Fenugreek research update

There’s no doubt that U.S. herbal supplement usage is on the rise, with HerbalGram report data showing a year-over-year sales increase of 8.5% in 2017, the strongest growth in U.S. herbal supplements sales in over 15 years, surpassing $8 billion.¹ A growing body of research and industry recognition have raised the profile of trending herbs like turmeric, green tea, cranberry, and echinacea. Interestingly, another herb that saw tremendous growth in U.S. mainstream sales channels is fenugreek. According to the HerbalGram report, sales of fenugreek in that channel increased over 33.5% in 2017 compared to 2016, indicating that this herb is gaining serious momentum.

Fenugreek is a versatile herb with traditional use based in the Ayurvedic tradition. While it is well-renowned for its blood sugar supportive properties-and this remains a primary indication for the herb-recent research highlights fenugreek’s benefits in other areas, as well. These include women’s health (by reducing menopausal symptoms) and men’s health (by promoting healthy testosterone levels and sexual function). Fenugreek is also being studied for its potential benefits for stress and anxiety. Studies summarized here attest to the broad range of this herb’s utility, suggesting that its growth and appreciation with consumers is likely to continue.

References:
1. Smith T et al., “Herbal Supplement Sales in US Increased 8.5% in 2017, Topping $8 Billion,” HerbalGram, No. 119 (2018): 62-71

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