Trigonella foenum-graecum
planetary ruler: Mercury
element: Air
associated deities: Apollo, Shitala
magical virtues: Increase, health, protection, love, banishing negativity
The name of this plant comes from foenum-graecum, meaning “Greek hay,” as the plant was often used as an additive to hay because cattle and horses both love it. The cavalry units of Imperial Rome carried it with them to use as a treatment for sick horses. In Britain fenugreek was employed by the Horseman’s Word, or Society of Horsemen, an initiatory secret organisation amongst those who worked with horses during the nineteenth century that used “magical” rituals to control horses. Most of these techniques were based on the horse’s sharp sense of smell. Certain substances placed in front of the horse or on the animal itself would cause it to refuse to move forward. This technique is known as jading and is still used by horse trainers today. One stopping oil included cumin seed, celandine, feverfew, fenugreek, and horehound. 105 Fenugreek can be used to work with horse familiars and power animals.
Fenugreek’s primary magical power is that of increase—increasing love, increasing prosperity, increasing health, increasing breast milk, and even, reputedly, increasing the size of a woman’s breasts. Use it in spells, rituals, and charms when you want something to increase. Try sprouting some fenugreek seeds as a spell of increase. You can add fenugreek to a Money-Drawing Incense or oil, anoint a green candle with Fenugreek Infused Oil and burn it, or put it in sachets, charm bags, and talismans to draw prosperity.
In both ancient and modern lore, fenugreek is considered an aphrodisiac, increasing libido in men. You can try adding some fenugreek to food and drink or use in spells and rituals of lust.
While drawing and increasing positivity, fenugreek repels negativity. It was used in the ancient Egyptian town of Esna to repel Apophis, the most dangerous god of chaos and darkness who constantly threatened the divine order. Images of the god were burned with fenugreek and bryonia to banish him. 106 You can use fennel seeds in rituals and spells to drive back chaos and negativity. Try writing down something you wish to be rid of—a bad habit, for example—and burning the paper along with some fenugreek seeds on some charcoal on a fireproof dish. If you feel as though life has slipped off-course and that you have had a run of bad luck because you are not aligned with your cosmic life path, try working with the energy of fenugreek in the form of Fenugreek Seed Tea, anointing your forehead with Fenugreek Infused Oil, and meditating while burning fenugreek seeds.
In Hindu mythology fenugreek is associated with Shitala Devi (“She Who Cools”), the goddess who cures childhood diseases. In representations of her, she has four hands holding a short broom, a winnowing fan, a jar of cooling water, and a drinking cup. All tin, brass, and clay pots are believed to be filled with the power of the goddess, fertility, and healing. When a ritual pitcher is installed in a temple, it is filled with Ganges water and offerings such as fenugreek and aniseed are presented. Use in spells and rituals of healing.
culinary uses
Fresh fenugreek seeds are used as flavouring for curry spice, added to bread, roasted as a coffee substitute, and used to flavour drinks or give a maple flavouring to confectionery. The seeds may be sprouted and the shoots used as salad greens, as they are in Egypt, or cooked.
cosmetic uses
Julius Caesar mentioned an ointment called telinum made from fenugreek and called it soothing. Pliny wrote of it as an ingredient in myrtinum (myrtle unguent), among the most popular Egyptian unguents of his time. The ancient world knew the power of fenugreek to improve the skin and diminish wrinkles. One Egyptian fenugreek oil was said to transform “an old man into a young man”—at least on the outside. 107
Fenugreek softens and soothes the skin. It contains lecithin, a natural lipid. Cosmetics manufacturers often add lecithin to products as a skin-conditioning agent and emulsifier. The seeds also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and are rich in vitamin B3, which helps repair damaged skin cells and regenerate new ones. Grind the seeds and add honey to use as a homemade facial scrub, or use Fenugreek Infused Oil as a night serum. You can apply a Fenugreek Poultice mixture as a face pack.
