botanical record · discovered
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Fenugreek · Greek Clover · Greek Hay · Bockshornklee (Ger.) · Alholva (Sp.) · Alforfa · Alforvas · Almindelig bukkehorn · Bockshornklee · Classical Fenugreek · Cỏ ca ri · Fenegriek · Feno-grego · Fenugrec · Ffenigrig · Fieno greco comune · Fienu · Greek hay
At a glance
Origin / distribution: Turkey, India(Santal), China, Chile, Egypt, Austria, Java, Sudan
Cultural traditions: not documented
Recorded uses: Aphrodisiac, Astringent, Baldness, Beri-Beri
Science studied: ACETYL-CHOLINE, ALUMINUM, GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC-ACID, ARACHIDIC-ACID
Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗
Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.
Names and identity
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific name: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Common names: Fenugreek, Greek Clover, Greek Hay, Bockshornklee (Ger.), Alholva (Sp.), Alforfa, Alforvas, Almindelig bukkehorn, Bockshornklee, Classical Fenugreek, Cỏ ca ri, Fenegriek, Feno-grego, Fenugrec, Ffenigrig, Fieno greco comune, Fienu, Greek hay
POWO: 523957-1 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone
History
The source record documents this plant in Turkey, India(Santal), China, Elsewhere, Chile, Egypt, Austria, Java and 9 additional places.
It records these historical or traditional applications:
- Aphrodisiac
- Astringent
- Baldness
- Beri-Beri
- Bladder
- Boil
- Cancer
- Carminative
show 41 more documented entries
- Chancre
- Cosmetic
- Cystitis
- Demulcent
- Deobstruent
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- Diuretic
- Dysentery
- Dyspepsia
- Emollient
- Frigidity?
- Gastritis
- Gonorrhea
- Hairblack
- Hernia
- Repellant(Insect)
- Kidney
- Lactogogue
- Piles
- Renitis
- Sore
- Spice
- Stimulant
- Tonic
- Tumor
- Tumor(Abdomen)
- Wound
- Arthritis
- Ejaculation
- Impotency
- Abdomen
- Anodyne
- Emmenagogue
- Lactagogue
- Smallpox
- Syphilis
- Coffee
- Edema
- Hydrocoele
- Uterus
This summary is limited to the cited source record.
Origins and distribution
- Turkey
- India(Santal)
- China
- Elsewhere
- Chile
- Egypt
- Austria
- Java
- Sudan
- Mediterranean
- "
- Spain
show 5 more documented entries
- Hungary
- India
- Iraq
- Malaya
- Belgium
Documented cultural uses
- Aphrodisiac
- Astringent
- Baldness
- Beri-Beri
- Bladder
- Boil
- Cancer
- Carminative
- Chancre
- Cosmetic
- Cystitis
- Demulcent
show 37 more documented entries
- Deobstruent
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- Diuretic
- Dysentery
- Dyspepsia
- Emollient
- Frigidity?
- Gastritis
- Gonorrhea
- Hairblack
- Hernia
- Repellant(Insect)
- Kidney
- Lactogogue
- Piles
- Renitis
- Sore
- Spice
- Stimulant
- Tonic
- Tumor
- Tumor(Abdomen)
- Wound
- Arthritis
- Ejaculation
- Impotency
- Abdomen
- Anodyne
- Emmenagogue
- Lactagogue
- Smallpox
- Syphilis
- Coffee
- Edema
- Hydrocoele
- Uterus
Cultural record detail
These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.
- Aphrodisiac · Turkey · "
- Astringent · Turkey · "
- Baldness · India(Santal) · "
- Beri-Beri · China · "
- Bladder · China · "
- Boil · Elsewhere · "
- Cancer · Chile · "
- Cancer · Egypt · "
- Cancer · Austria · "
- Carminative · China · "
- Carminative · Elsewhere · "
- Chancre · India(Santal) · "
- Cosmetic · Java · "
- Cystitis · India(Santal) · "
- Demulcent · China · "
- Demulcent · Elsewhere · "
- Deobstruent · China · "
- Diabetes · Elsewhere · "
- Diarrhea · Sudan · "
- Diuretic · Turkey · "
- Dysentery · Sudan · "
- Dyspepsia · Sudan · "
- Emollient · Mediterranean · "
- Emollient · Elsewhere · "
39 additional documented entries remain in the source record.
Contemporary uses
Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.
Scientific research
Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.
Indexed research records
- The effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) on stallion spermatozoa motility and vitality in vitro. · 2026 source ↗
- Protective Effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum Extract Against Lead Toxicity: Integrated Redox, Endocrine, and Spermatogenic Responses. · 2026 source ↗
- Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) as a functional food associated with improved heat-stress survival in Caenorhabditis elegans. · 2026 source ↗
Scientific compounds
Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.
