Related Compounds
Compounds connected by the same goals, effects, or research topics.
Herb Profile
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum graecum
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is a legume whose seeds supply soluble fiber, steroidal saponins, and the amino acid 4 hydroxyisoleucine.
Last reviewed: •3 sources citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·B Moderate
Standard caution — GI discomfort, maple odor in sweat Details
- Evidence
- Moderate Evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- Low caution
- Best for
- Metabolic
- Avoid / review if
- Antidiabetics, Anticoagulants
At a glance
From this profile's structured data- Evidence
- Grade B
- Safety
- GI discomfort, maple odor in sweat
- Profile context
- metabolic
Safety
Safety & Cautions
GI discomfort, maple odor in sweat
Standard caution
Caution level: Standard. No specific caution categories were detected in the source record.
Detailed safety fields
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications
- Antidiabetics
- Anticoagulants
Full safety note
- GI discomfort, maple odor in sweat
Evidence-based safety
Caution when combined
Severity and certainty are shown separately. A high-priority caution can still be theoretical: these pairings are screened from shared contraindication mechanisms and are not automatically documented clinical interactions. Provenance identifies the source fields that produced each flag; it does not upgrade the certainty of the pairwise claim.
High-Priority Caution
147 flagged pairingsBleeding / anticoagulant risk
High-Priority Caution
147 flagged pairingsBleeding / anticoagulant risk
Representative pairings are shown below. Large mechanism groups are intentionally summarized to keep profiles focused and crawl-efficient.
Bleeding / anticoagulant riskCertainty: Theoretical
Data provenance recorded for 147 of 147 pairings in this mechanism group.
- aescin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Aged Garlic Extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- ajoene — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Ajwain — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Allicin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Garlic — Theoretical interaction certainty
- American Ginseng Extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Andrographis — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Archangelica — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Dahurica — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Pubescens — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Root — Theoretical interaction certainty
+135 more pairings share this mechanism. Use the Safety Checker to review a specific combination.
Moderate Caution
110 flagged pairingsBlood-sugar lowering
Moderate Caution
110 flagged pairingsBlood-sugar lowering
Representative pairings are shown below. Large mechanism groups are intentionally summarized to keep profiles focused and crawl-efficient.
Blood-sugar loweringCertainty: Theoretical
Data provenance recorded for 110 of 110 pairings in this mechanism group.
- Acarbose — Theoretical interaction certainty
- ajoene — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Allicin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Aloe Vera — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid — Theoretical interaction certainty
- American Ginseng Extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Andrographis — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Anemarrhena Asphodeloides — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Tarragon — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Ashoka — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Astragalus — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Astragalus Membranaceus — Theoretical interaction certainty
+98 more pairings share this mechanism. Use the Safety Checker to review a specific combination.
Evidence
Evidence Summary
Evidence lens
Useful signal, but study design, dose, and population still matter.
ModerateModerate Evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Metabolic Regulation · Glucose Metabolism Support · Lipid Metabolism Support
Research maturity: Established research — Long Term Human Evidence May Be Limited.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — GI discomfort, maple odor in sweat
This profile cites 3 human studies.
Study design details
Evidence Grade
Grade B: Moderate Evidence
Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.
- Design Match
- Meta-analysis
- Risk of Bias
- Low
- Consistency
- Consistent
Strongest recorded design is a meta-analysis, drawn from 7 recorded studies, 7 in people. No disagreement is recorded across them.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
- Strong
- Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
- Moderate
- Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
- Preliminary / Mixed
- Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
- Traditional / Theoretical
- Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (8)7 human evidence sources · 0 human trials · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable
Filter by study class
Showing 8 of 8 studies.
What the evidence actually shows
This table contains 8 structured sources, including 7 human evidence sources; 0 are human trials.
| Study | Design | N | Dose | Duration | Population | Outcome | Result & magnitude | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mansoori A et al. · Phytother Res · 2020 Background | Meta-analysis Statistically combines results from multiple eligible studies; confidence still depends on the quality, consistency, and directness of those studies. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Background | Meta-analysis Statistically combines results from multiple eligible studies; confidence still depends on the quality, consistency, and directness of those studies. | — | — | — | — | — | Fenugreek produced a modest pooled reduction in systolic blood pressure. | PubMed → |
The Effect of Fenugreek on the Severity of Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Background | Meta-analysis Statistically combines results from multiple eligible studies; confidence still depends on the quality, consistency, and directness of those studies. | — | — | — | — | — | Fenugreek showed a large pooled reduction in primary-dysmenorrhea pain versus placebo. | PubMed → |
Background | Meta-analysis Statistically combines results from multiple eligible studies; confidence still depends on the quality, consistency, and directness of those studies. | — | — | — | — | — | Fenugreek significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and postprandial glucose versus control. | PubMed → |
Background | Meta-analysis Statistically combines results from multiple eligible studies; confidence still depends on the quality, consistency, and directness of those studies. | — | — | — | — | — | Fenugreek improved fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL, BMI, and HDL in pooled analyses. | PubMed → |
Background | Meta-analysis Statistically combines results from multiple eligible studies; confidence still depends on the quality, consistency, and directness of those studies. | — | — | — | — | — | Fenugreek improved fasting glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, HbA1c, and insulin in pooled analyses. | PubMed → |
Show 2 more studies
Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review Smith SJ et al. · Adv Nutr · 2021 Background | Systematic review Uses a predefined method to find and evaluate relevant studies, but may or may not pool their results statistically. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Luo W et al. · J Cell Mol Med · 2023 Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Dosing & Timing
- Dose guidance
- 5 25 g seed powder OR 1 g extract
How Fenugreek works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Fenugreek Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
- Metabolic Regulation
- Glucose Metabolism Support
- Lipid Metabolism Support
Active Compounds
Key constituents studied in Fenugreek, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.
Compare related active botanicals
Explore botanicals with similar chemistry, effects, or safety considerations in the Botanical Activity Atlas.
Guides that use Fenugreek
Condition guides
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Review available sources for Fenugreek
Independent database mapping — evaluated separately from safety and efficacy scores.
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Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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