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Fenugreek Alkaloids:A Medicinal Commodity
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Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) commonly known as methi, is an annual herb that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It’s one among the prominent spices utilized in cookery. The leaves and seeds of fenugreek are also utilised in medicative applications and is one among the oldest practices of human history. Fenugreek is native to the eastern Mediterranean countries. It is cultivated in Africa, India, China, Morocco, Egypt and rarely in England. India is amongst the leading producers of methi in the world. Seeds are sown directly. The plant attains a height of 30-80 cm. The leaves are trifoliate and flowers are white that appear in early summer. They develop into long, slender brownish-yellow pods containing the brown seeds. The seeds are collected during the autumn. Best known for presence of pungent aromatic compounds in their seeds, methi provides colour, flavour and aroma to food. It is orally consumed as a leafy vegetable. It has been used as a medicinal plant since more than 4000 years in various parts of world. Because of this reason, it is known as the oldest medicinal plant in the history of human race.
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