Fenugreek or methi is a multipurpose spice which is widely used in Indian kitchens for various culinary purposes. However, its functionality ranges goes much beyond just imparting distinct flavours to many kitchen dishes. It can also be a valuable addition to your beauty toolkit, and not to forget its various health benefits. Easily available in the market, methi can be a great alternative to many of the expensive skin and hair products, that you might be using. Here is a list of various health and beauty benefits of methi seeds, and the ways to use them.
1. Say no to dandruff: Dandruff is a common hair problem resulting from dead skin cells in the dry scalp. If you are tired of trying anti-dandruff shampoos, it is then time to fight back with natural force. Soak the methi seeds overnight to soften them. Grind them in the morning to make a paste. You can also add curd to the paste for even better results. After your paste is ready, apply it to your scalp and massage the roots of your hair. Wash off your hair after 30 minutes, and say goodbye to dandruff.
2. Control pimples: Methi seeds prevent outbreaks and are effective in blackhead treatment. It flushes the toxins accumulated underneath the epidermis layer and erases the irregularity of the skin. It also fades acne scars beyond visionary measures. Burn marks can also be treated with methi seeds. Prepare a paste of methi seeds and add honey to it. Apply the paste on your pimples at night and wash it off in the morning with lukewarm water. You will notice visible differences in a few days.
3. Helps in digestion: Consumption of methi seeds improves bowel movements, and is an effective remedy against digestive problems and heart burns. In order to get benefit from methi for digestive problems, add grated ginger to its paste, and eat one tablespoon before your meals.
4. Get radiant skin: Methi seeds destroy the free radicals in our body, which causes so many serious facial problems like wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and infections. Methi seeds lighten your skin tone, and make your appearance brighter and better. A face pack prepared out of methi seeds by using methi paste, methi soaked water, gram flour, and curd exfoliates the skin and removes dark circles. It also tones and cleanses the skin while simultaneously treating sun damages.
5. Cures women’s health problem: Methi seeds facilitate breast enlargement, and the diosgenin present in it improves breast milk production. It is also the answer to various common problems faced by women such as menstrual cramps, hot flushes and period discomfort.
6. Effective in weight loss: Methi seed are composed of natural fibres, which induce an effect of fullness in you. Chew methi seeds in empty stomach and you will find your calorie cravings disappearing. Another method is drinking two glasses of methi water in the morning. The water is prepared by soaking 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in two glasses of water for whole night. This methi water is very helpful in prevention of water retention in the body as well as bloating.
7. Combat hair loss: Methi seeds are extremely helpful in strengthening hair roots and reconstructing the damaged hair follicles. It contains protein and nicotinic acid; hence inclusion of methi seeds in your diet makes it healthy for your hair. Prepare a paste of methi seeds applying the same procedure mentioned above. Add one tablespoon of coconut or olive oil to two tablespoon of the paste. Now apply the paste and let it form a mask. Leave it till the time it dries up, and then wash it off. Continue the process for 2-3 weeks and positive result is guaranteed.
8. Fever cure: When taken with a teaspoon of lemon and honey, methi seeds help reduce fever. Due to presence of mucilage, it has a soothing effect on soaring throat. Continue this treatment 2-3 times a day if you have fever.
9. Controls diabetes: Methi seeds control the blood sugar levels. The amino acid compounds in methi seeds promote insulin secretion in the pancreas, which lowers the blood sugar levels in the body. Studies have revealed significant improvement in diabetic patients upon consumption of methi seeds.
10. Improves health of kidneys: Kidney health improves upon consumption of methi. Prevention as well as treatment of certain kind of kidney stones is possible with methi seeds. Calcification is reduced by this magical herb and is excreted through urine.
Dr. Vivek Mohindera
674, Sector-39, Ludhaian (Pb.)
98142-04142