Bean pods: beneficial and medicinal properties and contraindications, bean pods in folk medicine, recipes

Bean pods contain many micronutrients that have various healing effects on the body. They are used in folk medicine to create medicines that effectively help with diabetes, arthritis, skin and cardiovascular pathologies. However, there are a number of contraindications to the use of the product, so it is recommended to discuss their use with your doctor.

Beneficial features

Compared to pharmaceutical drugs, the components of the chemical composition of bean leaves have a milder therapeutic effect of the following nature:

reduce blood glucose;
relieve inflammation caused by pathogenic viruses and microbes;
normalize water-salt balance, acting as diuretic agents;
saturate the body with useful substances;
promote the removal of waste and toxins;
reduce blood pressure;
slow down the aging process;
by increasing the production of serotonin, they improve the psycho-emotional state and reduce nervous excitement;
stimulate the immune system, increasing the body's resistance to infections;
prevent the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels, reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies;
improve the functioning of the heart muscle;
normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, maintaining skin health;
regulate the speed of metabolic processes;
accelerate the regeneration of skin cells;
have an antirheumatic effect;
promote the dissolution of stones in the kidneys and bladder;
enhance the secretion of gastric juice and improve digestion;
increase the elasticity of blood vessels.

Important!
In the pharmaceutical industry, plant extracts are mainly used. On its basis, capsules (Diaphrin) and syrup (Diabetnorm) are produced for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus. The use of bean shells in sports is due to their ability to increase muscle mass without gaining weight. Regular consumption of healing tea helps remove excess fluid. Additional intake of vitamin-mineral complexes will reduce the risk of developing a deficiency of these substances in the body, resulting from the diuretic effect.

Chemical composition

The benefits and harms of the herbal product are due to the presence of the following components in its composition:

cellulose;
vitamins (A, C, PP and group B);
minerals (phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, iron);
amino acids (arginine, lysine, tyrosine);
flavonoids;
organic acids;
allantoin;
carotene;
glucokinin;
vegetable protein, similar in structure to animal protein;
phytosterols;
alkaloids (trigonelline);
hemicellulose.

Poisonous substances are contained in unripe beans, so for medicinal purposes the husks must be collected after the product has fully ripened.

In its action, glucokinin is similar to insulin, so products based on raw materials are recommended to be taken in combination with antidiabetic drugs. In this case, it is necessary to control the level of glucose in the blood so as not to provoke the development of hypoglycemic coma.

Ancient history

Historians still cannot establish the exact date of the beginning of the cultivation of this type of bean. However, experts have found ancient documents that contain mention of this food product. These documents are more than 5000 years old, which allows us to consider beans much more ancient than some believe [1].

Content:

Ancient history
Energy value
The other side of the issue
Effect on the body

Controversy even swirls around her supposed homeland. According to one hypothesis, humanity owes thanks to the land of North America for such a valuable storehouse of vitamins, as was the case with potatoes. Another group of researchers believes that we need to dig much deeper. According to some reports, one needs to look for historical roots in Asian countries. They were almost the first to learn about the benefits of the product.

There are also theories that revolve around its possible purposeful cultivation in the territory of Rome or even ancient Egypt. Determining exactly where the beans came from is still problematic.

It is known for sure that in addition to knowing how to prepare a hearty meal based on beans, people also used its properties for cosmetic purposes. Ladies of past centuries prepared masks with a rejuvenating effect at home. Previously, there were even recipes for making full-fledged powder from such a plant base.

According to legend, the unsurpassed Cleopatra also often made masks from it to keep her facial skin in excellent condition.

Despite problems with determining the place where beans first appeared, the general European public learned about them after exploring North American lands. The Spaniards and Dutch, who were just beginning to explore new territories, brought a new product to the continent back in the sixteenth century.

As always happened in similar situations with Europeans, they appreciated the innovation very late.

Only after a couple of centuries they gave the product its due, starting to add it to familiar dishes. And initially, beans were positioned as an ornamental plant. This representative of the flora really blooms beautifully, especially when it comes to climbing varieties.

