Fenugreek Tea: Benefits, Side Effects, And How To Make It

Fenugreek tea benefits are gaining the attention of many health enthusiasts today. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is one of the most widely used spices in Indian cuisine. It offers many health benefits and was used to treat many health ailments in alternative medicine. Today, its tea is being popularized.

Claims associate this tea with weight loss, better heart health, enhanced digestion, and reduced inflammation.

Know what research says about these benefits. We also have included a fenugreek tea recipe for you. Continue reading.

Know Your Ingredient: Fenugreek Tea

What Is It?
A light yellow-colored and slightly bitter-tasting liquid made by boiling fenugreek seeds.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may help alleviate inflammation and improve digestion, cardiovascular health, and brain health.

Who Can Consume It?
Anyone except people who are on anticoagulant medication.

How Often?
It can be consumed daily in moderation.

Caution
Overdose may lead to pregnancy complications and a dip in blood glucose levels.

What Are The Benefits Of Taking Fenugreek Tea?

1. May Improve Heart Health

Fenugreek tea may lower the levels of cholesterol, which is one of the largest contributors to heart disease. A study shows that taking fenugreek every day can lower blood cholesterol in patients with coronary artery diseaseⁱ  XA disease affecting the heart where the arteries supplying blood to the heart are blocked due to plaque buildup.  (1).

As per some rat studies, this can be attributed to the ability of fenugreek to increase the levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione, which is known to boost heart health (2).

2. May Aid Digestion

Fenugreek contains water-soluble fiber, which helps treat constipation (3). In fact, fenugreek seeds and its tea have anti-ulcer properties and thus make for a great treatment option for ulcerative colitisⁱ  XA chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes painful open sores and inflammation of the digestive tract. and irritable bowel syndrome (4).

The tea has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat digestive issues (5). Some believe that taking the tea after meals can aid digestion.

Trivia

Helba tea is a popular Egyptian tea made from crushed fenugreek seeds. This drink is consumed during the winter months.

3. May Help Fight Inflammation

Fenugreek contains linolenic and linoleic acids, both of which offer anti-inflammatory benefits (6). Traditional Chinese medicine also considers fenugreek a powerful inflammation fighter.

Moreover, the tea can act as an anti-arthritic as it has similar effects on arthritisⁱ  XA common condition that affects the joints and damages the cartilage, resulting in pain, inflammation, and difficulty in movement. symptoms as well. In an Indian study, fenugreek was found to have beneficial effects on arthritic rats (7).

Other research also suggests that fenugreek mimics estrogen. It can help reduce the risk of auto-immune conditionsⁱ  XA condition where the body attacks one’s own immune system by killing or attacking the healthy cells. (arthritisⁱ  XA common condition that affects the joints and damages the cartilage, resulting in pain, inflammation, and difficulty in movement. is one of them) (8).

4. May Promote Weight Loss

Some rat studies have shown that fenugreek seed extract can inhibit fat accumulation and help reverse high-fat levels (9). Another study showed that the intake of this metabolism booster concoction could decrease fat consumption, even in healthy adults (10). This way, the seeds could help aid weight loss.

5. May Aid Diabetes Treatment

The soluble fiber in fenugreek can lower blood sugar levels. It achieves this by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates (11).

An Iranian study states that taking fenugreek can have beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes (12). The study suggests that taking fenugreek seeds soaked in hot water (as tea) may help in this regard.

6. May Boost Brain Function

A compound in fenugreek (called trigonelline) was found to have brain-boosting effects (13). Further research suggests that the tea may slow down the progression of age-related memory loss and improve cognitive function. It may also reduce the risk of brain ailments like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (14).

Fenugreek tea can also reduce aluminum toxicity, thereby preventing brain disease (14).

7. May Enhance Male Sexual Health

Supplementation with fenugreek seeds showed increased testosterone levels in male subjects. These not only improved their resistance training but also seemed to enhance their libido (15).

Other preliminary studies show that the intake of fenugreek can improve sexual arousal, energy, and stamina in men. It also helps men maintain their normal healthy testosterone levels (16).

8. May Be Beneficial During Breastfeeding

According to a study, fenugreek seeds are among the most potent herbal galactagogues (substances that promote lactation in humans and other animals) (17). The tea could be a healthy addition to the diet for promoting breast milk production.

9. May Offer Respiratory Relief

Fenugreek tea was believed to have been used by the Egyptians thousands of years ago for relieving respiratory ailments. Studies show that the aqueous extracts of fenugreek seeds can help treat asthma (18).

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the tea may also heal a sore throat. However, more research is warranted in this regard.

10. May Fight Premature Aging

Fenugreek tea, especially the one made from germinated seeds, exhibits higher antioxidant activity (19). Antioxidants help prevent the symptoms of photo-induced aging of the skin (20). Hence, this tea can be beneficial as an anti-aging solution.

11. May Treat Dandruff

Fenugreek extracts have antifungal properties. In studies, fenugreek leaf extract was used to treat seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff (21). You may also use the tea for this purpose. Once you are done shampooing, rinse your hair with the tea. You can also rinse your hair with the tea after using the conditioner.

12. May Improve Liver Health

Fenugreek has anti-hyperglycemic effects and may help with insulin sensitivity. It also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective capabilities. As a result, it could be utilized to treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (22). However, more research is needed to confirm these effects and to determine the optimal dose and duration of use. As with any herbal supplement or alternative therapy, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional before using fenugreek tea or any other supplement for liver health.

