Miracle Cure: Fenugreek

It's been about 2 - 3 weeks since my mom started to drink Fenugreek tea regularly.

In January, she had a stress test at the hospital where they checked the blood flow in her legs. Her left leg was giving her problems. She complained about pain and numbness in her lower left leg.

In February we went to see her Vascular doctor for a follow up and to see what the doctor had to say about her test results. He told us that her left groin artery, which already has a stent in it from 1997, was 90% blocked and this was causing the pain and numbness. He also told us that after the stress test where they had her walk for a short time (I don't remember how long the test was), her arteries opened up and dropped to 30%. The blood flowed better after she exercised.

Since that time, my mom has been walking about 15 minutes a day on the treadmill. Initially, she started slow, 5 minutes, 7... until she reached 15 minutes. It took weeks to build up to 15 minutes but now she can do it without any problem.

The numbness and pain have also left.

In addition to walking, my mom's also been drinking Fenugreek tea (very important fact so I'm repeating it.)

Today, we saw a specialist who we were talking to about having her stent replaced. He looked over the test results and what the Vascular doctor had recommended. As he left the room, he had my mom change into a johny gown.

The doctor had Josie lay on the table, he put his hands on her feet to feel her pulse. It was strong. The pulse was strong in her left foot. This didn't add up to the test results.

The doctor had a puzzled look on his face. He then took out his stethescope and listened to her foot, yup, strong pulse. He then listened to the pulse in her groin where the stent was put in 12 years ago, it too had a strong pulse. He was SHOCKED. I so wish I had a camera to capture the expression on his face. Instead, it is forever burned in my mind.

The doctor then said, "You know, I was walking down the hall, returning to the room and I was full prepared to recommend replacing your stent. (He had given us other potential solutions before he had left the room the first time.)But, they are strong. You don't have any symptoms to indicate that you need to do anything. I am treating you, the patient and not the numbers so I'm recommending that we do nothing."

My mom was soooooooo happy. The doctor then looked at me and I started to tell him what had changed.

I didn't tell him about the Fenugreek tea. I did tell him about her diet change and her increased activity. It still didn't seem to add up in his mind. I told him that I'm gathering data now to write a book on how I was able to help my mom. I also told him that I've got this blog. I didn't give him the address. I wasn't sure he'd be open to natural medicine.

I rushed home from the doctor this morning because I needed to look up Fenugreek and how it benefits arteries... my God... the stuff is good for EVERYTHING!

Here's what I found about arteries -

Uses.

In medicinal uses a preparation where seeds are soaked in water until they swell and form a thick paste is used to prevent fevers, is comforting to the stomach and has been utilized in diabetes. In combination with conventional medicine e.g. insulin, it is helpful in gout, diabetes and neurasthenia.

The saponins are thought to inhibit cholesterol absorption and synthesis, and may also have a positive effect on blood sugar control in people who suffer from diabetes. In terms of weight control, the soluble fibre in fenugreek seeds can reduce dietary fat absorption by binding to fatty acids as well as create a sensation of "fullness" and reduced appetite. Thus it is a good agent for reducing serum cholesterol.

The herb affects cholesterol levels in the same fashion as Pectin. Fenugreek also contains saponins. The saponin-containing plant fibres could inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol much the same as Alfalfa saponins do (i.e. by absorbing bile acids and increasing the loss of bile acids by fecal excretion, which then leads to an increased conversion of cholesterol into bile acid by the liver).



It is a very well known galactogogue, which is widely used in folk medicine from a very long time ago.

Fenugreek seeds are also considered one of the cleansing herbs used on the body to eliminate built up waste materials, toxins and fat from the arteries.

Fenugreek is also used in anaemia as it contains good amount of vitamin B. Also used in rickets and scrofula.



Alcoholic tinctures are used to prepare emollient cream, ointments and plasters while the mucilage is use externally as a poultice for skin infections such as abscesses, boils and carbuncles.

It is administered as a poultice, ointment, infusion or tincture.



Fenugreek is very widely used as culinary herb and considered safe as a food supplement. It is used as a flavoring for both human and animal feed. However, because fenugreek has potential uterine stimulating properties which could potentially lead to miscarriage, it should not be used during pregnancy in any form.