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B.gioia (herbalist) (New Haven, Ct) on 06/16/2010: 
increasing appetite - mainly by means of its bitter constituents and very small amounts of alkaloids that are known to act in a similar manner as those in cod liver oil. - That is in increasing appetite, - as said in a post before, esp. in individuals that are underweight and/or generally "suffer" from a lack of appetite.
As a supporting mechanism to this, the steroidal compounds in fenugreek, which act as potent phytoestrogens have a tendency to stimulate the secretion of FSH more than LH, which is deemed to accounts to a large part for fenugreeks galactogogue (lactation stimulating) effects, as it leads to a sudden significant rise in estrogen levels over progesterone levels, which is similar to the situation in women who have just given birth...
This hormonal situation can also account for a certain tendency of the body to "fill out" ...its lipid stores to better provide for the needs of lactation.
...That is also the reason for the definite "breast enhancing" effects noticed by most every woman who takes the herb for a prolonged time (more than 6 weeks).
On the other hand, - there is also a definite truh to fenugreeks ability to help reduce - sometimes drastically - hunger and food intake esp. in priorly overweight or even diabetic individuals.
This mechanism is based on the high (soluble as well as insoluble) fiber content of the seeds, the latter of which helps to create a feeling of fullness and satiety, without being itself digestible, but exerting a gentle yet effective laxative action; while first, the mucilage, acts as a prebiotic, and as such helps to restore a healthy gut flora, which will make digestion more effective and therewith reduce the body's feeling of the need of hightened energy intake.
This usually shows on the scale after a little while.
What I don't really understand, however, is the fact that the other poster claimed she had experienced these weight reducing effects with TEA. -
Tea, in my experience would normally rather account for the above described appetite-stimulating effects, while the described weight reducing mechanism would be achieved with about 1-2 tbsp. of ground crude fenugreek seeds before each meal...
So much from my experience...
(I am a Herbalist and my Masters thesis was on this herb..)
Paritp (Los Angeles, Ca) on 06/10/2009:
Rawan (Abu Dhabi, UAE) on 06/10/2009:
Roro (Al Ain, UAE) on 08/21/2008:
Beryl (London, England) on 03/07/2008:
I'm not questioning what the contributor said, because I think that we all react differently to what we intake. That was her experience and it rests there.
I recently went on holiday to China and Japan, and when I arrived back was struck with an overwhelming tiredness, and every bone in my body ached. Was it jet lag, I wondered, but the symptoms still continued, so I starting taking Apple Cider Vinegar, Maple Syrup, lemon juice, bi carb, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Within a couple of days I'd started to feel well again, and so have continued with this mixture, and I am amazed at the way it has increased my energy and well being.
However, I'm sorry to report there's been no weight loss!! Thanks for your web site. I do enjoy it!
