Fenugreek









Fenugreek


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
This product has been used to help lower cholesterol and blood sugar. It has also been used to help increase appetite, reduce stomach problems, and for constipation.
How does it work?
Fenugreek works by slowing glucose absorption and stimulating insulin. This helps to lower blood sugar levels. The fiber in Fenugreek may work to lower cholesterol.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Take this product at a similar time every day.
  • Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • Do not take this product at the same time as prescription medicine. Take at least 1 hour before or after taking this product.
  • If you have bleeding problems, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using other aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E, or others.
  • Stop using this product 14 days before dental procedures or surgery.
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this product is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.
  • Use caution if you have diabetes. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use caution if you are taking hormonal therapy (oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy), if you have a tumor were estrogen makes it grow, endometrial cancer, stroke, or thromboembolic disease.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this product.
  • Do not use if you are breast-feeding.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum , or Lactobacillus acidophilus may help.
  • May worsen airway inflammation and affect breathing.
  • May bleed easier.
What should I monitor?
  • Watch for unusual swelling of the legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain, or exercise tolerance.
  • Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
  • Check blood pressure regularly.
  • Check blood work (cholesterol, prothrombin time/INR). Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider on a regular basis.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Seed
Dosage forms
Oral
Drug interactions
Hormones, oral hypoglycemics, insulin, MAO inhibitors, corticosteroids
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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