Fenugreek Seed is a popular herb for soothing the stomach and calming disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. Thyme, also a popular culinary herb, has been used traditionally for common winter aliments.

Appearance

Fenugreek is a clover-like plant with small white flowers indigenous to western Asia and southeastern Europe. It is cultivated throughout the Mediterranean, India and Northern Africa. Early Romans called this herb Foenum graecum "Greek hay," because they brought this common fodder from Greece. Fenugreek is sometimes called "Goat's Horn" because the seed has a hornlike shape.

Thyme is a perennial native to the Mediterranean. Most varieties grow to only six to twelve inches in height. The leaves are dark gray-green in color, and pale pink flowers bloom at the tips of the stems in summer.

History

Fenugreek was among the therapeutic aids recognized by Ancient Egyptians as long ago as the 16th century BC, and the herb was also used in mummification. Charred fenugreek seeds have been recovered from Tell Halal, Iraq (radiocarbon dating to 4000 BC), and Bronze Age levels of Lachish, as well as desiccated seeds from the tomb of Tutankhamen. Fenugreek has been used for centuries by ancient Indian, Greek, and Arabic traditional healers. Today the major use of fenugreek is culinary, as an ingredient in curry powders, especially the hot curries of Sri Lanka. Fenugreek is an ingredient of Panch phoron, the Indian five-spice mixture. Many chutneys and pickles incorporate fenugreek, and it gives a tangy aroma to vegetables. The leaves, both fresh and dried, are used in meat curries, dhal, vegetable dishes and chutneys. The seeds are an ingredient of the Middle Eastern confection halva.

Thyme has been known since ancient times for its magical, culinary, and therapeutic properties. Celtic tradition held that an infusion of thyme taken as a tea on midsummer's eve would enable one to see fairies dancing. Young women wore a corsage of blossoming thyme to signal their availability for romance. Greek folk herbalists believed that thyme would impart courage (thumus in Greek) to those who used the herb, particularly soldiers. Greek men particularly liked the pungent scent of thyme and would rub the herb on their chests. The Romans believed that adding thyme to bath water would impart energy.

Thyme was grown in monastery gardens in southern France and in Spain and Italy during the Middle Ages for use as a cough remedy and digestive aid. And in the kitchen thyme has been used for centuries to season sauces, stuffing, and soups.

The use of this herbal supplement is a traditional nutritional use that is not intended to be prescribed for, or to treat any disease, and does not claim to cure any disease, including diseases involving fevers, colds, flu or invading organisms.

Caution: As with any dietary or herbal supplement, you should advise your health care practitioner of the use of this product. If you have ulcers, gallstones or are nursing, pregnant, or considering pregnancy, you should consult your health care provider prior to taking this product.