Fenugreek Seed

    Fruit of an herb native to the Mediterranean region, fenugreek seeds are most commonly used as tea for the relief of fever or to soothe irritated intestinal tracts. The tea can also be used as a gargle for sore throats. One teaspoon of seeds steeped in 2 cups boiling water will yield a delicate brew with a slightly licorice flavor. In India fenugreek seeds are used in curry sauces and the herb itself is eaten as a vegetable. The ground seeds can be mixed with water to a gelatinous paste and used as a poultice on wounds or inflamed areas of the skin. In the sixteenth century it was said the aroma of the seeds kept away “noisome worms and creeping things.”