13. May Help In Detoxification

Fenugreek tea is often suggested as a natural remedy for detoxification due to its potential diuretic and antioxidant properties. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of fenugreek tea for detoxification purposes.

These are the ways fenugreek tea can improve your health and life. In the following section, we have discussed how to make the tea at home.

How To Make Fenugreek Tea

Making fenugreek tea is simple. You need a few fenugreek seeds. Follow the procedure given below:

1. Crush the seeds with a mortar and pestle.
2. Boil water in a kettle. Pour it into a teapot or a container.
3. Add the crushed fenugreek seeds. You can also add other herbs and loose tea leaves.
4. Cover and steep the seeds for about 3 minutes.
5. Strain through a tea strainer into a cup or another container.
6. You can also sweeten with honey or stevia.
7. Drink the tea hot or cold.

Quick Tip

You can add herbs like dried tulsi, lemon verbena, nettle, or red raspberry leaves to your tea to increase its medicinal value.

What Are The Side Effects Of Fenugreek Tea?

• Issues During Pregnancy

According to rat studies, consuming fenugreek seeds during pregnancy may cause growth retardation in the child. The seeds may also alter the neurobehavioral performance of the child (23). The impact of the seeds/tea on human pregnancies is yet to be studied. Hence, stay safe and avoid use if you are pregnant.

• May Lower Blood Sugar Way Too Much

As fenugreek can lower blood sugar, taking the tea along with blood sugar or diabetes medications may cause problems. Limited research is available in this aspect. However, please check with your doctor before consuming the tea.

• Allergies

Though fenugreek allergies are rare, a couple of individuals reported experiencing allergies after consuming fenugreek. The allergic symptoms included wheezing, fainting, head numbness, and facial swelling (24). Hence, if you have a food allergy, exercise caution before taking fenugreek tea.

Infographic: Important Benefits Of Drinking Fenugreek Tea

As we know drinking fenugreek tea has many health benefits and helps in treating so many ailments. It’s fiber-rich and has antioxidant properties, antibacterial properties, and antiviral properties. Fenugreek tea also has antimicrobial properties and astringent properties. That’s why it is used widely in various forms to boost overall health. While you might be caught up on all the benefits of fenugreek tea, there are a few major ones you should keep in mind.

Check the infographic below to know how drinking tea brewed from fenugreek seeds benefits your health.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you drink fenugreek tea every day?

Eva De Angelis, Dietitian Nutritionist, says, “Yes, fenugreek tea is usually safe for everyone. Plus, is a great option to reduce menstrual cramps.”

What time of day should I drink fenugreek tea?

De Angelis says, “You can have fenugreek tea first thing in the morning or before you go to bed to relieve menstrual cramps.”

Can you drink fenugreek tea on an empty stomach?

You can drink fenugreek tea on an empty stomach. Eva De Angelis agrees to that and adds, “Yes, there are no side effects of drinking fenugreek tea on an empty stomach. Some research shows that it may even help you boost your metabolism and aid in weight loss, but more research is needed.”

Is fenugreek tea good for the kidneys?

De Angelis says, “Fenugreek seeds, and their tea, can help take care of our kidneys since they can reduce fasting glucose levels, blood pressure levels, and glomerular filtration (which is the rate at which our kidneys work).”

Is fenugreek tea a laxative?

De Angelis says, “Some people claim that fenugreek tea helps them to reduce constipation, but there´s still not enough evidence to recommend this tea as a laxative.”

How much fenugreek tea should I drink?

Three cups of tea per day should do. The ideal dosage of the tea has not been established yet.

How long does it take for fenugreek to work?

There is some research with respect to breastfeeding. Fenugreek was found to increase milk production in breastfeeding women within 24-72 hours of intake (25).

Does fenugreek tea help with sleep?

Studies suggest that fenugreek seeds may help improve your sleep by reducing your anxiety (26). However, further studies need to be done to support this claim.

Does fenugreek tea help with gas?

While fenugreek seeds are commonly used as a medicine, they may cause gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, flatulence, and diarrhea (27).

Sip on the amazing health benefits of fenugreek tea! Check out this video and learn how this herbal tea can help improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity.

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Alexandra DusenberryMS, RDN

   

Alexandra Dusenberry is a registered dietitian nutritionist and a certified personal trainer based in San Diego, California. She has 6 years of experience and works with clients around the world to help them reach their health and fitness goals. She believes that food is medicine and proper nutrition is healing and essential for wellbeing and quality of life. Alexandra enjoys...more

• Eva De AngelisRDN

  Eva De Angelis is a Dietitian Nutrionist from Argentina. She specializes in food and nutrition education, and healthy cooking. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from ISalud University, a postgraduate certificate in Nutrition, Gastronomy, and Health, a culinary diploma, and an intermediate-level technical degree in Food Science.
  
  Eva De Angelis is a Dietitian Nutrionist from Argentina. She specializes in food and nutrition education, and healthy cooking. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from ISalud University, a postgraduate certificate in Nutrition, Gastronomy, and Health, a culinary diploma, and an intermediate-level technical degree in Food Science.

Ravi Teja TadimallaSenior Editor

 

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. He...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Aparna MallampalliHealth & Wellness Writer

Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest in the healthcare and wellness industry pushed her toward a career in content writing. She has a master’s degree in microbiology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy. She aims to use her knowledge of...more