11 Indian Herbs That Rival Korean Skincare Trends

8. Fenugreek (Methi) — Anti-inflammatory and barrier-supporting

Fenugreek seeds are a pantry-friendly ingredient used in poultices and masks for their soothing saponins and mucilage. These components can help calm inflamed skin and support the skin barrier, which is a goal shared by many K-beauty humectant steps. A simple fenugreek mask—soak seeds overnight, grind to a paste, and mix with yogurt—can soothe irritated patches and provide short-term softening. For hair concerns, fenugreek shows up in conditioning preparations; for skin, treat it as an occasional soothing step rather than daily active therapy. There’s promising traditional and preliminary scientific support for anti-inflammatory benefits, but high-quality clinical studies on topical fenugreek are limited. Use fenugreek blends from reputable suppliers for consistency, and avoid putting concentrated raw seed pastes on very compromised skin without professional guidance.