Many traditional fish recipes, along with dishes like taheri (potato with a rice-based dish) are considered incomplete without a generous use of a much-loved herb — fenugreek leaves and seeds. Fenugreek is locally known as methi or methi daana. It is a flavourful herb with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Generally, both leaves and seeds are considered edible and said to possess unmatched health benefits for almost all family members. Locally, fenugreek seeds are usually one of the key ingredients used to prepare gravy, stew and other food items. Its leaves are used in main dishes made from potatoes, meat, lentils or other leafy vegetables like spinach.

Although the seeds are hard and have a tough exterior, they can still be consumed raw. Fitness enthusiasts, and those individuals controlling their weight, sprout the seeds and then consume them. These healthy fenugreek sprouts are eaten by the spoonful by many people early in the morning, while others sprinkle them over a vegetable salad or mix them with some broth or soup. Many even mix these sprouts with other vegetables to prepare curries.

Preparing these young sprouts is a very easy and simple process. Simply soak the fenugreek seeds in water overnight. After rinsing these seeds thoroughly, I suggest placing them in a soft plastic cup. Ensure there are a dozen or so breathing holes — made with the help of a fork — in the base of this plastic cup. Cover these seeds with a soaked tissue paper. This water-soaked tissue paper will continue to provide the fenugreek seeds with a moist environment, which will augment the seed germination or sprouting process. Keep this plastic cup in a cool, shady place for around three to six days.

During this period, this plastic cup can be covered with a relatively bigger plastic tub or another utensil with proper aeration. Many believe that creating such a dark environment helps the sprouts grow larger. Wash these fenugreek seeds once or twice a day by pouring water into the cup. This water will then drain through the holes in the base of the plastic cup. This minimises the risk of the seeds going bad and also the chances of the developing sprouts rotting. Furthermore, this also ensures that seeds will not get dry throughout the growing process. When growing these sprouts for the first time, I would suggest opting for a soft plastic cup that is transparent. This will help you better assess the germination and sprout development of the fenugreek seeds.

Fenugreek seeds and sprouts can help regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels

These highly nutritious and healthy sprouts are believed to have many health benefits. Though very few of these benefits are empirically proven in published research, many still blindly trust this herb to cure different ailments and medical conditions. Fenugreek is one of the oldest and most widely used herbs in traditional medicine.

Fenugreek seeds and sprouts are considered beneficial in regulating blood pressure and blood sugar levels, which makes them an important snack for those with metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The seeds are traditionally used in dermatology, cosmetics and to treat skin care conditions. From dealing with boils on the skin to ensuring black, long, shiny black hair, fenugreek may be the answer to most dermatological issues.

There is a strong belief that consuming fenugreek seeds helps to relieve menstrual pain and childbirth pain. It also helps improve milk production and ease milk flow for those women who are breastfeeding. Similarly, it is also considered to boost testosterone levels among males.

As aforementioned, the addition of a spoonful of fenugreek sprouts to a daily dietary routine can go a long way, especially for those who are trying to control their weight or have any other metabolic disorders. It helps decrease appetite, reduces inflammation and improves overall immunity. Finally, it is considered a rich source of iron, manganese and magnesium, along with many other minerals and vitamins. Needless to say, whenever a new snack or meal is added to your daily intake, never abstain from discussing it with your physician beforehand, especially if you are afflicted with a health condition.

Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening

Published in Dawn, EOS, October 22nd, 2023