Methi leaves are also called fenugreek. During winter, local marketplaces sell fresh methi.
Methi, or fenugreek, is a member of the Fabaceae family and one of the oldest therapeutic herbs.
Daal methi, mathris, crunchy parathas, and tasty stir-fries can be cooked with aromatic, savoury, and bitter methi.
Methi can be consumed during any season of the year. Vegetables are flavoured with dried methi leaves and seeds year-round. Ayurveda uses it to treat anaemia, high blood pressure, blood purification, cholesterol, detoxification, diabetes, and blood sugar.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found that 25–100-gram fenugreek seeds moderate blood sugar. Methi is also natural and nutritious. Methi is a popular spice crop due to these qualities.
Let us explore methi further.
Methi—What Is It?
Methi is an annual herb native to southern Europe and Asia with white flowers and hard, angular, yellowish-brown seeds. Methi, a soy herb, Methi seeds and leaves are pungent. It grows in India, North Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Methi is a spice, herb, and vegetable (seeds). Lightly toasting or cooking methi leaves and seeds reduces their bitterness.
They have some thiamin. Seeds, leaves, twigs, and roots are spices, flavourings, and supplements.
The ICMR and NIN have found health advantages of methi. This needs more research.
Nutrition Of Methi
Methi leaves treat arthritis worldwide. Fenugreek leaves twice a day clear the intestines and wash away waste. The protein and fibre in leaves and seeds are also high.
Methi leaves include folic acid, thiamin, vitamins A, B6, and C, riboflavin, and niacin. Fenugreek leaves include calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. Vitamin K is in methi leaves.
Methi leaves contain:
- Calories – 49 kcal
- Carbohydrates – 6 g
- Proteins – 4.4 g
- Total Fat – 0.9 g
- Dietary Fiber – 1.1 g
- Calcium – 395 m
- Iron – 1.93 m
- Phosphorus – 51 mg
- Copper – 0.26 mg
- Magnesium – 59 mg
- Vitamin A – 1%
- Vitamin C – 5%
- Vitamin B2 – 0.28 mg
Methi Health Advantages
Lysine, trigonelline, and l-tryptophan are abundant in methi. The seed's saponins and fibre contribute to methi health advantages. Methi has been used for the following health benefits and ailments.
1. Aids Weight Loss
Fenugreek improves weight loss with diet and exercise. This herb's temporary energy boosts decreased satiety, and probable glucose metabolism alterations aid weight loss.
2. Reduces Cholesterol
Saponins in methi lower cholesterol absorption from fatty diets. According to a study, saponins may also lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
3. Lowers Blood Sugar And Diabetes
A peculiar amino acid (4HO-Ile) found solely in methi may reduce diabetes by enhancing insulin synthesis and sensitivity under hyperglycemic settings.
The University of Medical Science has suggested adding 4HO-Ile to type 1 and type 2 diabetes treatment. It is a diabetes-friendly dish.
4. Improves Milk Production
Methi has been a milk-producing herb since ancient times. Methi stimulates breast milk production in mothers.
5. Improves Digestion
Fenugreek seeds mucilage coats the stomach and intestinal lining, relieving heartburn and acid reflux.
Healthy Recipe Suggestions Using Methi
1. Methi Roti Or Paratha
This is a great way to eat more methi leaves. Fresh methi leaves provide flavour. The dough can be kneaded using kasoori methi or fresh methi leaves.
The dough requires wheat flour, green chillies, ginger or ginger paste, methi leaves, and water. To add flavour, knead the dough with 1-2 teaspoons of curd.
Salt and red chilli powder the flour to taste. After making dough, use dry flour to make roti or paratha with ghee. Serve with pickles.
2. Saag Methi
This is a fascinating fenugreek leaf recipe. This methi-leaf meal is diabetic-friendly like Palak or Sarson Ka Saag.
This delicious Saag dish requires fresh methi leaves, ginger-garlic-green chilli paste, tomato, onion, and authentic North Indian spices. Mustard oil enhances the taste of this dish. It goes nicely with plain or missi roti.
3. Methi Paneer
This delicacy is offered in dried and curries forms. To cook the dish, you will also need paneer, onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, green chilli paste, and a range of additional spices. To increase the flavour of kasoori methi, add milk and cashew paste.
4. Chicken Methi.
Homemade methi chicken is flavorful and healthful. Some people add fresh fenugreek leaves or kasoori methi to this dish.
Methi murgh is cooked using chicken, fresh fenugreek leaves, onion-tomato paste, ginger-garlic-green chilli paste, red chilli powder, coriander powder, salt, and methi.
5. Methi Chutney
This South Indian chutney is cooked using fresh methi leaves, jaggery, tamarind, garlic, red chilies, salt, and other spices. Roti, parathas, simple rice, and even idli go well with this chutney. Sweet and tart, it tastes.
6. Methi Salad
Cook methi leaves with onion in oil. Spices, jaggery, sliced tomatoes, and lemon increase the flavour.
7. Methi Soup
It is a winter warmer. It uses fresh fenugreek leaves, tomatoes, onions, and crushed pepper.
Dietitian Advice
Soluble fibre-rich methi leaves are low in calories. These leaves are good for dieters since they keep you full longer.
Heartburn symptoms can be reduced. Methi was compared to antacids in an ICMR study. Thus, methi helps maintain health.
The Bottom Line
Fenugreek leaves are one of the oldest medicinal plants. The whole plant of fenugreek has healing properties.
As a culinary herb, it is famous worldwide. The seeds are flavorful. Recipes can use bright green leaves.
Methi veggies offer extraordinary health benefits.
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