Women's Health

- 3 min read

Fenugreek - The Fragrant Spice with Complex Benefits

Fenugreek isn't just a fragrant spice. It has incredible benefits that have been used for centuries in many cultures.

This ancient spice is so versatile it can be used in cooking, herbal teas, and even beauty products. Fenugreek has many health benefits and has been proven to reduce inflammation and improve blood sugar levels in those with diabetes.

Whether you want to spice up your dish or gain some health benefits, fenugreek is definitely worth considering!

History: Flavorful Spice in Many Dishes

The use of fenugreek dates back over 4,000 years and has been cultivated in the Mediterranean region since ancient times. Fenugreek is a unique, fragrant spice that's been used in the cuisines of many cultures for centuries. This flavorful spice can be found in numerous dishes, ranging from curries and stews to even bread and pastries.

The small yellow-brown seeds of the fenugreek plant have a strong aroma and an earthy flavour similar to maple syrup. When cooked or roasted, these seeds become incredibly aromatic and provide an intense flavour boost to any dish. In India, it is often used to make curry or chutney; in Ethiopia, it's used to make injera bread; across the Middle East, it is added to salads and stews.

Medicinal Benefits: Wide Range of Uses

Fenugreek, a fragrant spice with a sweet and nutty taste, is an important culinary and medicinal ingredient used in many cultures around the world.

As an essential component of Ayurvedic medicine, this herb contains active compounds known to reduce inflammation, support digestive health, lower cholesterol levels and even boost libido – just to name a few! It’s no wonder people have been using this wonderful spice for thousands of years! Its unique combination of nutrients makes it effective in treating a variety of common ailments.

For Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. For those affected, managing the symptoms and health risks can be difficult.

Fenugreek is often used to treat diabetes because it helps slow digestion and the body's absorption of carbohydrates. This helps reduce blood sugar levels after eating as well as improve insulin sensitivity in the body.

For High Cholesterol

Studies have found that fenugreek can lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), increase levels of good cholesterol (HDL), and reduce triglyceride levels. This makes it an effective remedy for those looking to reduce their risk of heart disease caused by high cholesterol. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties which can help protect the cardiovascular system from further damage.

Fenugreek could be considered an effective lipid-lowering medicinal plant.

For Heart Health

Those with heart issues may want to consider adding fenugreek to their diet. Fenugreek contains several active ingredients such as saponins, diosgenin and trigonelline which provide numerous health benefits to the body. These compounds work together to help reduce cholesterol levels, prevent arterial damage, make platelets less sticky and stabilize blood sugar levels which all play a role in lowering the risk of heart problems.

For Hormone Balancing

Fenugreek is a powerful herb that has long been used as a traditional remedy to treat various health conditions. It is known to be particularly effective in treating hormone imbalance, and its effectiveness can be attributed to the presence of certain active compounds such as saponin, galactomannan, and phytoestrogen.

Saponin is a natural compound found in fenugreek that helps reduce inflammation and supports the endocrine system by stimulating your hormones. Galactomannan, another major component of fenugreek, is believed to help balance hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Lastly, phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds found in fenugreek that mimic the action of human estrogens, thus helping to balance out any hormonal imbalances you may have, such as postmenopausal for women.

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Side Effects and Precautions

While fenugreek offers many health benefits, it also comes with some potential unwanted effects.

For instance, one of the most common side effects of taking fenugreek is bloating. This can occur when too much fenugreek is taken or if someone has a sensitive stomach that does not react well to the herb. Other possible side effects include diarrhoea, upset stomach, headaches and dizziness.

As a result, it's usually best to take fenugreek supplements after a meal to avoid digestive issues.

Conclusion

The many uses of fenugreek make it a powerful ally when it comes to overall health and well-being. From its culinary applications to its ability to aid in diabetes, improve cholesterol and heart health, lower inflammation, and balance hormones, the benefits of this fragrant spice are immense.

As with any herbal supplement or remedy, it's important to consult your healthcare provider before adding fenugreek into your diet or daily regimen.

Is Female Viagra (Addyi®) Available in Malaysia?

Addyi®, a Viagra-like drug, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015 for the treatment of premenopausal women with female sexual interest/arousal disorder. However, Addyi® is currently not yet available in the Malaysian market.

What is Addyi® and what are its effects?

Addyi® contains the active ingredient Flibanserin, which is a medication approved for the treatment of pre-menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

HSDD is defined as persistent or recurrent low sexual desire that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty and is not due to any other medical or psychiatric condition, problems within the relationship, or the effects of a medication or other drug substance.

Addyi® is thought to work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, which may lead to an increase in sexual desire. It should be taken at bedtime every day.

Who should take Addyi®?

Addyi® is used to treat low sexual desire in women who have never had low sexual desire before and have not gone through menopause.

It should only be used when low sexual desire is caused by something other than a medical condition, a mental disorder, relationship problems, or the use of drugs or other medications.

Reasons for Addyi® not available in Malaysia

Addyi® was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2015, as the first FDA-approved treatment for female sexual desire disorders.

