Nigella sativa (Black Cumin) Seed acts to alleviate diarrhoeal symptoms

Black cumin has been a part and parcel of Indian cuisine since time immemorial, beholding not only the taste of our delicacies be it daal or curry but also imparting a therapeutic property, making the food a nourishing one.

Researches all over the world have revealed various therapeutic uses of this flora which includes remedies for headaches, diabetes, allergies and many more but looking back down the lane of history if we go some around 5000 years back when medical contemplation was being enriched by luminaries like Charaka , Susruta, Vagbhatta to name a few; then we can find an amazing home remedy to our nagging problem of diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea is the condition of having at least three loose or liquid bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin with loss of the normal stretchiness of the skin and changes in personality. This can progress to decreased urination, loss of skin color, a fast heart rate, and a decrease in responsiveness as it becomes more severe.

People during that early period treated diarrhoea to be a severe disorder but developed out a simple remedy which today has been complexed to the level of using anti biotics.

Black cumin if moderately fried over pan or “Tawa” without oil and then ingested followed by plain water can contribute hugely towards controlling the passage of loose stools during diarrhoea.

Isn’t it amazing?

But still a question persists, as to what is the since behind this magical cure? The answer seems to be very simple.

Heated cumin seeds when reaches the alimentary canal, starts to absorb water, which has actually liquefied the stools. Now repeated intake of these hot cumin seeds can actually absorb up maximum water, which now becomes incapable to loosen the stool.

Also, recent studies have shown its inhibitory effect over various microbes like Staphylococcus aureus, E.Coli and Enterobacter, where its effect was found to be comparative to Ciprofloxacin standard.

Diarrhoea associated with mucus is the prominent target for this treatment but it depends upon the severity of the disorder and the causative organism. Moreover, it can only provide you with a symptomatic relief but it’s good that at least for some time, we can stop lingering upon the prevalent anti-diarrhoeal medicines and anti-biotics.

The Science of Cupping Therapy

Introduction: 

Cupping Therapy is one of the oldest and most effective methods of releasing toxins from the body’s tissues and organs. Other terms for cupping are: fire cupping, body vacuuming, and the horn method. Cupping is the practice of applying a partial vacuum by means of heat or suction in one or several bell shaped vessels (suction cups) to parts of the skin. This causes the tissues beneath the cup to be drawn up and swell increasing blood flow to the affected area. This enhanced blood flow under the cup draws impurities and toxins away from the nearby tissues and organs towards the surface for elimination. The time the suction cups are left in place varies according to the patient’s age and physical constitution, and the medical disorder being treated.
Cupping acts to draw inflammation and pressure away from the deep organs (especially the heart, brain, lungs, liver and kidneys) towards the skin. This facilitates the healing process. Practitioners of cupping contend that this process strengthens the immune system, so encouraging the optimum functioning of the body. In other words, it assists the actions of Physis. In doing so, it diverts toxins and other harmful impurities from these vital organs towards the less-vital skin, before expulsion. The blood which is diverted allows for a fresh ‘stream’ of blood to that area.

Types of Cupping Therapies:

This therapy was mostly developed, diversified and mass percolated by the Unani practitioners. Based on the agent for vacuum creation that is Fire and depending upon the method of the application of Cupping Therapy (Hijamah) it is classified into two types such as:- 

1. Hijamah-Bila-shurt (Non-invasive cupping or Dry cupping): Skin immediately below the cup is sucked up by a vacuum created inside the cup. Non-invasive cupping is characterized by application of cups without making an incision (Pachhna)

2. Hijamah-Bil-Shurt (Invasive cupping or wet cupping or cupping with scarification,which is known as “Purging” in Mediterranean System of Medicine): In which the skin immediately below the cup is cross cut superficially several times – lightly lacerated – so that blood would actually be drawn out by the vacuum from the skin into the cup.

The following two types of Hijamah-Bil-Shurt were also described by some Unani scholars: 

1. Zaroori Hijamah (Essential Cupping) 

2. lkhtyari Hijamah (Voluntary/ Optional Cupping). 

Scientific basis of Cupping Therapy:

Modern scientific medical theories have proved it that waste materials of the body are collected and prepared to be disposed off by the Lymphatic System while the Circulatory System helps in proper distribution of oxygen and nourishment to the tissues, purging out carbon dioxide. This system if maintained at equilibrium can not only preserve our health but also can accelerate our healing process from ailments.