It is noteworthy that not all experts are able to correctly determine the botanical identity of this legume. Most people classify it as a vegetable.

However, from the point of view of botanical classification, it is more likely a fruit, since it has seeds. It just happened historically that most of us call sweet fruits that are served for dessert as fruits.

It took some more time for people to figure out and not wait for the beans to fully ripen. The latter were often added to soups, stews, and fillings for closed pies and pies. Curious Italians went further than other culinary experimenters.

History is silent about how miraculously it occurred to them to pick the still green pods. The most important thing is that it worked. Now long edible curls can be found in a much larger list of ready-made treats for holidays and everyday life. Tasty, but not yet fully ripened beans are called green or French. Since then, almost no vegetarian salad can do without her participation.

Today's market is ready to please with two main varieties of this legume: green and yellow.

Both options cannot boast of high levels of protein in relation to overripe specimens, but their taste characteristics are more delicate. The yellow analogue is generally called oil. It is not so high in calories, but it literally melts in your mouth, and its bright color brightens up the monotony of the overall culinary picture.

Collection and preparation

The shoots of the plant are mowed down and the leaves are separated from the ripened bean fruits. The beans are left for culinary purposes, and the husks are dried in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. You can also use a dryer. The temperature is set to 50-60 degrees.

The finished raw materials are placed in fabric bags or paper boxes. If necessary, it is first ground to a powder. The shelf life of the medicinal product does not exceed 3 years. It is recommended to store in a dark and dry place.

Indications for use

Traditional healers use remedies that contain bean pods to treat the following pathologies:

colds and ARVI;
cystitis;
diabetes;
hypertension and other diseases of the cardiovascular system;
arthritis;
stomach ulcer;
gastritis with low acidity;
skin pathologies (eczema);
obesity;
liver diseases;
pyelonephritis;
pancreatitis;
cataract;
asthma;
migraine;
nervous disorders.

Important!

To avoid the development of an allergic reaction, it is necessary to conduct a provocative test to check whether the patient has an individual intolerance to the product.

To carry out the procedure, a few drops of the medicine are applied to the skin of the back of the wrist. If after 20-30 minutes. If the patient experiences redness, rash, itching or burning in this area, then the use of the product for medicinal purposes is strictly prohibited.

When not to use the product

[blok_5_h2] Like all medicines, this legume has a number of restrictions on its use. The use of bean flaps is strictly prohibited in the following cases:

Treatment with decoctions, extracts or tinctures with this product is prohibited for pregnant women.
It is impossible to use such medications during lactation.

You need to know that beans in any form can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Therefore, before prescribing the drug to a patient, the doctor should check for allergies to legumes. Although the product is recommended for use in diabetes mellitus, the use of tinctures, decoctions or extracts of this type should only be done after consultation with a doctor. Independent use of the product in any form is prohibited until an accurate diagnosis is made. You should not consume it in large quantities, as this can cause allergies and flatulence.

During pregnancy, the valves can only be used in the form of a decoction under the strict supervision of a doctor, but only if the woman has swelling, and standard diuretics cannot be used.

Bean leaves in folk medicine

The raw materials are used to prepare tea, decoctions and infusions. When treating internal organs, they are taken orally. To treat skin and joint pathologies, it is recommended to take baths with the addition of pods boiled in a steam bath. The use of folk remedies is allowed only after consultation with a doctor.

Diabetes

Treatment with bean leaves is based on the action of glucokinin, which works on the principle of insulin and lowers blood sugar. Depending on the patient’s condition, the effect lasts from 5 to 7 hours.

In the initial stage of type 2 diabetes, therapy is combined with diet and constant monitoring of blood glucose levels. In other cases, traditional medicines are used as additional means to improve the general condition. The duration of their use is 3-4 months. It is prohibited to independently reduce the dosage or stop taking glucose-lowering medications.

