Common bean

Phaseolus vulgaris – Common bean
Fabaceae (Papilionaceae) – Legume family

The part used in medicine is the dried bean pericarp from white-flowered plants Pericarpium Phaseoli sine semine.

Common bean – appearance and origin:

An annual plant, grown in many countries around the world, including many strains in Poland. Originates from South and Central America. It is sensitive to drying out and requires sunny spots. The stem grows up to 30-50 cm (dwarf varieties) or up to 4 m (pole varieties). The leaves are large, made up of 3 heart-shaped leaflets; the flowers are white, yellowish or purple. It bloom from June to September. The fruit is a pod, 6-30 cm in length.

Common bean – effects and use:

The raw material contains aminoacids, choline, trigonelline, allantoin, pipecolic and traumatic acid, flavonoids and mineral salts.
The pericarp is used in herbal combinations with diuretic activity and products for supporting the treatment of diabetes and metabolic diseases, such as obesity or psoriasis.
One cup of a bean pericarp infusion is equivalent to 3 units of insulin; however, the compound responsible for this effect is not yet known.
Dried and ground bean seeds are used in treating eczema, wounds, burns and frostbite. The ground beans should be applied onto the afflicted spot on the skin.