Cupping Therapy involves the creation of a localized vacuum generated swelling of skin at the affected site, with or without the use of fire, which draws out the air between the cup and skin, creating a vacuum. When the localized vacuum is created inside the cup, a powerful negative pressure literally sucks up the components within the tissues and muscles and causes vasodilation. Thus, there is a dramatic increase in blood and lymph circulation. By pulling the flesh up and outwards from the underlying structures, it facilitates rigid soft tissue release and the ability to recover from pain and injuries quickly. It loosens areas of adhesion, restriction and tension knots. It stimulates synovial fluids which then ease stiffness in joints and sore muscles. It also tonifies and strengthens muscles. Cupping therapy penetrates deep into the body; approximately 4” deep and promotes blood circulation and nourishment to all the internal organs. It strengthens the immune system and increases the white blood cell count. When the localized bruising or congestion occurs, the body assumes it is hurt. So the immune system sends out more white blood cells to heal the area quickly. It engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which increases relaxation and promotes pain relief. Cupping therapy stimulates the nervous system reflex to the cerebral cortex and aids in faster recovery from sickness and pain.

Hormone production rapidly increases and allows the digestive tract to function efficiently. It is able to rid the body of toxic substances easily and so improve the overall health of the body. This also contributes to healthier looking skin and the slowing down of the ageing process. Cupping therapy increases both the temperature and metabolism within the skin. It is excellent for natural face lifts and rejuvenating the complexion. Cupping allows efficient functioning of sebaceous glands and flushing capillary beds. Thus, it drains stagnant blood, toxins and lymph through sweat, urine and stool.

Cupping allows a person to lose weight as the body is able to get rid of water retention and cellulite. Intensive cupping can break up adhesions under the skin which cause the dimples in fatty, fleshy areas. It increases circulation, and thus, the body’s ability increases to detoxify naturally. It sucks out fatty acids, debris and toxins which have harmfully settled in the tissues. It forces them back into circulation. These will eventually be expelled by the body naturally at some point. It allows the ample flow of vital nutrients throughout the body.

In the case of wet cupping, all of the above points also apply. Further, by the very nature of wet cupping, it increases the red and white blood cell counts in the body. Acidic blood will eventually become neutral or more alkaline, and a natural pH balance will be attained. This is very useful if a patient has acidic, thick or stagnant blood. Wet cupping will de-acidify and eventually thin the blood, thus enabling it to circulate around the body effectively. It purifies blood and facilitates both blood flow to diseased organs and tissues. This is beneficial because 70% of diseases occur because of poor blood and oxygen supply to organs and tissues.

Annatto: A vibrant source of healthy lifestyle.

Recent flamboyant lifestyle has changed the viewpoint of the modern society.  Apart from food, cloth and shelter; humans have started to seek for resources to support their existence. Among these, cosmetics were one of the foremost. Simultaneous to researches in medical development, people have also contemplated in cosmetology to adorn their appearance.
In this endeavour they have relied upon nature, where the widespread flora and fauna have contributed hugely.
Annatto seeds from a plant called Achiote (Bixa orellana) is one of the best sources of natural color, used as lip colourant since thousands of years.
Achiote is a tall shrub to small evergreen tree 6–10 m (20–33 ft) high. It bears clusters of 5 cm (2 in)
bright white to pink flowers, resembling single wild roses, appearing at the tips of the branches. The fruits are in clusters: spiky looking red-brown seed pods covered in soft spines. Each pod contains many seeds covered with a thin waxy blood-red aril. When fully mature, the pod dries, hardens, and splits open, exposing the seeds. The color of the seed coating is due mainly to the carotenoid pigments bixin and norbixin.
Chemistry of Bixin:
The major phytochemical of the plant, is found in the seeds, which is known as Bixin. Annatto seeds contain about 5% pigments, which consist of 70-80% bixin.
Bixin is soluble in fats but insoluble in water. Upon exposure to alkali, the methyl ester is hydrolyzed to produce the dicarboxylic acid-norbixin, a water-soluble derivative.

Benefits of Annatto Seeds:

1. Colouring agent for cosmetics and foods: Bixin, a phytochemical obtained from the Annatto Seeds is a very good source for natural and safe food and cosmetic color.
2. Eye Health: The red color of annatto seeds and the pigment extracted from them is due to the carotenoid content of those seeds. The high carotenoid content will function as antioxidants in your ocular system and prevent the development of cataracts, while also staving off macular degeneration, keeping your vision strong for years.
3. Antioxidant Capacity: The other organic compounds that make up annatto, like tocotrienols, also act as antioxidants in other parts of the body, which is one of the reasons that annatto is so sought after for treatment of the skin. If you’ve been looking for an anti-aging solution for your skin, annatto pastes made from the seeds can be topically applied to reduce the signs of wrinkles, blemishes, and other imperfections, while also tightening up the skin and making it look younger.
4. Strengthen Bones: A significant level of calcium found in annatto makes it important if you want to supplement your bone mineral density and ensure strength and durability as you age. Osteoporosis can affect anyone, so preventing it with essential minerals like calcium is crucial.
5. Promotes wound healing: Annatto seeds can catalyze the healing process of the burns and wounds on your skin. Moreover, it can even alleviate skin irritations and remove skin marks.
6. Possible anti cancer role: A powerful antioxidant, Norbixin found in Annatto Seeds have been found to possess a potent free radical scavenging activity thus blocking the cell oxidation process. So, it can be employed to prevent cancerous cells from spreading.

Exploring the kitchen can take you towards alleviating Cervical pains

With the advancement of technology, our society is developing in leaps and bounds, where every moment we are blemished in order to stay at par. Amongst all these, our health is majorly throbbed. Increased work load resulting in prolonged sitting in front of the computers is a common issue now a days, where often people experience pain and stiffness in neck. Initially though people ignore yet with time the condition worsen to an unbearable affliction- Cervical Spondylosis.

What causes Cervical Spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis is a term used to describe the degenerative changes to the vertebrae, joints and discs of the neck (cervical spine ) as a result of aging, over stress or injury. The vertebrae and discs wear down, possibly resulting in pain, which agonizes gradually.

The disease occurs mainly due to roughening of the vertebral bones forming Osteophytes. Moreover, the discs get dried becoming stiff and brittle. Thus, an anatomical change takes place leading towards degenerative conditions resulting in Cervical Spondylosis.

Disease prodromes:

Initially the disease is characterized by stiffness and localized pain in the neck, which frequently occurs. This condition upon ignorance, augment into spinal stenosis, cervical radiculopathy and cervical myelopathy, restricting even normal movements, robbing off the simple pleasure of living.

A painless solution to rule out your pains:

Absolute cure from this ailment might be difficult but maintaining a healthy lifestyle can serve you better. A couple of simple exercises like rotating your arm clockwise-anticlockwise, opening-closing of fingers and twisting your wrist might relieve your pain.

The patient should avoid fatty, spicy and fried foods, sour curd, sweets, sugar, condiments as well as tea and coffee. Those who smoke and take tobacco in any form should give up completely.

Diet should comprise of consist of salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce and at least two steamed or lightly-cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach and plenty of fruits. The patients should have four meals daily.

Home remedies for instant relief:

Certain food remedies have been found beneficial in the treatment of  cervical spondylosis. Garlic oil prepared by frying 10 cloves of garlic in 60 grams of oil in a frying pan, should be fried slowly till they are brown. After it is cooled, it should be applied vigorously on the affected part and allowed to remain there for three hours. The patient may thereafter have a warm bath. This treatment should be continued for at least 15 days or till pain is mitigated.

Relief from pain can also be obtained by taking lemon juice mixed with common salt twice or thrice daily. A piece of the chebulic myrobalan taken after principal meals might also give quick relief. So, there is no reason for patients to bear with the intense pain as breaking all myths, treatment and relief from Cervical Spondylosis is possible, where the answer lies in the age old traditional medical knowledge, which can be found out by exploring our kitchen. 

Bhils- The forerunners of Indian tribal medical knowledge:

Bhils are listed as Adivasi residents of the states of Gujarat, Madhya  Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,

Maharashtra and Rajasthan - all in the western Deccan regions and central India - as well as in Tripura in far-eastern India, on the border with Bangladesh. Bhils are divided into a number of endogamous territorial divisions, which in turn have a number of clans and lineages.
The origin of the Bhils dates back to the medieval and colonial period, where apart  from serving as hunters (“Shikaris”) for the Rajput rulers or as furious warriors in Mewar army under great rulers like Maharana
Pratap and Shivaji, they made significant contribution to the field of traditional medical development in India.
The Bhils were said to possess an excellent knowledge of the Indian terrain, which served in varied knowledge of the Indian flora. The priest or Badwai was the chief physician among the Bhils, though most old men were supposed to know something about medicine. The myths and legends of the tribal people reveal that they suffered from a wide range of ailments – endemic as well as epidemic – in the past. Before the 1880s, they were left largely to their own devices when ill. In a few cases, they may have sought herbal and faith based cures from wandering mendicants – such as sadhus and pirs – who resided in forest tracts. Most healing was by relatives and neighbors using herbal and other folk remedies. Tribal specialists who used herbal remedies, cauterization, divination and exorcism, treated the more intractable cases for them.
Bhils had classified diseases as per their knowledge, where they specialized themselves in curing various ailments, which are still prevalent in recent times and sometimes proved to be quiet promising like:
• Fever (Bukhar/Taav): The first stage of treatment normally is giving the patient some tea.
Then, people seek the help of the badwai, the faith-healer  (also called jhare wala or Bhopa). If it does not get cured, then people resort to allopathic medicine.

Likewise, in the case of Malaria (Malaria taav) also, which is very common during and after the rainy season, the treatment sought is the same. This was the general trend in case of most of the villages, but at certain places located on the highways and where health facilities existed, non-tribal people directly went to the hospitals after the home treatment. In the villages with 100% tribal population, and located off the main roads, people normally went to the bhopas. Since most of them could not afford to visit towns or cities for treatment, they stuck to the treatment offered by the faith healers for a relatively longer period.
• Dental Problems: The dental problems identified were caries (keera), tooth-ache (dant dard),

swelling (sujan) and pyorrhoea (peek). It was observed that  people do not attach much importance to dental problems. They apply i.e. rub tobacco (tambhacoo) to the aching parts. It was reported that most of their problems got cured by tobacco, and none was reported going to a hospital for dental treatment in any of the villages.

Some people mentioned applying cloves (long) or clove oil (long ka tel) for curing dental problems. Some others mentioned applying the juice of the leaves of the Climbing bean (Dolichos lablab) (Sem ki phali ki pattion ka ras) or Garhia ki patti as home treatment. Other problems mentioned during the discussion included cough and cold. The common treatment mentioned for this problem was taking honey, crushed tulsi leaves (sacred basil) and tea with black pepper. Again, as in the case of dental problems, not much attention was paid to them. People believe that these problems are part of one's life, and carry on as normally as possible in such cases.
• Jaundice (peelia): In this case the sufferer is given sugarcane juice as local treatment. This, people believe, is an effective treatment and none mentioned  going to a hospital for treatment of
jaundice.

Bhopas or faith-healers (jhare wala) were especially called in for removing the ill effects of 'evil eye' (nazar), spells of black magic (tona), etc. Though some people were initially reluctant to admit this, later on they admitted that though they knew the treatment was not as effective as allopathic treatment, it was still being used by poor people owing to the very high cost of allopathic medicine.

Constipation (kebjee)  and abdominal pain (pet dard) were other allied health problems worth mentioning, which were treated by prescribing various fruits including Banana (Kela), Wood apple (Kodbel), etc were prescribed.
• Children’s problems: 
 Diarrhoea (dast) was the main problem faced by children under 5 years of age. The local
treatment administered at home was giving some water  with lemon (nimbu paani) and salt, milk with sugar (doodh) or a kind of soup.
Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) (Saans Chalna): After Diarrhoea, Acute Respiratory Infection (Pneumonia) was the second most common  problem among the children. The domestic treatment included giving nutmeg (jaiphal), clove (long) and saffron (kesar) at the first stage, were in severe cases light roasted black cumin( Kala jeera) was very popular.
• Reproductive Health Problems of the Females: The
problems faced by pregnant women during their term included indigestion, vomiting, oedema  (haath pag sooje), general weakness (kamjori) and body ache (haath pag toote). Some home remedies practised include giving “burnt and ground corn cobs” to those suffering from vomiting. The problems identified during childbirth are: excessive bleeding (gano khoon chale) and weakness following the delivery (kamjori). The home remedies for these include giving a solution of unrefined sugar in water (gurh ka paani), solution of the gum of certain trees such as Babool (Acacia nilotica) (gond ka pani), and turmeric powder in milk (haldi ka doodh).
Though with the flow of time, this knowledge perished gradually being crushed under the wheels of development yet the little documented history that has been dug out from the sands of time, still speaks about the Bhils as pioneers of medical development in India and the forerunners of traditional medical knowledge.

