all the dry spices (red chilies, turmeric and coriander powder). 
• Now add salt and mixed everything properly. Cover this with a lid, and cook it for 3-4 minutes. 
• You may add lemon juice ( 1 tsp) and sugar ( 1 tsp) or as per your taste to reduce the bitterness.
• Your Fenugreek seed sabzi (methidana ki sabzi) is ready to enjoy.  
• You can garnish this with coriander leaves. 

Personal experience

I had tried this both ways ( by boiling and without boiling), but it still taste bitter. if your are someone who like to eat slightly bitter things ( like Methi ki bhaji or karela ki sabzi), then it will taste good to you. but if you did not like that kind of taste, then avoid it.

Some other ways to add Fenugreek seeds in your diet 

• Dry roast the fenugreek seeds and make a powder. You can use this powder in different curries, sabzi and dosa. 
• Sprout the fenugreek seeds and eat this as a first thing in the morning (empty stomach) to get amazing health benefits. 
• Add sprouted fenugreek seeds in salad. 

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purpose only. it did not intend to cure or treat any disease condition. always consult your doctor before taking any home remedies or making any significant changes to your diet or existing medication.

So, this is all for now. 

Have you ever tried any DIY recipes with fenugreek seeds? What was your experience? Please share with me. 

This month, I had started two new series on the blog. One is “Natural Amazing DIYs” and second “Blogging tips and tricks that actually works”, so stay tuned for both series. 

First post of #bloggingtipsandtricks is live already. click here to read it.

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Check out previous popular blog series: 

Cooking with kids  

 Healthy eating for busy moms 

Science for kids 

Diabetes awareness 

Creative kids 

Power of clean eating 

This post is also a part of blog train #LetsBlogWithPri season 2 hosted by Prisha from mummasaurus.com 

For this blog train, I want to say a big thanks to Disha from lifemyway.in  for introducing me and want to introduce next to Cindy dsilva from Blogaberry.com. 

please check out their blogs to read their awesome posts.