There are single-component and combined products based on bean husks. The latter contains other medicinal plants that enhance the effect of the main ingredient:

Mix the pods with flax seeds, blueberry leaves and oat straw in a ratio of 1:2:2:2. The herbal mass is poured with 0.5 liters of boiling water and left for 25 minutes. in a steam bath. Use 1/3 cup 3 rubles. in a day;
combine blueberry leaves, nettle leaves, bean leaves and dandelion root (10 g of each component). Pour 0.4 liters of boiling water and boil for 10 minutes. Drink a decoction 4 r. 1 tablespoon per day, diluted in 0.5 glasses of water.

To quickly reduce sugar 1 tbsp. l. raw materials in powder form are poured into 0.25 liters of boiling water and left for 1 hour. Take 20 minutes before. before meals, 0.5 cups 3 rubles. per day.

You can buy the antidiabetic herbal mixture “Arfazetin” at the pharmacy. It additionally contains rose hips, blueberries, chamomile and St. John's wort.

Improvement of the digestive system

The raw material contains insoluble fiber, so the list of beneficial properties of bean leaves includes the normalization of intestinal function. The substance promotes the movement of its contents to the “exit”, which improves the condition of constipation and reduces the risk of their development.

For obesity, it is recommended to take a decoction:

3 tbsp. crushed husks are poured into 0.4 liters of boiling water;
stand for 15 minutes. in a steam bath;
filtered.

They drink medicine 4 times. 100 ml per day for 1 month.

Important!

Fiber provides quick saturation to the body, preventing a person from overeating. This property allows overweight people to reduce portion sizes and feel full for a long time.

Effect on the cardiovascular system

Thanks to the medicinal properties of bean pods, the strength and elasticity of blood vessels is restored, and the risk of the formation of cholesterol plaques is reduced.

To improve the functioning of the heart muscle, it is recommended to take the following infusion:

1 tbsp. raw materials are poured into 0.2 liters of boiling water;
wrap the container and infuse the medicine until it cools completely;
filter;
drink 3 r. per day before meals, dividing the volume into equal portions.

For arrhythmia and atherosclerosis, a decoction prepared according to the recipe described above is considered an effective remedy. It normalizes blood pressure and removes excess cholesterol.

Improving the condition of the skin

Zinc regulates the functioning of the sebaceous glands and relieves inflammation, which is the cause of acne. In combination with folic acid, it accelerates the process of cell regeneration and wound healing.

The affected areas are washed with a decoction of 2-3 r. in a day. They also use powder, which is applied to the area of inflammation for 2 hours and then washed off with warm water.

Relieving fatigue

Physical and nervous stress lead to exhaustion of the body. Magnesium and B vitamins optimize the functioning of the nervous system and normalize the psycho-emotional state.

For chronic fatigue, it is recommended to take an infusion or tea made from bean pods. Studies have shown that taking natural micronutrients for 10 days reduces signs of this condition. They normalize a person’s sleep, increase appetite and improve mood.

Relieving Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

The benefits of bean leaves for joint pathologies are due to the presence of copper in their composition. The mineral stimulates the production of enzymes that ensure elasticity of joints and ligaments. Taking folk remedies reduces inflammation of connective tissue and activates the process of its regeneration.

For this pathology, it is recommended to use the following recipe:

pour 1 tbsp. crushed husks 0.5 liters of boiling water;
leave for 3-4 hours;
filter.

Moisten the finished infusion and apply it to the affected area for 30 minutes.

Cold treatment

If cooling the body has become the cause of the development of the disease, then it is recommended to drink tea with bean leaves and honey. They strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of complications. You can also use an infusion, but the dosage should be checked with your doctor.

Taking a bath with a decoction is considered an effective treatment procedure. 50 g of husks are poured into 1 liter of boiling water and boiled in a steam bath for 15 minutes. The resulting product is poured into water. Duration of the procedure is 20-30 minutes.

Prevention of Alzheimer's disease

The pathology occurs against the background of deterioration in the functioning of the brain and is accompanied by the development of dementia. The main cause of its occurrence is considered to be amyloid deposits in the tissues of the organ, which leads to the death of its cells.

Important!

Regular consumption of foods high in B vitamins helps prevent this pathological process.