Home remedies to combat side effects of antibiotics on G.I. tract using homemade supplements

Now a day with increased population and pollution, the world is everyday getting a step forward towards a perilous future, where people are getting more tied up towards antibiotic assistance. No matter how small or big the disease might be, prescribers are inclined towards prescribing high dose antibiotics as a sure shot remedy. But is this remedy a true answer towards our problems or is it bringing in newer ailments?---- Is a matter to be seriously given a thought.

·         Vomiting.

·         Severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

·         Allergic reaction (shortness of breath, hives, swelling of lips, face, or tongue, fainting)

·         Rash.

·         Vaginal itching or discharge.

·         White patches on the tongue a

re some of the serious and commonly faced problems by prolonged usage of antibiotics at a dose of 500mg and above, which is generally prescribed now a days.

Among these, the gastrointestinal tract (mainly the colon) is highly affected because antibiotic molecules, not only eradicates harmful biotic constituents but also devastates our intestinal bacterial flora, that aids in our health system by maintaining several health factors like:

·         Carbohydrate fermentation and absorption

·         Trophic effects

·         Suppression of pathogenic microbial growth

·         Immunity

·         Metabolic function

·         Preventing allergy

·         Preventing inflammatory bowel disease

Thus, destruction of the gut microbiota, can be a threat to our health even after getting rid of our initial problems. Generally, loose stools, flatulence, nausea are the most commonly faced effects, for which Lactobacillus capsules are prescribed by doctors.

Basic composition of all Lactobacillus supplements is Lactic Acid. Though this as a product in any form is generally considered to be safe yet certain side effects like: Erythema, Irritation, Burning, Stinging On Application, etc. have come into observation.

The Mechanism of action of Lactic Acid Bacillus is presumed to be results of improving Gastrointestinal Ecology by replenishing the quantity of desirable obligate microorganisms and antagonizing pathogenic microbes. This produces shift in the environment in the support of complex Gastrointestinal Flora.

These supplements are not only harmful but also expensive. Thus, a search for herbal home remedy  was extremely essential. A thousand year old remedy was found to be an answer to this long term nagging problem.

Common home made YOGURT  if taken after food (atleast 1-2 spoons) during or after antibiotic use (preferably after antibiotic course has been completed) can replenish the gut microbiota, as it provides them with a nutritional media for culture and as it is purely natural so side effects are not a factor to be thought off. Also, the expense of medicine can be cut down to a great extent.

Generally a myth persists that yogurt and curd are same but it is absolutely wrong because Yogurt is a diary product that is created by fermenting milk using bacteria. The bacteria that is used to ferment milk is known as 'yogurt cultures'. Curd is a dairy product obtained by curdling with an edible acidic substance such as lemon juice or vinegar, and then draining off the liquid portion. So, it is to be taken care off that yogurt and not curd is to be used.

Apart from these, yogurt also serves to your weight loss, maintaining normal blood pressure, replenish your vitamin D and calcium levels of body, maintain good protein level in your body and what not!

Thus, instead of spending loads in buying costly medicines, exploring our nature and the kitchen can take us towards a safer solution to our daily life ailments.

A Green Way to Combat Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorder in which there is a high concentration of blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) persisting over a prolonged period of time, with symptoms like:

·         Polyphagia: Increased hunger

·         Polydipsia: Increased thirst

·         Polyuria:  Increased urination

Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced. There are three main types of diabetes mellitus:

· Type 1 DM results from the pancreas' failure to produce enough insulin. This form was previously referred to as "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (IDDM) or "juvenile diabetes". The cause is unknown.

·  Type 2 DM begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly. As the disease progresses a lack of insulin may also develop. This form was previously referred to as "non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (NIDDM) or "adult-onset diabetes". The primary cause is excessive body weight and not enough exercise.

·    Gestational diabetes, is the third main form and occurs when pregnant women without a previous history of diabetes develop a high blood sugar level.

For ages, the treatment of diabetes mellitus has been a matter of medical controversies where several myths have also been made prevalent. Even in recent times with all modern facilities and medical advancements, we are still light years away from bursting those myths unless recently a flake has been in sight amidst this dark avenue.

“Live in present but learn from the past”- a proverb we often come across but hardly understand the in depth meaning of it, showed us the way towards a healthy future. Diabetes mellitus truly cannot be cured but can be controlled as well as prevented.

