Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn

Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

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Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team.

Fenugreek oil- Health benefits

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L) is also known as Greek hay. Fenugreek is cultivated in central and southeastern Europe, western Asia, India, and northern Africa.

 In India, fenugreek is grown as a cover crop as the plant grows quickly. It is a leguminous herb about 2 feet height. The major producers are South Indian states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

 Fenugreek oil is made from the herb-derived fenugreek seed.

 Chemical composition:

  Diosgenin is a steroid sapogenin which is found in fenugreek. Other sapogenins include yamogenin, gitogenin, tigogenin, and neotigogens. It also contains alkaloids such as trigonelline, gentianine, and carpine compounds.

Health benefits of the oil as a topical application

  ·       Helps in male pattern baldness 

It is claimed that fenugreek oil helps in managing androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness.

Diosgenin component in fenugreek has been shown to have oestrogenic hormonal activity which may lead to inhibition of dihydrotestosterone and therefore it has anti-androgenic activity and is useful in managing male pattern baldness.

 ·      Anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effect

Flavonoids and Trigonelline of the oil cause vasodilation in the scalp.

Flavonoids have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effect.

 ·       Antifungal effect

It has protective effect on skin. It has fungicidal effect against Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium graminearum.

A study shows that this oil and seed is effective in managing skin condition Pityriasis sicca caused by the organism Malassezia furfur.

 ·       Antibacterial effects

Antibacterial effects have been reported by studies. The fenugreek seed extracts are effective against E. coli, S. typhi and S. aureus. The oil protects scalp skin if applied on hair and scalp regularly. Usually, fenugreek oil is applied in combination with a carrier oil [ eg: coconut oil] to enhance its penetrating capacity to hair cuticle and scalp. Only a few drops of the oil is sufficient to add to carrier oil.

 ·       An emollient that moisturizes hair

Fenugreek has lecithin which is a natural emollient and helps in strengthening and moisturization of hair.

Therefore, fenugreek seed extract with water and other ingredients is used as hair mask by a large group of people. Fenugreek hair masks are used for getting soft silky healthy hair in traditional medicine. The emollient and moisturizing properties of the seed along with its antifungal properties make the seed a favorite ingredient in hair masks to increase the glow and shine of hair.

References

1.    Mullaicharam AR, Deori G, Maheswari RU. Medicinal values of fenugreek – A review. Res J Pharm Biol Chem Sci. 2013;4:1304–13. [Google Scholar]
2.    Schulz C, Bielfeldt S, Reimann J. Fenugreek+ micronutrients: Efficacy of a food supplement against hair loss. Cosmetic Medicine. 2006;27:176–9. [Google Scholar]
3.    Verma V, Saxena R, Garg P, Sharma S, Khanna P, Singh M, et al. Effect of germinated seeds of fenugreek on malassezia furfur from hair dandruff. Int J Curr Res. 2011;3:322–3. [Google Scholar]
4.    https://www.britannica.com/plant/dill