The debate over the past few years on fenugreek seeds not being safe for children and nursing women have been disapproved. There is proven scientific evidence that fenugreek seeds are very beneficial for infants, growing children, as well as nursing mothers. Known as methi seeds in many parts of India, fenugreek first originated in the middle-east and became popularly known in the Indian sub-continent. The fenugreek plant is versatile and all the parts of it are used for various purposes.
Health Benefits of Fenugreek for Children and Nursing Woman
Fenugreek is a reservoir of nutritional properties that contain many health benefits for growing children as well as nursing women. Listed below are some health benefits of fenugreek.
Health Benefits of Fenugreek for Children
1} Aids Digestion
Many children suffer from digestive disorders. Hence, it is essential to feed them a balanced diet that helps improve digestion. Fenugreek is rich in anti-oxidants and dietary fibre that improves digestion and helps eliminate toxins from the body. Fenugreek leaves tea is given to children to relieve stomach pain, indigestion, and constipation.
2} Reduces heart burn and acid reflux
Acid reflux and heart burn in children can be very annoying as they do not know how to deal with it. You may be surprised to know that just by feeding your children 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds can help easen out acid reflux to a huge extent. Fenugreek seeds contain mucilage that form a lining on the stomach and relieve the gastrointestinal system.
3} Treats sore throat and fever
Due to the developing immune system, children often become a victim of sore throat and fever. The mucilage properties of fenugreek seeds help relive sore throat and cough in children. Additionally, fenugreek seeds taken along with lemon juice and honey strengthens the immune system and helps bring down the fever.
4} Reduce inflammation and scars
Children often suffer from skin infections like boils, eczema, burns, and scars. Fenugreek seeds are rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help fight skin inflammation and reduce the appearance of scars. Fenugreek seeds are crushed into a paste and applied on the affected area.
5} Maintains cardiovascular health
Fenugreek plays a major role in maintaining good heart health in your children. It is rich in potassium that inhibits the action of sodium to maintain blood pressure and heart rate. Regular consumption of fenugreek maintains good heart health in children.
6} Healthy hair
Don’t you want your children to have healthy and strong hair? Commercial shampoos can further damage your child’s hair as they contain chemicals. Soaked Fenugreek seeds along with coconut oil when applied to the hair helps reduce hair fall and make the hair strong. Fenugreek is also an excellent remedy for children suffering from dandruff.
Health Benefits of Fenugreek for Nursing Women
If you are a nursing mother, you must know that consuming fenugreek is very essential for you. Listed below are some of the main benefits of fenugreek for nursing women.
7} Increases milk production
Fenugreek is an age old remedy known to increase lactation in breastfeeding mothers. Fenugreek is rich in a compound called diosgenin that increases milk production in nursing mothers. Hence breastfeeding women are recommended to consume fenugreek daily in any preferred form.
8} Strengthens the immune system
It is essential that the mother stays healthy soon after delivery. Your baby needs you and you need to make sure that all your little one’s needs are met. Any illness contracted during this period can be harmful for both you and the baby. Fenugreek contains several medicinal properties that help prevent the occurrence of diseases. It is rich in anti-oxidants that prevents the cells from oxidative damage by free radicals. Hence, nursing mother are recommended to consume fenugreek daily.
9} Eliminates anemia
Anemia occurring post-delivery is common in all mothers. This occurs due to a chronic iron deficiency that is characterized by weakness, irritability, and fatigue. If ignored, nursing mothers can fall terribly sick which in turn harm both the mother as well as growing baby. Fenugreek is rich in the mineral iron that helps to recover from this iron deficiency. Fenugreek is also rich in other minerals like manganese, Vitamin B6, and magnesium that help combat other nutritional deficiencies.
10} Reduces PMS
Your body slowly returns to normal after delivery. Along with these the hormonal changes are also likely going to balance out like the return of menstrual cycle. Fenugreek helps the nursing mother’s body return to normal by reducing the side effects of hormonal imbalances. Fenugreek contains anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in a compound called choline that helps in regulating the nervous system. It also contains disogenin and isoflavones that help reduce PMS symptoms in nursing mothers.
11} Improves bowel movements
Most new mothers face irregular bowel moments and suffer from constipation soon after they have a baby. The excellent property of fenugreek is that it is rich in dietary fibre. Regular consumption of fenugreek aids in digestion, improves bowel movements, and eases constipation in nursing mothers.
12} Helps increase breast size
It is normal for the breast size to increase while nursing babies. Breast size generally increases due to the milk ducts and lactation by the mammary glands leading to storage of milk in the breast. Fenugreek has estrogen-like properties that help in naturally increasing the breast size by balancing the hormonal changes in women.
13} Improves sleep
It is natural for a new mother to lose sleep while attending to her baby. Due to the baby’s irregular sleeping patterns, new mothers hardly get sleep, which in turn affects their health. Insomnia is a regular condition in post-partum stress and makes new mothers exhausted. Fenugreek is known to be a natural aid to induce sleep. Hence, it is a good idea for nursing mothers to consume fenugreek regularly to catch up on some lost sleep.
14} Improves digestion
Most nursing mothers suffer from digestive issues due to the body’s reduced ability to eliminate toxins from the body. Hence, mothers feel bloated and this can pass on digestive issues to the feeding baby as well. Fenugreek is rich in Vitamin E and dietary fibre that adds bulk to the food and improves digestion. It is important for mothers to know that poor digestive health can be passed on to the baby as well during nursing.
15} Reduces fatigue
It is natural that every mother sacrifices her beauty as well as energy to take care of her new born. Often nursing mothers look like an old hag owing to the immense exhaustion they face during early motherhood. Fenugreek are rich in anti-oxidants that revitalise the body and restores the same vibrant and energetic look that mothers have before delivery.
16} Balances cholesterol levels
While there are lot of changes in the mother, during pregnancy and post-delivery, most mothers are unaware of the fact that along with the hormonal changes, there is an increase in the cholesterol levels too. Increase in cholesterol levels can be detrimental for the nursing mother as well the development of baby’s brain. Fenugreek is rich in high soluble fibre that adds viscosity to the food consumed. This action blocks the uptake of bad cholesterol in the arteries thereby maintaining cholesterol levels in the body.
Fenugreek is also used to treat gastrointestinal ailments, inflammation, and wounds. Due to its anti-oxidant properties, it helps eliminate free radicals. It also improves overall metabolism and health in both children as well as nursing mothers. If you haven’t included fenugreek in your regular diet, then it’s high time you start. Fenugreek is beneficial for the whole family.
References
http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/15-health-benefits-of-methi/