If we look deep in to the disease we can see several underlying phenomenon which can form a symptomatic way to deal with diabetes treatment. Dealing with the type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, we see that mostly it is a cell related factor, where either a cell fails to produce insulin or a cell fails to respond to the produced insulin. In both the cases, it is the cells which due to some damage caused, fails to act normally, giving rise to a diabetic issue. Thus, if we can replenish the normal cellular conditions, we can to some extent deal with the diabetic situation: talking about cell rejuvenation: “Is it possible?” is a question which arises in the mind of one and all of the global intelligentsia. I would say that possibility arises if we can look at the impossible in a positive manner. Tribal: people who are the constant companion of nature, the fore-runners of the past, have conserved the knowledge of nature, uses some amazing way to combat diseases, which have become a topic of research. Following are some tribal home remedies towards diabetes mellitus (mostly Type 1 but to some extent also useful for Type 2 patients):

·         Cinnamon Bark (Sc. Name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum , Family: Lauraceae)

Cinnamon bark is a double quill type of bark, whose detailed phytochemical study has shown the immense presence of compounds like Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol, etc.among which Cinnamaldehyde is well known to combat diabetes mellitus.

Fig: Cinnamon Bark

Detailed in-vitro and in-vivo studies and clinical trials have shown that regular administration of cinnamaldehyde initiates and increases insulin stimulated glucose utilization in body, which reduces the blood sugar level. Also it lowers the concentration of triglyceride, total cholesterol (mainly HDL and LDL) and  intestinal α- glycosidase activities, which were potential causes of various incurable ailments that people commonly suffer from now a day, including hypercholesterolemia,hypertension,hyperthyroidism and what not

Fig: Cinnamaldehyde

Home remedies:

1.      Regular chewing or in taking about 1-6g of cinnamon bark (either made into small pieces or powdered in hand mortars only).

2.      Cutting out sugar from regular diet and incorporating cinnamon in tea in place of sugar- drinking of masala tea with cinnamon and honey can be both refreshing and will also serve as an anti- diabetic therapy.

Other Advantages: Using of cinnamon not only maintains the normal blood glucose level but also chewing of cinnamon bark might debar people from taking tobacco or betel leaves, which are potential causes of gastro-esophageal cancer.

Toxicity: Cinnamon bark has been proved to be safe but over dose might cause small irritations in mouth and esophagus, which can be dealt with by in taking a glass of plain water

 Fenugreek seeds (Sc. Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum , Family: Fabaceae)

Fenugreek seeds are commonly known as  “Methi” in India, where a several delicacies are prevalent in Indian cusine, made out of these seeds.

Fig:Fenugreek Seeds

Plant contains steroidal saponins, at which Diosgenin is a major component .Bitter taste of seed is due to presence of saponins. Yamogenin is (25S) - epimer of diosgenin and present in the ratio of 2:3 with diosgenin in the seed. Trigofoenoside A, B, C, D, E, F, G, trigonelloside C, yamogenin tetroside B, C, tenugrin B, tigogenin, neotigogenin, yamogenin, gitogenin, neogitogenin, yuccagenin, lilagenin, sarsapogenin and smilagenin are glycosides of T. foenum-graecum. Glycosides of diosgenin are graecunins A, B, C, H, I, J, K, L, M and N having potent anti-diabetic activity,In humans, seeds exert hypoglycemic effects by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion . The hypoglycemic effect of plant has been attributed to different mechanisms. Plant extract act directly on pancreatic cells and stimulate insulin secretion by beta cells and/or inhibit α-cells and release of hyperglycemic factor.

Fig:Diosgenin

Home Remedies: Fresh seeds (about 2 tablespoon full) are to be kept soaked in a glassful of plain water overnight, where the seeds are to be discarded next morning and the supernatant liquid to be drunk in empty stomach.

Other advantages: Fenugreek seeds also have potent anti-oxidant activity, which can rejuvenate body cells, increase cell proliferation and can even exert an anti-ulcer activity by maintaining the normal condition of the gastric mucosa.

Toxicity: Over usage might produce a laxative action due to Chlorogenic acid and also might produce a contraceptive effect due to the presence of Diosgenin. Drugs like Warfarin sodium and anti-coagulants might interact with the phytoconstituents.

If a patient is continuing with an anti-diabetic regime of synthetic drugs, then the usage of fenugreek seeds is strictly prohibited as it might excessively lower blood glucose level, causing fatal conditions but cinnamon can be consumed to maintain the lowered level of blood sugar.

Physical exercises, pranayams and yoga catalyses the activity of any anti-diabetic drug, by lowering stress and maintaining the normal lipid content of the body