Fenugreek (botanical name Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a plant in the family Fabaceae, and is known in Arabic as hulba, and in Urdu as methi. It is used both as a herb (the leaves) and as a spice (the seeds). Fenugreek is rich in vitamins A and C, and iron and phosphorus. Fenugreek seeds are a rich source of the polysaccharide (a complex carbohydrate) galactomannan. They are also a source of saponins (naturally-occuring chemical compounds).