- ACETYL-CHOLINE
- ALUMINUM
- GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC-ACID
- ARACHIDIC-ACID
- ARGININE
- ASCORBIC-ACID
- ASH
- ASPARTIC-ACID
- BEHENIC-ACID
- CALCIUM
- BETA-CAROTENE
- CARPAINE
- CHOLINE
- CHLORINE
- COBALT
- COPPER
show 241 more documented entries
- CYANOCOBALAMIN
- CYSTINE
- DIHYDROACTINIDIOLIDE
- DIOSCIN
- DIOSGENIN
- ELEMENE
- FENUGREEKINE
- FIBER
- FOLACIN
- GALACTINOL
- ALPHA-GALACTOSIDASE
- GENTIANINE
- GLYCINE
- HOMOORIENTIN
- 3-HYDROXY-4,5-DIMETHYL-2-FURANONE
- 4-HYDROXYISOLEUCINE-LACTONE
- KILOCALORIES
- LECITHIN
- LUTEOLIN
- LYSINE
- MANGANESE
- BETA-MANNANAN
- ALPHA-MANNOSIDASE
- METHIONINE
- MUCILAGE
- MUCIN
- MUUROLENE
- NIACIN
- OLEIC-ACID
- ORIENTIN-ARABINOSIDE
- PHENYLALANINE
- POTASSIUM
- PROLINE
- PROTEIN
- PYRIDOXINE
- QUERCETIN
- RUTIN
- SELENINE
- SILICON
- BETA-SITOSTEROL
- SODIUM
- STACHYOSE
- SUCROSE
- TIN
- TRIGONELLOSIDES
- TRILLIN
- TRYPTOPHAN
- VERBASCOSE
- XYLOSE
- ZINC
- SAPONIN
- STEARIC-ACID
- THREONINE
- 3,4,7-TRIMETHYLCOUMARIN
- COUMARIN
- DIHYDROBENZOFURAN
- D-MANNOSE
- 4-METHYL-7-ACETOXYCOUMARIN
- VALINE
- YAMOGENIN-TETROSIDES
- ARABINOSE
- BIOTIN
- CARBOHYDRATES
- CHROMIUM
- P-COUMARIC-ACID
- DIGALACTOSYLMYOINOSITOL
- ENDO-BETA-MANNANASE
- FAT
- FOLIC-ACID
- GALACTOMANNAN
- GLUTAMIC-ACID
- HISTIDINE
- IRON
- KAEMPFEROL
- MAGNESIUM
- MYO-INOSITOL
- ORIENTIN
- PHOSPHORUS
- PROTOPECTIN
- RAFFINOSE
- SELENIUM
- THIAMIN
- TRIGOFORIN
- TYROSINE
- VITEXIN-7-GLUCOSIDE
- SERINE
- TRIGOFOENOSIDES
- WATER
- SULFUR
- XANTHOPHYLL
- LIGNIN
- ALANINE
- ISOLEUCINE
- RIBOFLAVIN
- CAMPESTEROL
- 25-(S)-DIOSGENIN
- 7-ACETOXY-4-METHYLCOUMARIN
- CHOLESTEROL
- NEODIOSGENIN
- URIDINE-DIPHOSPHOGALACOSE-4-EPIMERASE
- FENUGRIN-A
- FENUGRIN-B
- FENUGRIN-C
- FENUGRIN-D
- FIXED-OIL
- FORMONONETIN
- FRUCTOSE
- FUROST-5-ENE-3-BETA-22-26-TRIOL
- GITOGENIN
- FENUGREEK-INHIBITOR-TFI-A-8
- FENUGREEK-INHIBITOR-TFI-B-2
- FENUGREEK-INHIBITOR-TFN-N-2
- 3',4',7-TRIHYDROXYFLAVONE
- 4',7-DIHYDROXYFLAVONE
- 4-HYDROXYISOLEUCINE
- GRAECUNIN-A
- GRAECUNIN-B
- GRAECUNIN-C
- GRAECUNIN-D
- GRAECUNIN-E
- GRAECUNIN-F
- GRAECUNIN-H-1
- GRAECUNIN-H-2
- GRAECUNIN-H-3
- GRAECUNIN-I
- GRAECUNIN-J
- GRAECUNIN-L
- GRAECUNIN-M
- GRAECUNIN-N
- ISOORIENTIN
- JAMOGENIN
- KAEMPFEROL-3,7-DIGLUCOSIDE
- KAEMPFEROL-3-7-DIGLYCOSIDE
- LEUCINE
- LINOLEIC-ACID
- NEOGITOGENIN
- NICOTINAMIDE
- NICOTINIC-ACID
- OCTADECATRIENOIC-ACID
- OXALIC-ACID
- PALMITIC-ACID
- PALMITOLEIC-ACID
- PEROXIDASE
- PHENYLALANINE-AMMONIA-LYASE
- PHOSPHATASE
- PHYTASE
- PHYTIC-ACID
- PYRAZINE
- TYROSINE-AMMONIA-LYASE
- 3-BETA-HYDROXY-PREGNA-5-16-DIEN-20-ONE
- 2,5-DIMETHYL-PYRAZINE
