Trigonella Foenun-grecum Linn.
Vernacular Names :- Arabic : Berlime ; Bengal : Methishak ; English : Fenugreek , Greek Hayes ; Gujrat : Methini ; Hindi : Methi ; Punjab : Sag Methi ; Sanskrit : Gandhaphale ; Tamil : Vendaya ; Telgu : Mentikura.
Family :- Papilionaceae.
Distribution :- It is found in Punjab and Kashmir.
Morphology:- An erect, annual, densely hispid, robust herb. Leaves trifoliate. Leaflet oblanceolate-oblong. Flowers sessile in the axil of leaves. Calyx 4 mm long. Corolla bright yellow coloured. Pods linear, falcate with persistent long beak and 10-20 seeded (Bhandari, 1978).
Part Used :- Seeds (Plate – 1 e) and Leaves.
Uses :- Seeds are described as carminative, tonic and aphrodisiac. They are used in dyspepsia with loss of appetite, in diarrhoea of puerperal women and in rheumatism. Flour of seed is used as poultice and is applied to skin as a cosmetic. Infusion of seed is used in small-pox and dysentery. They are considered stomachic and antiherpetic. They are used in stomach complaints and as a preventive in fever and also used in diarrhoea. Poultice of leaves are used in external and internal swellings and burns and to prevent the hair falling off. Crushed leaves are also used medicinally either in decoction as a fumigant for febrile conditions with ache or internally for indigestion.