Methi seeds soaked overnight and taken first thing in the morning is one of the oldest Indian remedies for menstrual irregularities — and modern research validates exactly why it works. Methi seeds contain diosgenin, a steroidal saponin that directly influences female sex hormones. A 2020 clinical trial in the International Journal of Medical Sciences found that women with PCOS who consumed methi seed extract for 90 days had significantly smaller ovarian volume, fewer follicular cysts, and more regular periods.
Soaking overnight is the key step. It activates the seeds, makes the nutrients more accessible, and dramatically reduces bitterness. The soaking water itself absorbs soluble fibre and diosgenin from the seeds. This is the simplest recipe in this collection — two minutes of preparation the night before, zero cooking. But done consistently, the results are real.
Ingredients
How to Make It
The night before (takes 2 minutes): Measure 1 tsp of whole methi seeds and rinse them briefly under water.
Place the rinsed seeds in a glass. Pour 200-250ml of room-temperature water over them.
Leave loosely covered at room temperature overnight—for a minimum of 6-8 hours; 10-12 hours is ideal.
The seeds will swell and the water will turn yellowish-gold by morning. The soluble fiber is doing its job when the seeds get soft and start to resemble gel on the outside.
After straining the soaking water into a new glass, squeezing the juice of a fresh lemon into the water makes it taste better and gives a small Vitamin C boost. sip it first thing in the morning, before you eat, drink chai, or do anything else.
Next, consume the soaked seeds as well. If the taste is too strong, rinse them down with a little water or chew them well. Trust me—you get used to it.
Wait at least 20–30 minutes before having breakfast.
Nutrition per serving
* Approximate values per serving
Health Benefits
Methi seeds water addresses PCOS at its root: insulin resistance and androgen excess. The soluble fibre reduces post-meal blood sugar spikes, which directly lowers insulin levels. Lower insulin means less androgen stimulation from the ovaries — because insulin is what triggers ovarian cells to overproduce testosterone. Diosgenin also modulates the LH:FSH ratio, a key hormonal imbalance in PCOS, by reducing the LH surge. Over time, this translates to smaller cysts, more regular ovulation, and less hirsutism and acne. The anti-inflammatory compounds in methi also reduce CRP (C-reactive protein), which is chronically elevated in PCOS.
Pro Tips
- →Consistency is everything — this remedy works cumulatively over weeks and months. Most women notice improvements in period regularity after 6-8 weeks of daily use. Don't give up after 10 days.
- →Start with ½ tsp of seeds if you have a sensitive stomach — methi can cause loose stools initially as your gut adjusts to the fibre. Build up to 1 tsp over 2 weeks.
- →Don't heat the soaking water before drinking — keep it at room temperature. Heat degrades the diosgenin and reduces its effectiveness.
- →If the taste is genuinely unbearable, add a small piece of ginger to the soaking water the night before — it significantly reduces the bitterness.
Variations
- 1Add ½ tsp sabja seeds (basil seeds) along with the methi for additional mucilaginous fibre that further supports gut health and gives the water a pleasant texture.
- 2Methi-Jeera combo: Soak ½ tsp methi + ½ tsp jeera (cumin) together overnight — jeera adds metabolism-boosting properties and noticeably improves the taste.
- 3For a more concentrated effect during fertility treatment: Soak 1.5 tsp seeds in 300ml water and take in two doses — morning and before dinner.
