Fenugreek And Hair Growth

Fenugreek has very beneficial effects on hair growth, lustre and health.

It has a unique mix of constituents, which contribute to maintaining healthy-looking hair and a well-nourished scalp. The discovery that fenugreek helps encourage stronger, fuller hair came about accidentally, after a German painter used fenugreek seeds to treat his bronchitis.

After several months of use, he noticed that besides easing his chest, his hair had also begun to improve and even re-grow in some places.

Fenugreek belongs to the family Fabaceae and is cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop. The leaves and seeds of Fenugreek are used as herbs and spice.

Fenugreek is a good source of nicotinic acid. The germinated seeds contain a-galactosidase. The young seeds of the Fenugreek plant contain small amounts of low-molecular weight carbohydrates. The seeds contain 30 per cent protein.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) prevents hair fall, contains lecithin and promotes hair growth. The seeds contain four flavonoid components (2 glycosides and 2 aglycones) and two steroidal saponins.

An alkaloid, trigonelline, is present in the seeds. The leaves contain xanthophyll and ß-carotene; they also contain neo-ß-carotene ß and neo-ß-carotene. The leaves are a good source of choline. The seeds are aromatic, carminative, tonic, and galactagogue. It is a mild diuretic and is effective in reducing weight. vitamin K is also present in the leaves of Fenugreek. Fenugreek has also being used to treat diabetes.

Also called Greek hay in English and Methi in India, Fenugreek is an effective Herb proven to increase hair growth and reduce male pattern baldness. The seeds of Fenugreek are extremely potent and thus have a medicinal effect to reduce balding, hair fall, and hair thinning. For hair fall and dandruff, the crushed or boiled seeds alone have been found to restore the hair shaft. The seeds also contain hormone precursors that replenish hair growth.

A natural emollient lecithin, known to strengthen and moisturize hair, is present in abundance. Similarly, high content of protein in Fenugreek explains its restorative ability on damaged and falling hair.

Flavonoids are known to improve the health of blood vessels. This can lead to an improved supply of blood to all parts of the body, including the scalp.

The alkaloid trigonellin helps in the expansion of blood vessels and the resulting increase of blood flow to the hair follicles. Fenugreek, therefore, is thought to work by increasing the dilation of blood vessels to the scalp, thereby improving blood circulation and nutrient supply to this area.