These substances are present in bean leaves, so taking decoctions and infusions regulates protein metabolism, strengthens brain cells and slows down the process of age-related changes.

Strengthening Bones

After 65 years in men and during menopause in women, the production of hormones responsible for retaining calcium in the body decreases. Bones become brittle and thin, and the risk of fractures increases.

Bean hulls restore mineral levels in the body, and the potassium and folic acid in its composition ensure the strength of bone tissue. Preventive intake of products based on raw materials will prevent the development of pathologies that lead to osteoporosis.

Anti-aging effect

The presence of antioxidants helps eliminate free radicals and slow down age-related changes. Cosmetologists recommend using a mask with bean pods to improve skin tone and smooth out wrinkles.

To obtain the product, mix 100 g of husk in powder form, 2 tbsp. lemon juice and 1 tbsp. olive oil. Apply the mask after cleansing the skin for 30 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

Cataract

The disease develops against the background of age-related changes or infectious diseases. The substances in the product strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of developing such disorders. Vitamin C improves blood supply to the eyes, which helps improve vision.

To treat cataracts, it is recommended to drink a decoction of beans and blueberries:

3 dessert spoons of herbal mass are poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water;
bring to a boil in a steam bath;
leave for 1.5 hours;
filtered.

Take a decoction of 2 r. a day before meals, ½ glass.

Application of sashes

Due to the large number of healing properties, pleasant taste and balanced composition, bean pods are actively used in various areas of human activity. They affect cooking, cosmetology and traditional medicine. In addition, the product helps fight excess body weight and is indicated for overweight people.

In cooking

Bean family products have a neutral taste, so they go well with any culinary dishes and herbs. Bean shells are often added to fish and meat. They also absorb seasonings and are pleasantly spicy or sweet.

In eastern countries, raw materials are used to create flour, which is ground and used for baking. The fruits are dried, fried, pickled and steamed. Both whole grains and crushed puree are used for food. Bean paste is made from it.

Salads are diluted with beans for extra satiety. They are also used to create delicious soups, side dishes and snacks.

Due to their rich chemical composition, the leaves are used to prepare cosmetic masks for skin care

In cosmetology

Since bean pods contain many valuable substances, they are actively used in the cosmetology industry. The presence of individual components restores the tone of the epidermis and regenerates cellular components. The antiseptic effect deeply cleanses the skin from pustules and rashes.

The valuable extract is used in the production of skin care products. They strengthen elastic fibers and promote collagen production. Experts prescribe bean leaf-based products to patients with problematic skin types.

Masks based on valves not only saturate the skin with nutrients, but also smooth out small wrinkles and have a lifting effect. The bean product has a whitening property and deeply cleanses the skin, relieving irritation.

For weight loss

Due to the ability to break down fats and speed up metabolism in the body, beans have also found use in the field of weight loss. Women create healthy decoctions and take them on an empty stomach every morning. Together with comprehensive physical exercises, proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, this remedy gives good results in a short time.

How to prepare medicines

For medicinal purposes, it is recommended to prepare infusions and decoctions. The recipe is selected taking into account the type of pathology. The medicine must be shaken before use. To increase the effectiveness of the products, the main component is mixed with other medicinal plants.

Infusions

This medicine is more often used for medicinal purposes and is prepared by performing the following steps:

dried or purchased raw materials are poured with boiling water;
boil if necessary;
insist for at least 8 hours;
filter.

Important!

The doctor calculates the dosage for each patient, taking into account the nature of his disease. Sugar cannot be added to the finished product.

Alternative medicine offers the following recipes for diabetes remedies:

50 g of bean leaves, crushed to a powder, pour 0.4 liters of boiling water and leave for 12 hours. Drink the infusion within 20 minutes. before meals 125 ml;
3 tbsp. powder is poured into 1 liter of water and kept in the dark for 8 hours. Strain and take 200 ml on an empty stomach. The medicine helps diabetics get rid of swelling.

For cystitis and pancreatitis, an infusion is prepared from 40 g of pods and 1 liter of boiling water. Drink 3-4 r. ½ cup per day for 7 days. If the patient has a chronic form of the pathology, then treatment should be continued for at least 1 month.

