- Botanical Name & Family: Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Fabaceae (legume family) .
- Plant Description: Annual plant with three small obovate to oblong leaflets. Seeds are cuboid, yellow to amber. Distinctive maple-syrup smell (sotolon) .
- Cultivation Tips: Annual, cool-season crop, can withstand some frost. Prefers at least four hours of sun, ideally afternoon shade. Best in free-draining soil. Direct sowing preferred (0.5 cm deep, 5 cm apart). Requires regular watering. Harvest leaves when plants are 25 cm tall (approx. 6 weeks).
- Ayurvedic Description: Known as “Methi,” a powerful medicinal herb with antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Used to enhance breast milk, reduce menstrual pain, and lower blood glucose. Paste from leaves/seeds used for hair care (conditioner, strengthener, dandruff reduction).
Nutritional profile of seasonal vegetable (per 100g raw edible portion):
Vegetable | Botanical Name | Calories (kcal) | Carbohydrates (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Fiber (g) | Key Vitamins | Key Minerals |
Methi (Fenugreek) Leaves | Trigonella foenum-graecum | 49 / 323 | 6 / 58 | 4 / 23 | 1 / 6.41 | 1 / 24.6 | C (220 mg), A, Beta-carotene | Ca (395 mg), Fe (2 mg), P (51 mg), K (770 mg), Mg, Zn, Cu, Na |