Article: A REVIEW ON METHIKA (TRIGONELLA FOENUM GRAECUM LINN): A WIDELY USED DRUG IN POSTNATAL CARE IN KERALA, INDIA

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.110361

Pages: 61-63

Author: Beena Rose P.K *, Anita K Patel, Asha K.V

Abstract: Postnatal care is well explained in Ayurveda under the name Sutika paricharya. In Kerala, there are many special preparations and single drugs are being used for postnatal care in addition to these classical Ayurvedic references. The knowledge of such postnatal care is immense and transferred through generations. It varies according to caste, religion and geographical locations. One of such single drugs is Methika (Trigonella foenum-graecum L). Fenugreek seed commonly used in many food preparations as a condiment. This paper is mainly concentrated to compile the traditional as well as classical references about this plant in Post-natal care. Ayurvedic Samhitas, Nighantus, Textbooks on Ethnomedicine and Internet publications were used to compile the relevant information. After a thorough review eleven different formulations containing Methika as a major ingredient were listed out and it was found that the use of Methika in postnatal period brings vata anulomana, garbhashaya shodhaka, as well as a galactagogue.

Keyword: Sutika paricharya, postnatal care, Methika, Fenugreek, Traditional medicine.