However, Addyi's approval is now being questioned. Following a surge in the number of adverse events reported to the FDA in 2020, the FDA has stated that it is "evaluating the need for regulatory action." The FDA's adverse event database lists 175 reports from last year, compared to just 27 in 2019.

The drug has been flagged due to the risk of drug hypersensitivity.

Can women take Viagra?

Viagra works in men by improving their physical sexual function. To achieve an erection, male Viagra dilates the blood vessels and increases blood flow to the penis. Viagra does not work unless a man is aroused. While women are frequently caused by a lack of sex drive.

The female sexual disorder is a more complicated issue in women. It is frequently associated with a lack of sex drive. A woman's sexual arousal and desire can be influenced by a variety of factors.

Many women's sexual desires change throughout their lives. Relationships, stress and physical changes (e.g. pregnancy and menopause) can all have an impact. Viagra does not work for women because the female sexual disorder is not a physical problem and Viagra does not improve sexual arousal.

Thus, there is a lot of speculation about Viagra for women, as the drug hasn't been proven to work in women.

Is there a natural alternative to female viagra (Addyi®)?

Natural Viagra is a viable alternative for females. To relieve the symptoms of FSD, many women are turning to natural or herbal remedies. L-arginine, Ginseng, Ginko, Maca, Fenugreek and Dehydroepiandrosterone are some herbal and natural supplements thought to have sexual-enhancing properties for women.

For example, Libifem® is the brand name for standardised fenugreek extract. Fenugreek contains over 100 phytochemical constituents, including furostanol saponins and steroidal saponins. While fenugreek has many uses, Libifem® has been clinically shown to help reduce normal menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats, as well as promote a healthy sexual experience, sexual vitality, and desire. Libifem® + Maca supplement formulation is currently available in Malaysia under the brand The PrimAGE FemmeGuard.

Can you buy female Viagra in Malaysia?

Flibanserin (Addyi®) is not licenced in Malaysia because it has not been proven to be effective. As a result, at the moment, it is not possible to obtain female Viagra safely in Malaysia.

Is Melatonin a Sleeping Pill?

Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body. It helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. A synthetic form of melatonin is also available as a supplement. Some people use it as a natural remedy for insomnia and other sleep disorders.

So, does melatonin work as a sleeping pill? Let’s take a look at the science behind this popular supplement.

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain. It is involved in regulating the body's sleep-wake cycle. Levels of melatonin rise in the evening and fall in the morning.

Production of melatonin is stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light. It is thought to play a role in resetting the body's internal clock, which helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin levels are also affected by age, with older people generally having lower levels than younger people.

Melatonin and sleep: does it work like a sleeping pill?

You’ve likely heard of melatonin as a sleep aid. However, melatonin is not a sleeping pill and doesn't act similarly like sleeping pill.

Melatonin is a hormone that your body naturally produces. It’s sometimes called the “darkness hormone” because levels of it rise in the evening and fall in the morning. This rise and fall is linked to your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm.

Circadian rhythm helps regulate when for you to feel sleepy and when you feel awake. So, it makes sense that taking melatonin could help you sleep, right? Well, kind of. Melatonin supplements can help reset your internal clock if it’s out of whack (like if you’ve been jet-lagged or switched to a new work schedule).

So, is it good to take synthetic melatonin every night?

While most people consider short-term synthetic melatonin use to be safe, there is limited evidence that it is effective for promoting long-term sleep. It's important to remember that synthetic melatonin is also a hormone, and that using any hormone on a regular basis has the potential to suppress your own production of that hormone.

Furthermore, there are studies found that melatonin supplementation may impair the function of other hormones such as oestrogen and male growth hormone.

Better alternatives to synthetic melatonin

If you need help falling asleep and staying asleep at night, there are a few things you can do to help your body's natural ability to produce melatonin.

To begin, seek out sunlight during the day and keep your environment dark at night. Getting up and going to bed at the same time every day will also help to regulate your natural melatonin production.

There are a variety of other supplements that can help improve sleep that won't mess with your hormones. And, unlike the neurohormone melatonin, which only helps you fall asleep faster, these can actually improve your sleep quality and help you wake up feeling more rested and ready to go.

Magnesium - Magnesium is also used by the body naturally, but it is a mineral and more of a multitasker. This essential macromineral ("essential" in the sense that we must consume it on a daily basis) is involved in over 300 biological reactions. Magnesium has been found to help improve various sleep measures.
Maizinol™ corn leaf extract - Unlike synthetic melatonin, Maizinol™ is a natural sleep aid, stress, and mood health ingredient that contains proprietary standardized natural compounds known to bind to melatonin receptors and produce melatonin-like effects for better sleep quality. Maizinol™ is also clinically proven to reduce levels of a stress hormone, cortisol, and to improve mood health.

The takeaway

Melatonin is a hormone that controls your sleep cycle. It does not work like a sleeping. Taking it as a supplement can help you adjust your body clock, but experts agree it should not be done every night for long term.

To improve your overall sleep quality, you should instead support your body's natural production of melatonin by getting plenty of light during the day, seeking out darkness at night, and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule.