Fenugreek
Herb ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Seed extract used for blood sugar control, testosterone support, and milk production.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Fenugreek is a herb most often used for blood sugar control, testosterone support, lactation. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 500-600 mg daily (standardized to 50% saponins), commonly taken as testofen or standardized fenugreek extract. This profile indexes 19 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: blood sugar control, testosterone support, lactation. 19 sources indexed (2010–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
4-hydroxyisoleucine stimulates insulin secretion. Furostanolic saponins inhibit aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase, potentially increasing free testosterone. Galactomannans slow glucose absorption.10
Dosing & protocol.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized Fenugreek Extract.
Assumes 500-600 mg/day. Vendor basis: NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, Amazon marketplace, and branded Testofen-style extracts; standardized saponins cost more. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Standardized saponin extracts are more concentrated than culinary fenugreek.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
13- 1The effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed on glycemic parameters: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDChehregosha F, Fakhr L, Tarighat-Esfanjani A et al. · Avicenna journal of phytomedicine · 2025
Chehregosha F, Fakhr L, Tarighat-Esfanjani A et al.. The effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed on glycemic parameters: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine. 2025
- 2Effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PMIDShishehbor F, Ghavipour M et al. · Phytotherapy Research · 2024
Meta-analysis of RCTs showed fenugreek supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and 2-hour postprandial glucose in type 2 diabetes patients.
- 3Effects of fenugreek supplementation on male reproductive health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.PMIDRao A, Steels E et al. · Phytotherapy Research · 2024
Meta-analysis found fenugreek extract supplementation was associated with significant increases in serum testosterone levels and improvements in sexual function in men.
- 4The Anabolic Effect of Fenugreek: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysisPMIDSmith SJ et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2023
Seven studies (449 participants) showed small but significant effects on total testosterone, free testosterone, lean body mass, fat mass, and leg press performance in male athletes.
- 5The Effect of Fenugreek in Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsPMIDRanade M et al. · Nutrients · 2023
Fenugreek significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (-0.96 mmol/L), 2-hour postload glucose (-2.19 mmol/L), and HbA1c (-0.85%) vs controls.
- 6The Effects of Fenugreek Seed Consumption on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsPMIDAmini MR, Payandeh N, Sheikhhossein F et al. · High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention : the official journal of the Italian Society of Hypertension · 2023
Amini MR, Payandeh N, Sheikhhossein F et al.. The Effects of Fenugreek Seed Consumption on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention : the official journal of the Italian Society of Hypertension. 2023
- 7Fenugreek and Its Effects on Muscle Performance: A Systematic ReviewPMIDAlbaker WI · Journal of personalized medicine · 2023
Albaker WI. Fenugreek and Its Effects on Muscle Performance: A Systematic Review. Journal of personalized medicine. 2023
- 8Effect of saffron and fenugreek on lowering blood glucose: A systematic review with meta-analysisPMIDCorreia AGDS, Alencar MB, Dos Santos AN et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2023
Correia AGDS, Alencar MB, Dos Santos AN et al.. Effect of saffron and fenugreek on lowering blood glucose: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2023
- 9Effect of fenugreek extract supplement on testosterone levels in male: A meta-analysis of clinical trialsPMIDMansoori A et al. · Phytotherapy Research · 2020
Meta-analysis of clinical trials demonstrated fenugreek extract significantly increases total and free testosterone levels in males.
- 10Effects of fenugreek seed extract on testosterone: a meta-analysisPMIDMansoori A, Hosseini S, Zilaee M et al. · Phytother Res · 2020
Significant increase in total and free testosterone via furostanolic saponins
- 11Effect of fenugreek supplementation on blood lipids and body weight: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDAskarpour M, Alami F, Campbell MS et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology · 2020
Askarpour M, Alami F, Campbell MS et al.. Effect of fenugreek supplementation on blood lipids and body weight: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2020
- 12Effect of fenugreek consumption on serum lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDHeshmat-Ghahdarijani K, Mashayekhiasl N, Amerizadeh A et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2020
Heshmat-Ghahdarijani K, Mashayekhiasl N, Amerizadeh A et al.. Effect of fenugreek consumption on serum lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2020
- 13Fenugreek supplementation and glycemic control: a meta-analysisSource linkedPMIDNeelakantan N, Narayanan M, de Souza RJ, van Dam RM · Nutr J · 2014
Randomized controlled trials
4- 14Beneficial effects of fenugreek glycoside supplementation in male subjects during resistance training: A randomized controlled pilot studyPMIDWankhede S et al. · Journal of Sport and Health Science · 2018
Fenugreek glycoside fraction improved androgenic hormones and body composition during 8-week resistance training in a double-blind, placebo-controlled design.
- 15Testofen, a specialised Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract reduces age-related symptoms of androgen decrease, increases testosterone levels and improves sexual function in healthy aging males in a double-blind randomised clinical studyPMIDRao A et al. · Aging Male · 2016
600 mg/day Testofen for 12 weeks significantly increased total and free testosterone vs placebo in 120 healthy men aged 43-70.
- 16Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and mineral formulationSource linkedPMIDSteels E, Rao A, Vitetta L · Phytother Res · 2011
- 17Effects of a purported aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor on hormone profiles in college-age menSource linkedPMIDWilborn C, Taylor L, Poole C et al. · Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · 2010
Observational studies
1- 18Safety and Efficacy of Furosap, a Patented Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Extract, in Boosting Testosterone Level, Reproductive Health and Mood Alleviation in Male VolunteersSource linkedPMIDSankhwar SN, Kumar P, Bagchi M et al. · Journal of the American Nutritional Association · 2023
Reference material
1- 19FenugreekPMIDNational Library of Medicine · LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury · 2020
Adverse effects include GI discomfort, maple syrup-scented urine/sweat; caution with diabetes medications and blood thinners; cross-reactivity possible in legume-allergic individuals.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Fenugreek, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Fenugreek?
Seed extract used for blood sugar control, testosterone support, and milk production.
What is Fenugreek used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Fenugreek include: Blood sugar control; Testosterone support; Lactation; Appetite control. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Fenugreek?
A typical adult dose of Fenugreek is 500-600 mg daily (standardized to 50% saponins). The commonly recommended form is Testofen or standardized fenugreek extract. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Fenugreek?
Reported side effects include maple syrup-scented sweat/urine, gi upset, blood sugar lowering. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Fenugreek?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Fenugreek in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.