HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BEAN POD/65Wagner H, Norr H, Winterhoff H, Drogen mit
"Adaptogenwirkung" zur Starkung der Widerstandskrafte. In:
ZPT 13(2):42. 1992.
Further information in:
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New
York 1980.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Simon JE, Chadwick AF. Craker LE (Eds.), Herbs. An Indexed
Bibliography 1971-80. Archon Books, USA 1984.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4.' Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.Bean Pod
Phaseolus vulgaris
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the ripe, dried pods
and the beans.
Flower and Fruit: The white, pink and lilac flowers are in
lightly blossomed, peduncled racemes, which are shorter
than their leaves. The calyx is bilabiate. The carina, stamens
and style are twisted in a spiral. The fruit is a straight,
smooth, hanging pod with a number of reniform seeds.Leaves, Stem and Root: The annual plant grows from 30 to
60 cm high. It is heavily branched but not twining. The
leaves are trifoliate, die leaflets are broad ovate and
acuminate. The terminal leaflet is rhomboid.Habitat: The plant is indigenous to America and is cultivated
worldwide today.Production: The seed-free pods of Phaseolus vulgaris are
collected during the harvest season.
Other Names: Common Bean, Green Bean, Kidney Bean,
Navy Bean, Pinto Bean, Snap Bean, String Bean, Wax Bean
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Lectins: complex termed phytomitogen (tetrameric
glycoproteins)SaponinsL-pipecolic acid
Flavonoids
EFFECTS
A weak diuretic action has been demonstrated in animal and
human experiments. Chromium salts present in the Bean Pod
may produce an antidiabetic effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:- Infections of the urinary tract
- Kidney and bladder stones
Unproven Uses: Bean Pod is used as a supportive treatment
for inability to urinate. In folk medicine, it is used as a
diuretic and antidiabetic.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages, in the form of heated infusions.
OVERDOSAGE
Poisonings following the intake of large quantities of fresh
green bean husks (or of raw green beans) are not to be
entirely ruled out, due to the lectins content, which varies
greatly among the individual species. Symptoms include
vomiting, diarrhea and gastroenteritis. The lectins are
destroyed in the process of cooking.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: As a comminuted herb for decoc-
tions and other galenic preparations for internal use. The
drug is a component of various kidney and bladder teas and
of standardized preparations of natural diuretics and
antidiabetics.Preparation: To make an infusion, pour boiling water over
2.5 gm drug and strain after 10 to 15 minutes while still
covered (1 teaspoonful = 1.5 gm drug).
Daily Dosage: The recommended daily dosage is 5 to 15 gm
of herb.
LITERATURE
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Eds.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Pusztai A et al., Recent advances in the study of the nutrtional
toxicity of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lectins in rat. In:
Toxicon 20(1): R195. 1982.
Rom L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.