Fenugreek (also known as methi) is a legume in the Fabaceae family of plants which also includes tamarind, soya, peanuts, peas and chickpeas.

There are no recorded allergens for fenugreek by the World Health Organization (WHO), because there have not been enough study into allergic effects from this food. If you are interested in what is needed by the WHO before they add an allergen to their allergen database you can check that out HERE.

Studies have shown that fenugreek contains 2S seed storage proteins, 7S seed storage proteins (also known as vicilin) and 11S seeds storage proteins (also known as legumin). These groups of proteins are commonly found in nuts, seeds and legumes.

A PR-10 plant pollen protein ('PR' meaning 'pathogenesis related' - related to plant defence against plant pathogens) has also been identified in fenugreek. These proteins are Bet v 1 -like proteins and if allergic to this particular protein can get oral allergy type symptoms.

Fenugreek is a low FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.

Fenugreek is a food high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

Fenugreek seeds contain a moderate amount of lectins, another cause of food intolerance. Cooking foods with lectins makes them more digestible and can reduce the symptoms of food intolerance.

You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.

Fenugreek contain Bet v 1 like proteins, so could be linked to Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome. You may have Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome if you suffer from fenugreek allergy with oral allergy symptoms to 3 or more of the foods mentioned in the cross reactivity section.

Other food containing 2S albumin seed storage proteins are cashews, peanuts, brazil nuts, mustard seed, rapeseed, turnip, chickpeas, hazelnuts, pistachio, buckwheat, soya, sunflower seeds, walnuts, kiwi, castor beans and sesame seeds.

Other foods containing 7S and 11S proteins not mentioned in the list above are lupin, lentils, macadamia, peas and mung beans.

If sensitised to Birch pollen you may have Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome and may also react to apple, carrot, kiwi, pear, peach, plum, nectarine, apricots, cherries, tomato, celery, potato, parsnip, pepper, cumin, peas, dill, fennel, hazelnut, walnut, almonds, coriander, peanuts, lentils and beans.

These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivty Tool.

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