To eliminate inflammation and alleviate symptoms of diseases of the genitourinary system, it is recommended to take a combined infusion. The main component is mixed in equal parts with bearberry and corn silk. 2 tbsp. l. herbal mass pour 1 liter of boiling water. Keep in a steam bath for 15 minutes. and insist. The strained product is drunk until relief occurs, 5-6 r. in a day.

Decoctions

Prepared for the prevention of various pathologies, strengthening the immune system and applying compresses.

The recipe requires the following steps:

dried and crushed raw materials are poured with boiling water at the rate of 2 tbsp. l. for 1 l;
boil in a steam bath for 15-20 minutes;
leave to cool;
in 45-60 minutes. filter;
add boiled water until the original volume is obtained.

Drink the medicine 20-30 minutes before. before meals 3 r. per day 125 ml. The decoction is not stored for a long time, so the maximum volume of the prepared product should not exceed 0.75 ml.

To improve vision, mix bean leaves and blueberry leaves in equal proportions. Pour 1 tbsp. collect 0.3 liters of water, boil for 20 minutes. and filter. Take a decoction of 2 r. per day for 2-3 months.

For the heart and blood pressure reduction

Bean pods are recommended for use for heart problems and high blood pressure in different ways.

Crushed dried bean pods - 20 g are poured into a saucepan with a liter of water. Heat in a water bath for 3-4 hours. Then the broth is allowed to cool to room temperature and expressed through three layers of gauze. 100 ml is consumed every six hours.

Normalization of cardiac muscle functions

Sprinkle 1 tbsp. l. crushed dried leaves into a faience mug. Steam 200 ml of boiling water. Wrap the container tightly with a warm scarf and leave until it cools. The healing liquid is expressed through a sieve, taking a third of a glass before breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Elimination of arrhythmia

Place 30 g of dried bean pods in an enamel saucepan with 300 ml of water. The composition must be boiled over low heat for a quarter of an hour. The decoction, filtered after cooling, is drunk 35 ml three times a day before meals.

Contraindications

The beneficial properties of bean flaps do not exclude the presence of contraindications for use by women and men in the following situations:

individual intolerance;
tendency to hypoglycemia;
pregnancy and lactation period.

The rule for using a herbal product for medicinal purposes is to additionally take vitamin and mineral complexes. This is due to the diuretic effect, which is accompanied by the leaching of various beneficial micronutrients from the body. For this reason, a long course of traditional therapy is undesirable.

Bean pods: benefits and harms. What are green beans?

What are green beans, the benefits and harm to human health, what medicinal properties does it have? All this is of great interest to those who lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor their health, and are interested in traditional methods of treatment, including using vegetables and cereals So we will try to answer these questions in the following article.

So:

Green beans (colloquially green beans) are unripe pods of common beans that are used as food. They are often sold frozen or canned. There are a variety of cooking methods - stewing, boiling, frying. Due to its high lectin content, it should be consumed in moderation.

The main producers of this product are China, Indonesia, Türkiye, and India. Kenya leads in terms of export volumes. In the European Union, the leading position is occupied by France and the Benelux countries. Green beans are included in many Belgian dishes.

Beans (lat. Phaseolus) are a genus of plants in the Legume family. It is one of the oldest cultivated plants on the planet. Currently, it ranks second among legumes in the world after soybeans.

This plant has been known to mankind since very ancient times. The earliest mention of it in ancient written monuments dates back to the 2nd millennium BC. e. It was used for food in ancient China. And archaeologists discovered its first seeds while working on excavations of monuments of pre-Incan culture in Peru. This plant was common among the ancient Incas and Aztecs, and the ancient Greeks and Romans used beans not only as food, but also as a medicine. The Slavs became acquainted with this plant around the 11th century.

Beans came to Russia quite recently - in the 16th century - from Turkey and France. At first it was called beans and was specially grown only for decorative purposes. They began to grow it as a vegetable only in the 18th century. Beans have become more popular in recent years.