The world turned its attention to fenugreek (T foenum graecum) for its source of diosgenin.
Fenugreek or foenugreek seeds are emollient and accelerate the healing of suppurations and inflammations.
Externally cooked with water into a porridge and used as hot compresses on boils and abscesses in a similar manner to the use of linseed.
Decoctions of whole plant are used as a bath for uterus infections. The seeds are tonic, restorative, aphrodisiac, and galactagogue. Their emollient properties are useful for the itch. A cataplasm obtained by boiling the flour of the seeds with vinegar and saltpeter is used for swelling of the spleen.
Extracts of the seeds are incorporated into several cosmetics claimed to have effect on premature hair loss, and as a skin cleanser, and it is also reported in Java in hair tonics and to cure baldness. Many of the herbal materials found to have
an effect on hair growth have a hormonal or hormonalmimetic basis.

Likewise, there are a number of references to fenugreek having galactagogue (increase milk in nursing mothers) activity, which again is indicative of an estrogen-like
activity. The plant should be used with caution as fenugreek is reputed to be oxytocic and in vitro uterine stimulant activity has been documented, so the use of fenugreek during pregnancy and lactation in doses greatly exceeding those normally encountered in foods is not advisable.

Source: The internal and external use of medicinal plants - Anthony C. Dweck, FLS, FRSC, FRSH

‍

‍