Source White Hyacinth Bean is the dried ripe seed ofDolichos lablan L. (Fam. Leguminousae).
Producing Areas Hunan, Anhui, Henan, Jiangsu, Sichuan, etc.
Properties Sweet, Slightly Warm
Channels Spleen, Stomach
Action
- Clears dampness and summer heatFor symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhoea often associated with summer heat and dampness causing stagnation and disharmony.
- Strengthens spleen and dissolves damp without dryingFor chronic diarrhoea, loose stools, lethargy, fatigue, disinterest in food, or excess vaginal discharge.
- Removes toxinsFor treatment in alcohol or food poisoning.
Usage and Dosage
- 10 – 20g is used in decoction for oral use or in pills or powder.
- •Crude Baibiandou: For expelling dampness, dispersing summer heat, eliminating thirst, clearing away heat and toxin.
- •Stir-baked Baibiandou: For diarrhoea due to deficiency of spleen, excessive leukorrhoea.
Notes It contains toxic proteins, for example blood cell condensation element AB, but the toxic proteins can be destroyed by high temperatures. The ground powder from the crude should be used cautiously.
It is in flat oval shape, 0.8 – 1.3cm long, 6 – 9mm wide, about 7mm thick. The surface is light yellowish white or pale yellow, smooth and slightly glossy. There may be brown spots on the surface. It is hard. The seed skin is thin and crisp. The two cotyledons are yellowish white. It is light in nature. The flavour is bland with bean smell while chewing.
Storage
Keep in a dry place. Protect it from moths and mice.
Description of Quality Herb
Greatly full grain and white colour signify high quality.
Pork and Hyacinth Seed Soup with Wolfberry
Effects
Moistens and nourishes the liver and kidneys, strengthens the body, helps in weight gain and increases milk production in nursing mothers.
Ingredients
Lean pork 150g, hyacinth seeds 50g, wolfberry 30g.
Preparation
1.Rinse the pork and slice finely. Place in a pot with the hyacinth seeds and wolfberry.
2.Add an adequate amount of water and stew until the meat becomes tender. Add salt, ginger and chopped spring onion to taste, and serve.
Hyacinth Seed Congee
Effects
This congee is a preferred food for revitalising the spleen and stomach. It alleviates loss of appetite and vomiting, slow digestion and thirst experienced during the summer months.
Ingredients
Fried hyacinth seeds 60g (or fresh hyacinth seeds 120g), japonica rice 100g, brown sugar to taste.
Preparation
1.Soak the hyacinth seeds in warm water overnight.
2.Place the japonica rice, soaked hyacinth seeds and brown sugar in a pot with 500ml of water and cook over a low fire until the congee is fragrant. Turn off the fire, let it steep for 5 – 7 minutes and serve.