What is fenugreek?
Fenugreek is a popular herb in Arabic regions and India. The scientific name of fenugreek is Trigonella foenum-graecum. The Greek word Trigonella refers to the flowers’ “3-angled” shape, and the term foenum-graecum means “Greek hay.” In Hindi, fenugreek is called “methi”. In India, fenugreek has traditionally been used as food and in medicines and is known for its various health benefits.
Fenugreek has known to confer many health benefits
Many times, you may have seen people around advising someone with diabetes to consume fenugreek seeds early in the morning for better glucose control
OR
An old grandmother advising a new mother to consume more of fenugreek leaves for better breastmilk production for her new born.
Well, these are not myths. Fenugreek does have these advantages when taken in right amounts. So let us understand the varied advantages of fenugreek below:
- for maintaining blood glucose levels in diabetes
- for management of dyslipidemia
- libido enhancing effect
- as a lactation and appetite stimulant
- for treatment of weakness and leg oedema,
- as a remedy for indigestion
- Some also use it topically for myalgia, wound treatment, and cellulitis.
One of the widely known benefits of fenugreek with substantial research is counteracting hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia associated with chronic conditions as diabetes and obesity. However, the not so popularly discussed but substantially researched benefit of fenugreek is its role in sexual wellness. Fenugreek enhances male as well as female sexual health. Fenugreek has traditionally also been used to enhance libido and masculinity in men.
Sexual health in the Indian context
Sexual health is a crucial aspect of good health. In India, it is still not a well-recognised and freely discussed public health problem. Poor sexual health can adversely affect the quality of life of males as well as females. There is a dearth of data regarding sexual dysfunction among males and females in India.
However, in a study in the Southern part of India, premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction were reported by 43.0% and 47.8% of men, respectively. Another community-based study on men aged 18-60 years in India reported that the most commonly reported sexual disorder among men was self-perceived defect in semen (64.4%), followed by loss of libido (21%), masturbation guilt (20.8%), erectile dysfunction (5%), and premature ejaculation (4.6%).
There is further paucity of data regarding the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction among Indian females. A study with 155 women reported that 55.5% women of the total 155 subjects had one or the other sexual dysfunction. There are issues like low sexual desire, low arousal, lubrication issues, difficulties in attaining orgasm and satisfaction in females.
Fenugreek and sexual wellness in men
The active ingredient in fenugreek called ‘Testofen’ improves testosterone levels and libido in men.
In a randomised double-blind trial, healthy males aged 25-52 years without erectile dysfunction when administered 600 mg of Testofen ‘fenugreek extract’ experienced increased arousal and libido.
Similarly, in healthy middle-aged and older men aged 43-70 years, 600mg of Testofen extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed for 12 weeks was shown to be safe and effective. It was also shown to reduce symptoms of possible androgen deficiency, improved sexual function and increased serum testosterone levels.
Fenugreek and sexual wellness in women
Fenugreek extracts also helps enhance female sexual health and can help resolve female sexual dysfunctions.
A double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study on 80 women, aged 20 to 49 years evaluated the effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seed extract on sex hormones and sexual function in healthy menstruating women who reported low sexual drive. The study reported that fenugreek was beneficial in increasing sexual arousal and desire in women. There was also increase in the estradiol (E2) levels and free testosterone levels in these women. Estradiol is the free form of estrogen which stimulates blood flow to the vagina and lubrication. This could explain the reason for increased sexual arousal in the study group.
Fenugreek has been used in our tradition since olden times and provides important health benefits.
Fenugreek extract, when taken in the appropriate dosage and with the right active ingredient can have promising results in enhancing male as well as female sexual wellness.
If you are looking for solutions to your sexual health issues as discussed above, try the Good Nutrition Enhance and Elevate Sexual Wellness Tablet for men and for women which is formulated with the clinically tested ingredient ‘Testofen’ from fenugreek along with other adaptogens suitable for men and women.