Phaseolus, Kidney bean

French Bean

New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Flora von Deutschland (24), Kohler, 1886

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Botanical name:
Phaseolus vulgaris

Parts used:
Seed (bean); Bean pods

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, moist. Sweet

Classifications:
Suppurative, Astringent
Nephritic, Spermatogenic, Alterative

Uses:
1. Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Culpeper said it is 'As great a strengthener of the Kidneys as any';
-'Strengthen the Kidneys, prevent the Stone ... provoke Urine, increase the Seed, and stir up Lust' (A Compendius Herbal, Archer, 1673).
-'engender Sperm and incite to Venery'.
-loss of albumin in the urine during pregnancy.
-significant hypoglycemic effect; the pods have also been used for Diabetes.
-Spermatorrhea.

2. Promotes Urine, Clears Stones:
-promote urine, cleanse the Kidneys of gravel, and to prevent Stones;
-stoppage of urine from debility.
-pods are recommended for various Kidney diseases including Edema, Nephritis, Stones, Gout, and Rheumatism;
-Salmon said an excellent salt could be made of the 'straw' to promote Urine in Edema.
-ashes of the pods or straw infused in wine and taken powerfully promotes Urine, opens urinary obstructions and clears Gravel and Stones.

2. Clears Heat, Nourishes the Yin and Blood:
-Liver heat headache and Hypertension, blood in the Urine (TCM).
-Gerard said they breed good Blood; Salmon said it promotes good complexion
    
3. Benefits the Lungs, Stops Cough:
-chronic Coughs
-'enlarge the breast that is straightened with shortness of breath' (Culpeper).
-Coughing Blood in TCM.

4. Mild Laxative:
-'Move the Belly'. (A Compendius Herbal, Archer, 1673)

5. Externally:
-topically for acne, burns, itches;
-tumors and warts.
-Bean meal can be applied to wet eczemas, itching, and eruptions.
-Meal with Oxymel for bruises, tumors, and wounds;
-in a Cataplasm, it ripens Tumors, is Anodyne, and helps resolves Scrofula.
-as a scrub and mask to purify the skin in acne etc.

Dose:
A pint of the Decoction taken twice daily was used for Edema and Stones; Decocted until the beans disintegrate, they are eaten for consumption. Salmon said 4 oz. of the ashes can be added per liter of Wine, this taken in small cupfuls to promote Urine and clear Stones.

Correctives:
Cumin

Substitutes:
Common Beans (Faba) can be used in their place

Main Combinations:
1. Promote Urine:
i when obstructed by Cold, Kidney bean with Cinnamon
ii. when obstructed by Damp-Heat, Kidney bean with Barley
iii. Kidney bean with Corn Silk
2. To strengthen the Kidneys, decoct Kidney bean with Asparagus root and Parsley root or seed
3. Diabetes:
i. Bean pods, Linseed, Bilberry leaf
ii. Bean pod, Senna, Yarrow, Sandalwood, Fennel seed, Calendula, Dandelion root, Restharrow

Cautions:
They are very windy, so should be prepared (washed) and corrected.

Main Preparations used:
Salt of the Ashes