Fenugreek Side Effects: 6 to Know and Who Should Skip It

Fenugreek is a kitchen spice that ended up in a lot of supplement bottles. It's in testosterone formulas, blood sugar products and lactation teas. In the small amounts used in cooking it's considered safe. In supplement-size doses it comes with a short list of side effects, and one of them you can smell.

The 6 Fenugreek Side Effects to Know

1. Stomach trouble

Diarrhea, nausea, gas and bloating are the side effects people report most. Fenugreek seed is high in fiber, and a supplement dose is a lot more of it than you'd get from a curry. Taking it with food helps.

2. The maple syrup smell

Fenugreek seeds smell and taste like maple syrup, which is why they're used to flavor foods. Take enough and that smell comes out in your sweat and urine. It's harmless, and it goes away when you stop. But it's noticeable, and on a hot day in a truck cab your crew will notice it too.

3. Low blood sugar

Fenugreek can lower blood sugar. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, large doses may cause a harmful drop. That matters most if you have diabetes or take medication for it, since the two effects add up. Shakiness, sweating, a fast heartbeat and dizziness are the signs to watch for.

4. Allergic reactions

Fenugreek is a legume, in the same plant family as peanuts and chickpeas. People who are allergic to those can react to fenugreek, and some reactions have been serious. If you have a peanut or chickpea allergy, don't try it without talking to your doctor.

5. More bleeding risk with blood thinners

Fenugreek can interact with warfarin and raise the risk of bleeding. If you take a blood thinner, clear it with your doctor before you start.

6. Liver problems, rarely

There are reported cases of liver toxicity in people taking fenugreek, alone or in herbal blends. They're uncommon. Stop taking it and call your doctor if you notice dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes, or pain in your upper right side.

Who Should Skip Fenugreek or Ask First

• Pregnant women. Fenugreek is not considered safe during pregnancy in amounts larger than those found in food.
• Anyone with a peanut or chickpea allergy.
• Anyone with diabetes or on blood sugar medication.
• Anyone taking warfarin or another blood thinner.
• Nursing mothers. Fenugreek is widely sold for milk supply, but the research is mixed. Ask your doctor first.
• Anyone with a liver condition.

Fenugreek and Testosterone

A lot of men meet fenugreek on the label of a testosterone formula. Research on it for that purpose is mixed, and many of the positive studies used specific branded extracts that may not match what's in a given bottle. We go through that research in best herbs for testosterone support.

Doses vary a lot from one formula to the next. Our Mars Men review shows one label that includes 500mg per serving. Whatever the brand, if fenugreek doesn't agree with you, the simple fix is a formula without it.

A Fenugreek-Free Option: Hammer

Hammer is our testosterone support formula, and there's no fenugreek anywhere on the label. Here's what it's built on instead:

In Hammer	Per 2 tablets
Longjack (Tongkat Ali) root	400mg
Maca root	250mg
L-Arginine HCl	250mg
Fenugreek	None

• Supports your body's own natural testosterone production, taken before bed when much of that work happens
• Two tablets a night, about an hour before bed
• $42, or $35.70 on subscription, with no subscription required
• Hormone-free and drug-test safe, third-party tested, made in the USA with global ingredients
• Backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee

For daytime stamina, Overdrive Men's is also fenugreek-free. Curious about Tongkat Ali? See tongkat ali side effects.

If You Do Take Fenugreek

1. Take it with a meal to cut down on stomach upset.
2. Follow the label. More isn't better, and the side effects scale with the dose.
3. Expect the smell. If it bothers you, the only real fix is a lower dose or stopping.
4. Tell your doctor, especially if you take medication for blood sugar or blood clotting.
5. Stop if something feels off. A rash, trouble breathing, dizziness or dark urine are reasons to call your doctor.

Fenugreek Side Effects: Your Questions

What are the side effects of fenugreek?
The most common are diarrhea, nausea, gas and bloating, plus a maple syrup smell in sweat and urine. Large doses may lower blood sugar too far, and fenugreek can cause allergic reactions in some people. Rare cases of liver problems have been reported.

Why does fenugreek make you smell like maple syrup?
Fenugreek seeds naturally smell and taste like maple syrup. When you take a supplement-size dose, that scent comes out in your sweat and urine. It's harmless and stops when you stop taking it.

Who should not take fenugreek?
Pregnant women should not take it in amounts larger than those found in food. People with a peanut or chickpea allergy, diabetes, a liver condition, or a prescription for warfarin or another blood thinner should talk to a doctor first.

Is fenugreek safe to take every day?
Fenugreek is considered safe in the amounts commonly found in food. Larger supplement doses may not be safe for everyone and can cause digestive upset, low blood sugar and allergic reactions. Follow the label and check with your doctor if you take medication.

Does fenugreek lower blood sugar?
It can. Some research suggests fenugreek may lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, and large doses may cause a harmful drop. If you have diabetes or take blood sugar medication, talk to your doctor before using it.

Is fenugreek bad for your liver?
Cases of liver toxicity have been reported in people taking fenugreek, on its own and in herbal blends. They're rare. Stop and call your doctor if you notice dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or pain in your upper right abdomen.

Can you take fenugreek if you're allergic to peanuts?
Talk to your doctor first. Fenugreek is a legume related to peanuts and chickpeas, and people allergic to those can react to it.

Does fenugreek interact with medications?
Yes. It can add to the effect of diabetes medication and lower blood sugar too far, and it can interact with warfarin and raise the risk of bleeding. Tell your doctor and pharmacist before taking it.

Is there a testosterone supplement without fenugreek?
Yes. Hammer from Blue Collar Nutrition contains no fenugreek. It's built on 400mg of Longjack (Tongkat Ali) and 250mg of maca, taken as two tablets before bed. It's $42, or $35.70 on subscription, with no subscription required.

Will Blue Collar Nutrition supplements cause a failed drug test?
Absolutely not. All products are natural, hormone-free, and do not contain any amphetamines or substances that would trigger a failed drug test.

Related Guides

• Tongkat Ali Side Effects
• Best Herbs for Testosterone Support
• How to Increase Testosterone Naturally
• Glucosamine Side Effects

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This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Safety information is drawn from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and other published medical references. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before beginning any supplement regimen, particularly if you have an existing medical condition or take prescription medication.