The nicotinic acid in fenugreek seeds stimulates hair growth, and the lecithin soothes and shines it. Use Fenugreek Infused Oil as a hot oil treatment, or use Fenugreek Seed Tea as a hair rinse.
medicinal uses
actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, antispasmodic, demulcent, digestive, emollient, galactogogue, hypoglycaemic, immune stimulant
In Chinese medicine fenugreek is used mainly as a restorative in chronic fatigue and sexual debility. In Islamic medicine the seed is such a treasured tonic that the prophet Mohammed said, “If you knew the value of the fenugreek, you would pay its weight in gold.” 108 Dioscorides advocated fenugreek for all types of gynaecological disorders. In the Middle East many nursing mothers take fenugreek seed to increase the flow of milk.
Fenugreek seeds contain a high percentage of mucilage, which is not absorbed by the body but instead passes through the intestines and triggers intestinal muscle contractions. Therefore, fenugreek is a mild but effective laxative. This makes it helpful in treating constipation.
Fenugreek’s soothing mucilage helps to relieve a sore throat and hoarseness. Drink or gargle with Fenugreek Seed Tea with the addition of a squeeze of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey.
Fenugreek contains the chemicals diosgenin and oestrogenic isoflavones, which are similar to the female sex hormone, oestrogen. Loss of oestrogen causes menopausal symptoms. Eating fenugreek and drinking Fenugreek Seed Tea can be useful for menopausal symptoms.
A Fenugreek Poultice may benefit rheumatism and arthritis.
Caution: Fenugreek is considered safe for people when taken by mouth in amounts normally found in food, and for most people in medicinal amounts for a period of up to six months. Side effects can include diarrhoea, stomach upset, bloating, gas, and a “maple syrup” odour in urine. Pregnant women should not take fenugreek by mouth. Large amounts of fenugreek can lower blood sugar, so be careful if you are diabetic or hypoglycaemic. Large amounts of fenugreek should not be taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs as it may increase the effect of the drugs. Individuals who have allergies to peanuts or soybeans may also be allergic to fenugreek. Repeatedly applying topical fenugreek to the same areas may cause itching, redness, or a rash in some people.
Recipes
Fenugreek Seed Tea
1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds, lightly ground
250 millilitres (1 cup) cold water
Soak together overnight. Strain the seeds out of the liquid before drinking the tea, which can be warmed or drunk cold.
Fenugreek Infused Oil
2 tablespoons fenugreek seeds, crushed
500 millilitres (2 cups) vegetable oil
Lightly grind the fenugreek seeds. Put them in a double boiler and cover with the vegetable oil. Simmer very gently, covered, for two hours. Turn off the heat and allow the oil to cool before straining into a sterilised bottle.
Fenugreek Face Mask
1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds
2 tablespoons yogurt (soy yoghurt is fine)
Grind the fenugreek seeds. Add the yoghurt and let sit for three hours. Apply to your face and neck and leave for thirty minutes. Rinse with warm water and follow with a splash of cold water and a moisturiser.
Fenugreek Poultice
50 grams (¼ cup) freshly ground fenugreek seeds
1 litre (4 cups) boiling water
Combine and stand until the mixture makes a thick gel. Apply to the desired area and cover with a cotton cloth.
Protection Charm Bag
9 fenugreek seeds
3 leaves dried basil
2 black peppercorns
1 red chilli (dried)
7 cloves
5 dill seeds
piece of dried lemon peel
Sew into a white bag, holding your intent in your mind as you assemble and create this charm. The bag can be hung up by the door of your house to protect it or carried when you feel you need protection in difficult situations.
Money-Drawing Incense
½ part fenugreek, crushed
¼ part basil, dried and shredded
½ part cinnamon sticks, crushed
⅛ part clove, crushed
½ part ginger powder
½ part orange peel, dried and shredded
few drops orange essential oil (optional)
3 parts frankincense (optional)
Blend together and burn on charcoal.
105 George Ewart Evans, Horse Power and Magic (London: Faber, 1979).
106 Ian Rutherford, Animal Sacrifice in the Ancient Greek World (Cambridge University Press, 2017).
107 Lise Manniche, An Ancient Egyptian Herbal (University of Texas Press, 1999).
108 https://www.islamicmedicineacademy.co.uk, accessed 10 November 2017.