Cicer, Chickpea

Garbanzo
Cicer
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563
Red Cicer                                     White Cicer   
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Flora von Deutschland (24), Kohler, 1886
Botanical name:
Cicer arietinum
White, Red, Grey and Black Garden varieties were used; Wild and Garden varieties were also differentiated, the Wild being far stronger.

Parts used:
Seed (grain)

Temperature & Taste:
mildly Warm, dry
emollient, cleansing, discussing, diuretic and lenifying

Classifications:
2C INCIDERS.   2F. PURIFYING.   2K. RESOLVENT.  
3E. DIURETIC.   3H. LACTAGOGUE.   3I. APHRODISIAC.   3J. INCREASE SEMEN
4g. HEPATIC.   4h. NEPHRITIC

Uses:
1. Strengthens the Kidneys, Benefits Qi:
-increases Sperm; used in Aphrodisiac formulas
-Infertility

2. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Dysuria, strangury, Edema, fluid retention, obesity

3. Moves the Blood:
-promotes Menstruation

4. Stops Cough:
-Cough, Bronchitis

5. Promotes Milk:
-Nourishes and Increases Milk

6. Externally:
-the Meal is used externally in Cataplasms
-the meal is mixed with Vinegar and applied to inflammations and tumors (Salmon)

Main Combinations:
1. For the Heart, make Hummus (Chickpea paste) with lots of Garlic and olive oil.
2. Decoction of Chickpeas: decoct with Barley and Marshmallow roots. Good for pains in the sides, colic, dysuria, strangury and gravel.

Major Formulas:
Syrup of Marshmallow (Fernel)
Powder to Fatten (Mesue)
Powder to Increase Milk Supply
Powder for Kidney Stones from Heat (Unani)


Cautions:
1. Windy and hard to digest if not properly cooked.

Main Preparations used: