METHI

Latin name: Trigonella foenum

Family:-  Fabaceae

Sanskrit Name :-

• Bahupatrika – Numerous leaves and twigs
• Peetha beeja – Yellow seed
• Bahubeeja – Numerous seed
• Gandhaphala – Peculiar odour
• Deepani, Bodhani, Ugra – Improves taste digestive
• Methika – Which improves medha

Vernacular Names:-

• Hindi name – Methi
• English name – Fenugreek
• Marathi name – Methi

Classification :-

• Bhavprakash – Haritakyadi Varga.
• Dhanvantari Nighantu – Suvarnadi Varga
• Raja Nighantu – Pippalyadi varga

Habitat:-This herb is commonly found in South and Central Asia.

• Morphology:-Herb.The compound leaf with more leaf lets.Municchada The compound leaf with its leaflets having similarity with Agasti leaf.Flowers arranged in a bunch and they are beautiful. The fruit contain many seeds.  Seeds posses distinct odour. Yellow colour seeds.Fruits are having aroma.

Part used :- Seeds , leaves

Rasa panchak :-

Rasa –Katu , Tikta

Virya – Ushna

Vipak – Katu

Guna – Laghu , Snigdha

Balances Kapha and Vata dosha

Chemical composition:- Fenugreek herb contain chemical composition like diosgenin, gitogenin, tetosides, graceunin A, B, C, H, I, J, K, L, M, trigofoenosides, choline, trigonelline, yamogenin, neotigogens, and tigogenin etc. It contains nutritional contents like thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, B6, vitamins A, C, and K, copper, calcium, selenium, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and potassium.

Karma:-Vatahara ,  Kaphahara – balances Kapha, useful in productive cough, asthma, bronchitis, chest Congestion

Raktapitta -Bleeding disorders

Deepani – improves digestion strength , Improves breast milk secretion. Hence, its seed paste or powder 5 – 10 grams, – once or twice a day, is administered to the lactating mother.          Aruchi anorexia

Prameha – Urinary tract disorders

There are many cases in which Fenugreek herb causes side-effects that are mentioned below:

• Patients facing nasal bleeding and heavy menstrual problem should avoid this herb.
• Fenugreek herb is not safe during pregnancy. It can be taken in very small dosage by a pregnant women.

Therapeutic action :-

1. 10 gram fine powder of fenugreek is administered along with warm water (orButtermilk), daily. 5 grams 2 times a day can also be administered. This reduces cholesterol significantly. 20-30 days’ administration determines the benefit.

2. Equal quantity of fenugreek and turmeric are taken and fine powder is made. This is administered in the dose of 5 gram daily along with water, preferably in empty stomach. This is effective in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus.

3. 3-5 gram of seeds are soaked in water overnight. Next day morning this is macerated well and fine paste is made. As it contains mucilage, it helps in soothing the gastrointestinal inflammation by coating the lining of the stomach and intestine; After maceration it is consumed as it is. Or, half a cup of water can be added to it and can be consumed, 30 minutes before food. It relieves the reflux esophagitis

4.5-8 gram of fenugreek seeds are soaked in water overnight. Next day this is cooked well with 200 ml of milk. If one likes, jaggery can be added. This helps to increase breast milk production and hence recommended to the lactating mothers.

5. 5-10 gram seeds are taken and cooked well with a cup of water and decoction is made. This is consumed while it is lukewarm along with half spoon of ghee. This eases the bowel and hence relieves constipation as well as hemorrhoids. gastritis.

Formulation :-       Mustharishtam

                         Dhanwanthararishtam

                         Liverson tablets

Doses :-

1. 1)General adult dose according to the Sharangadhara Samhita Madhyama Khandaswarasa is ½ pala or 2 tolas (24 gms)
2. Kwatha is 2 pala or 8 tolas (96 ml)
3. choorna is 1 karsha or 1 tola (12 gms).
4. The accepted dose of the drug Methika according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopia of India is as follows. Choorna : 3-6 grams
5. According to the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu : Choorna- 3-6 gms.
6. According to Nighantu Adarsha– Choorna( powder ) -6-12 grams

   Swarasa (juice extract) – 12 ml.

कुञ्चिका बहुपर्णी च पित्तजिद्वानुद्विधा ||८४||

मेथिका वातशमनी श्लेष्मघ्नी ज्वरनाशिनी |

ततः स्वल्पगुणा बल्या वाजिनां सा तु पूजिता ||८५ || (भवप्रकाश निघंटु)

मेथिका कटुरुष्णा च रक्तपित्तप्रकोपनी ।

अरोचहरा दीप्तिकरी वातप्रणाशिनी ||१०५ ||

मेथिका वास्तिका सेलुरहित्यो वनमेथिका |

अहित्योऽल्पगुणस्तस्या वाजिनामस्तु पूजितः ||१०६|| (धन्वन्तरिनिघंटु)

मेथिका कटुरुष्णा चरक्तपित्तप्रकोपनी ।

अरोचहरादीप्तिकरा वातघ्नदीपनी || ६९|| (राजनिघण्टु)

Composed By:-  Vaishnavi Tandon

Guided By:- Dr. Abhijeet Shirkande

Dr. Ankita Shirkande