- 2,6-DIMETHYL-PYRAZINE
- 2-ETHYL-3-METHYL-PYRAZINE
- 2-ETHYL-5-METHYL-PYRAZINE
- 2-ETHYL-PYRAZINE
- 2-METHOXY-3-METHYLPYRAZINE
- 2-METHOXY-3-SEC-BUTYL-PYRAZINE
- 2-METHYL-THIO-3-ISO-PROPYL-PYRAZINE
- 2-METHYL-PYRAZINE
- 25-ALPHA-SPIROSTA-3,5-DIENE
- ISOQUERCITRIN
- NEOTIGOGENIN
- NEOTIGONENIN
- QUERCITRIN
- SARSASAPOGENIN
- SMILAGENIN
- SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE
- TIGOGENIN
- TRIGONELLIC-ACID
- TRIGONELLINE
- 3'-METHOXY-QUERCETIN
- QUERCETIN-3,7-DIGLUCOSIDE
- 3-BETA-O-(L-RHAMNOSYL)-(1-4)-(L-RHAMNOSYL)-(GLUCOSYL)-SPIROST-5-EN-3-BETA-OL
- (25-R)-SPIROSTA-3-5-DIENE
- SPIROSTA-3-5-DIENE
- 25-BETA-SPIROSTA-3-5-DIENE
- SPIROSTAN-3-5-DIENE
- 25(S)-TIGOGENIN
- TRIGOFOENOSIDE-A
- TRIGOFOENOSIDE-B
- TRIGOFOENOSIDE-C
- TRIGOFOENOSIDE-D
- TRIGOFOENOSIDE-F
- TRIGOFOENOSIDE-G
- TRIGONELLA-FOENUM-GRACEUM-GALACTOMANNAN
- TRIGONELLA-FOENUM-GRACEUM-FLAVONE-GLYCOSIDE
- TRIGONELLA-GALACTOMANNAN
- TRIGONELLA-GLYCOSIDE-B
- ISOVITEXIN
- VICENIN-1
- VICENIN-2
- VITAMIN-K
- VITEXIN
- VITEXIN-2'-O-P-COUMARATE
- VITEXIN-7-O-BETA-D-GLUCOSIDE
- YAMOGENIN
- TRIGONELLOSIDE-C
- TRYPSIN-INHIBITOR-TFI-A-8
- TRYPSIN-INHIBITOR-TFI-N-2
- ALKALOIDS
- FIBER(CRUDE)
- FIBER(DIETARY)
- POLYSACCHARIDES
- SAPONINS
- STARCH
- SUGARS
- THIAMINE
- FENUGRIN-E
- GRAECUNIN-G
- GRAECUNIN-H-4
- GRAECUNIN-K
- GRIGONELLOSIDE
- KAEMPFEROL-3-GLYCOSIDE
- LINOLENIC-ACID
- NEO-BETA-CAROTENE
- STIGMASTEROL
- YUCCAGENIN
- YAMOGENIN-3,26-BIGLYCOSIDE
- 5-METHYL-DELTA-CAPROLACTONE
- APIGENIN
- CATECHOLS
- EPISARSASAPOGENIN
- EPISMILAGENIN
- FLAVONOLS
- GENISTEIN
- GRAECUNIN-H...
- HEXADECANE
- ISOORIENTIN-ARABINOSIDE
- L-HISTIDINE
- L-ARGININE
- PHENOLS
- PHYTATE
- PHYTOSTEROLS
- SALICYLATES
- SAPONARETIN
- SOTOLONE
- UNDECANE
- VITEXIN-CINNAMATE
- 24-XI-ETHYL-CHOLEST-5-EN-3-BETA-OL
- EO
- FOENUGRAECIN
Legality
No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.
Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.
Reference images

Sources
Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP
World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0
show claim source mapping
- identity · DH-SRC-0030
- documented_uses · DH-SRC-0030
- compounds · DH-SRC-0030
- taxonomy · DH-SRC-GBIF · source ↗
- common_names · DH-SRC-GBIF · source ↗
- countries · DH-SRC-GBIF · source ↗
- wfo_taxonomy · DH-SRC-0003 · source ↗
- cultural_records · DH-SRC-0030 · source ↗
- powo_taxonomy · DH-SRC-0001 · source ↗
- wcvp_taxonomy · DH-SRC-0002 · source ↗
CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive
Contributions and revisions
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