Cure joint pains with methi or fenugreek

Tackle winter joint pains with methi or fenugreek.

In India, methi or fenugreek is a revered kitchen ingredient not only for its robust flavour but also for its wide range of health benefits. It's a go-to cure for most menstrual problems and also helps mothers lactate better. It's one of those rare ingredients that has both culinary and therapeutic uses. Among its many virtues are its anti-inflammatory, liver-protecting and antioxidant benefits. With winter arriving, it would be smart to stock up your pantry with fenugreek or methi, because the cold months can exacerbate certain arthritic ailments. And thanks to the anti-inflammatory effects, methi can be a good remedy for joint pain that accompanies the cold winter months. Try these exercise tips to relieve joint pain.

Fenugreek, methi or trigonella foenum-graecum seeds contain a compound known as the fenugreek seed petroleum ether extract. The compound mainly comprises linoleic acid and linolenic acid. A study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology in 2016 tested the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic efficiency of this compound. The effect of the fenugreek seed petroleum ether extract was tested on albino rats who had artificially-induced oedema in their paws. It was found that the rats who were treated with the fenugreek extract showed improvement in their condition and the inflammation in their joints reduced considerably. The researchers believe that the rich reserves of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the fenugreek seeds were responsible for reducing inflammation in the rats' joints.

Another research published in 2010 in the Indian Journal of Medical Research proved that fenugreek has an oestrogenic effect. Which is probably why it is used in many Ayurvedic and home remedies for gynaecological problems. The study says that compounds in methi bound to the oestrogen receptors and functioned just like the hormone. The researchers say that fenugreek seeds can be used as an alternative to oestrogen replacement therapy, especially arthritis, a disease caused by oestrogen deficiency.

Both the studies go to prove what ancient Indian wisdom knew all along. You can make the best use of fenugreek for arthritis pain in the following ways:

• You can brew a "tea" with fenugreek seeds, lemon and honey.
• Dry roast the seeds and powder it. Sprinkle the powder liberally in preparations like curries, dosas, subzis and soups.
• Sprout fenugreek seeds and have it the next morning with the water it was soaked in.
• Add sprouted fenugreek seeds to salads.