Some may grow it for consumption, while some grow it for forage. Hyacinth beans especially are used in making many delicacies around the world. These beans are also termed Indian beans, Hyacinth beans, and Calavance. These hyacinth bean plants also serve as ornamental plants. In some areas, along with the beans, the flowers are also consumed. They are added to some delicacies to enhance the flavor of the dish. Even the roots of this plant are edible. However, these are not so popular – but as per anecdotal evidence, they offer an array of health benefits. Read on to know more about this interesting herb, whether it can be considered safe for consumption, the benefits it offers, and its potential side effects. Continue reading.
Nutritional Value Of Hyacinth Beans
A 100 grams of raw hyacinth beans contain (1): Note: Remember that the Hyacinth herbs and flowers are inedible.
Benefits Of Hyacinth Flower Herb
Almost all the plants have some medicinal as well as nutritional value to offer, so does Hyacinth!
Skin Benefits Of Hyacinth:
1. Treats Eczema:
The leaf extracts of this plant can be mixed with rice flour and turmeric to treat skin problems like eczema.
2. Makes Skin Healthy:
Many skin care products contain hyacinth. The use of Hyacinth and its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties make it the perfect choice for treating many skin disorders.
Hair Benefits Of Hyacinth:
3. Imparts A Great Fragrance To The Hair:
Though Hyacinth is not known for its hair care benefits, it provides shampoos and conditioners with the amazing fragrance of a fresh flower.
Health Benefits Of Hyacinth:
4. Treats Cholera:
The stem of this plant can be used to treat cholera. Symptoms like nausea and vomiting can be reduced with the help of stir-fried hyacinth beans.
5. Heals Sore Throat:
The juice extracted from the pods of the hyacinth plant can be used to heal an inflamed throat as well as ears.
6. Treats Snake Bites:
A poultice, prepared with the extracts of the hyacinth bean leaves, can be used to treat snake bites.
7. Works To Treat STIs:
Sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, can be treated with the help of infusions prepared with the leaves of the hyacinth plant.
8. Works As An Anti-inflammatory Agent:
In the Philippines, the combination of lemon juice and hyacinth juice is to treat abscesses. It is applied topically to heal the inflammation..
9. For Healthier Digestion:
Stir fried hyacinth beans can really make digestion smooth! Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the beans to keep the spleen healthy. The herb is also known to treat diarrhea, nausea, distended stomach, intestinal, worms, and flatulence.
10. Controls Cholesterol:
The hypocholesterolemic properties of hyacinth beans control cholesterol levels in the body.
11. Great For Women:
Women can really make use of this plant to get a healthier body! In Kenya, some tribes use this herb to promote lactation. A new mother can consume boiled hyacinth beans to make the most of it. Its flowers, on the other hand, can help women who suffer from irregular periods.
12. Other Benefits:
Sunstroke, low immunity, fever, obesity—all these and more can be treated with the help of hyacinth beans. [ Read: Benefits Of Red Clover For Health ]
Recommended Dosage
Hyacinth beans can be made a part of your regular diet. Or you can use it as an herbal extract. Hyacinth bean dosage is determined by a number of variables, including the user’s age, general health, and a number of other situations. A suitable dosing range for hyacinth bean cannot yet be determined due to a lack of sufficient scientific data. Prior to use, make sure to read and follow all applicable instructions on product labels and speak with your pharmacist or doctor.
A Word of Caution
Hyacinth beans should never be ingested uncooked. Raw hyacinth beans are considered toxic and can cause stomach problems. So, it is advised to boil dry hyacinth bean seeds so that the poison inside it is removed and is safe for consumption. Also, ensure to change the water used for boiling. This will further help to drain out the toxic content of the beans. People suffering from cold or flu should avoid using this plant in any of its forms.
Drug interactions of hyacinth with other medication and herbs are not known. So, consult your doctor before you start using the plant or any of its parts. If nothing else, plant the beautiful hyacinth plant in your garden—it does look beautiful! And later, when the beans are ready to be plucked, you can reap its health benefits too! Hope you found this article helpful! Do share your feedback with us in the comments section. Are hyacinth herbs edible? Hyacinth bulbs and herbs are inedible and can lead to stomach upsets, high blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat. Can hyacinth herbs be eaten raw? No. While their bulbs are inedible and should be avoided, hyacinth beans should be cooked before consumption due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides.
