N. O. LEGUMIN0S7E. 
405 
Vern.: — Methi(B. and H.i ; Vendayam (Tam.); Mentulu 
(Tel.) ; Menthya (Kan.]. 
Habitat Cultivated in many parts of India, but is wild in 
Kashmir and the Punjab. 
Annual, robust, erect, sub-glabrous herbs. Stipules not la- 
ciniate. Leaflets toothed, f-1 in. long, oblanceolate oblong. 
Flowers 1-2, sessile in the axils of the leaves. Calyx in., 
teeth linear. Corolla much exserted. Pod 2-3in. long, turgid, 
10-20-s'eeded, with a long, persistent beak, often falcate. 
Use : — Fenugreek seeds are considered carminative, tonic, 
and aphrodisiac. Several confections made with this article 
are recommended for use in dyspepsia with loss of appetite, 
in the diarrhoea of puerperal women, and in rheumatism 
( Hindu Mat. Med.) An infusion of the seeds is given by the 
Natives to small-pox patients as a cooling drink. Mahomedan 
writers describe the plant and seeds as hot and dry, suppurative, 
aperient, diuretic, emmenagogue, useful in dropsy, chronic 
cough, and enlargements of the spleen and liver. A poultice 
of the leaves is said to be of use in external and internal 
swellings and burns, and to prevent the hair falling off. The 
flour of the seeds is used as a poultice, and is applied to the 
skin in cosmetic ( Dymock ). The use of fenugreek as a medi- 
cinal agent is now obsolete in Europe and the United States. 
Formerly the seeds were employed in the preparation of emol- 
lient cataplasms, fomentations and enemata, but were never 
given internally. The powdered seeds are still used in veteri- 
nary practice ( Bentley and Trimen). 
The seeds being toasted and afterwards infused are used 
by Native practitioners in Southern India for dysentery 
(Ainslie.) In the Concan, the leaves are used both externally 
and internally, on account of their cooling properties (Dymock). 
Fenugreek. 
Analysis of 2 samples gave the following results 
Nitrogenous matter 
Fat 
Crude fibre 
Nitrogen-free extract 
Ash 
dry matter. 
... 13-74 and 13 02 
... 3-31 and 3-54 
... 3175 and 29'36 
... 45-79 and 4874 
... ... 5-42 and 5-94 
p. c. 
in the 
