Bean Pods – A Home Remedy for Diabetes and More

Because of their high content of proteins and some essential minerals, beans have been since forever a culinary favorite, especially during periods of fasting. But there is more to beans than that, and some modern studies have shown that bean pods, for example, can be very helpful for those with diabetes, hypothyroidism etc.

Composition and properties

Bean pods have a high content of dietary fibers and they are also rich in some aminoacids (arginine, asparagine, tyrosine, tryptophan), minerals (especially phosphorus), and flavonoids, all of these substances being responsible for an overall laxative and diuretic effect and for specific antioxidant activities that make bean pods a fairly good option for treating various diseases.

Preparations

• Powder: Finely cut the dried bean pods, then ground them and store them in a tightly closed jar.
• Decoction: Add 4 tablaspoons of finely cut dried bean pods in 500 ml of water and slowly boil them for 30 minutes. Sift while still hot.
• Tincture: Add 2 tablespoons of finely cut dried bean pods in 100 ml alcohol 40% for 10 days, shaking the recipient 3-4 times a day. Sift and let the liquor decant for 6 days in the refrigerator, then transfer the more limpid part in another recipient.
• Medicinal wine: Add 5 tablespoons of finely cut dried bean pods in 1 l of hot boiled white wine and let them macerate for 10 days, shaking the recipient 2-3 times a day. Sift and let the liquor decant for 6 days, then transfer the more limpid part in smaller recipients.

Medicinal uses

• Insomnia (due to the presence of tryptophan, a precursor of melatonin, the hormone responsible for triggering sleep): Take ½ teaspoon of tincture in a glass of water, or drink a small cup of medicinal wine, in the evening, 1-2 hours before bedtime.
• Lung cancer (some research suggests that, due to their relatively high content of isoflavones consuming beans with pods can decrease the risk of developing lung cancer with 44% to 72%): Take ¼ teaspoon of powder, 3 times a day.
• Hypothyroidism (due to the presence of tyrosine, a precursor of thyroidian hormones): Drink 2 cups a day of decoction, with honey; take 30 drops of tincture, 3 times a day, in a teaspoon of sugar; or take 3 tablespoons of medicinal wine, 2 times a day, after a meal.
• Oligospermia and erectile dysfunctions: Take 30 drops of tincture, 3 times a day, in a teaspoon of sugar, or 3 tablespoons of medicinal wine, 2 times a day, after a meal.
• Gout: Drink 2 cups a day of decoction, with honey; take 30 drops of tincture, 3 times a day, in a cup of willow bark tea; or take 3 tablespoons of medicinal wine, 2 times a day, after a meal.
• High cholesterol blood levels: Drink 2 cups a day of decoction, with honey, or take 30 drops of tincture, 3 times a day, in a teaspoon of sugar.
• Kidney stones, urinary tract infections: Drink 2-3 cups a day of decoction, with honey.
• Obesity (some research suggests that a certain white kidney bean pod extract can help reduce weight in overweight people, and, paradoxically, it seems to be more effective if you consume more carbohydrates)
• Diabetes: Take ¼ teaspoon of powder, 3 times a day, or drink 2 cups a day of decoction, with honey, after a meal. Alternatively, you can boil 2 tablespoons of finely cut dried bean pods in 200 ml of water for 5 minutes, then add a tablespoon of finely cut dried mulberry leaves and let steep for 15 minutes. Drink 2 cups a day of this mixed infusion.
• Liver disease: Take ¼ teaspoon of powder, 3 times a day, or drink 2 cups a day of decoction, with honey.