Amazing Health Benefits of Indian Bean/Hyacinth bean

Health Benefits, Uses and Side Effects of Indian bean/ Hyacinth bean

Overview

Indian bean is a popular vegetable used across the world. These legumes contain many beneficiary ingredients for the body such as vitamins, proteins, minerals etc. These foods which are full of such nutrients help in keeping various physical problems or diseases away.

benefits of Indian bean

Plant Description 

The Indian bean is a small to medium-sized, fast growing, medium-time deciduous plant with wide, extended, round crown-like parts that can usually grow up to a height of 15-18 meters. It has a stem of diameter up to 1 meter. The plant is often found to grow on damp rich soil along river.  The plant grows best in open, damp, well drained alkaline and deep soil, but can develop into different moisture systems once established. The roots are fibrous and the branches are fragile.

Benefits of Indian Bean / Hyacinth Bean

Its juice has a bitter taste. The roots of this plant are toxic so it should not be handled or composted. Wood density is medium to thin. It has a faint, non-characteristic smell and no characteristic taste.  Its pods are clustered in a group of 6 to 7. The pods are long and hanging under the leaves. Leaves are placed densely and are divided into 3 large sheets 3-6 inches long. Each heart-shaped sheet has smooth from top and short hair at the bottom. The color of the pods and leaves is medium green to dark green.  

Cultivation

The Indian bean needs open, moist, well drained alkaline and deep soil to grow well. This plant breeds with seeds. The plant bears flowers between June and July and bears fruit in the month of October-December. An Indian bean plant can live for 50 to 150 years based on various environmental conditions.

The following article will discuss the benefits, uses and possible side effects of one such nutritious food- Indian bean.

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Different Regional Names of Indian Bean/ Hyacinth Bean

  • Assamese : Urohi
  • Hindi : Bhatvas, Shimi, Shem
  • Marathi : Anvare, Kadavebaala, Pandhre Pavate
  • Kannada : Chapparada avare, avare, avare baele
  • Telugu : Chikkudu, Adavichikkudu, Alsanda
  • Tamil : Avarai, Mochai
  • Bengali : Rajshimbi
  • Malayalam : Amara, Avara
  • Assamese : Urahi, Urchi, Uri
  • Manipuri : Hawai uri
  • Sanskrit : Nispavah
  • Nepali : Raaj Simee, Taste simee, simee
  • Mizo : Be-pui
  • Angami : Kecu

Scientific Classification of Indian Bean / Hyacinth Bean

  • Kingdom : Plantae
  • Clade : Angiosperms
  • Clade : Eudicots
  • Clade : Rosids
  • Order : Fabales
  • Family : Fabaceae
  • Sub-Family : Faboideae
  • Genus : Lablab
  • Species : L. purpureus
  • Scientific name: Lablab purpureus

Nutritious Substances of Indian bean / Hyacinth Bean

  • Energy : 50 Kilo calorie
  • Carbohydrate : 9.2 gm
  • Fiber : 25.6 gm
  • Fat : 0.27 gm
  • Protein : 2.95 gm
  • Vitamins
    • Thiamine/B1 :  0.056 mg 
    • Riboflavin : 0.088 mg
    • Niacin/b3 : 0.48 mg
    • Folate : 47 microgram
    • Vitamin C : 5.1 mg
  • Minerals
    • Calcium : 41 mg
    • Iron : 0.76 mg
    • Magnesium : 42 mg 
    • Manganese : 0.21 mg
    • Phosphorus : 49 mg
    • Potassium : 262 mg
    • Sodium : 21 mg
    • Zinc : 0.38 mg

Benefits of Indian Bean/ Hyacinth Bean

  1. Good for Brain Health:

Copper is essential for brain pathways such as galactose and dopamine that help maintain attitude, perspective and focus. Lack of copper can lead to fatigue, poor mood, concentration problems and low metabolic activity. Antioxidants present in the Indian bean prevent damage caused by free radicals and slow down aging processes, neuro-degenerative diseases and cancers.

  1. Prevents Cancer:

Zinc has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent oxidative stress and reduce the risk of disease. The zinc in the Indian bean contributes to healthy cell division, prevents changes in cells and prohibits tumor growth. Research has shown that adequate intake of zinc reduces oxidative stress with infection and side effects. It has the ability to promote the immune system.

  1. Good for Respiratory System:

Minerals such as selenium, manganese and zinc present in Indian beans benefit people with lung disorders such as chronic resistant pulmonary disease. Oxidative stress is the cause of respiratory disorders and chronic resistant pulmonary disease. Manganese softens oxidative pressure as well as helps in healing the lungs by preparing SOD.

  1. Improves Cardiovascular health:

Vitamin B1 is important for acetylcholine production which is a neurotransmitter that sends messages from nerves to muscles. The heart depends on these signals. Studies have shown that vitamin B1 helps in preventing heart disease as it maintains healthy ventricular function and also treats heart failure.

  1. Treats Insomnia:

The benefits of Indian beans are also noticed in the case of insomnia. Minimal absorption and use of nutrients is the cause of insomnia. Adequate magnesium helps in increasing the high concentration of melatonin associated with sleep, low levels of cortisol and stress. These nutrients are found in Indian beans.

  1. Boosts Digestion:

The fiber present in the Indian bean plays an important role in digestion. Insoluble fiber stool helps in healing the process and also helps in the removal of waste from the body. It helps in preventing swelling, constipation and indigestion. Soluble fiber absorbs water to form a substance which is fermented by bacteria in the digestive tract by increasing digestion.

  1. Provides Energy:

Iron present in the Indian bean helps in transporting oxygen to the cells. It helps the body absorb nutrients and digest protein from food. Low levels of iron presence slow down the process, causes problems in activation and causes fatigue. Thus consumption of Indian beans provides energy to the body.

  1. Treats Cramp: 

The Indian bean contains enough potassium which reduces muscle contractions and improves muscle strength. Potassium deficiency is the cause of muscle contraction. Potassium calms the muscles by balancing the fluid levels. Low levels of potassium cause cramps, common pain and muscle contractions. It helps break down proteins and carbs that depend on the muscles to keep.

  1. Good for Gums:

Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus are essential for maintaining bone health by helping to maintain the mineral density of the jaw-bone, tooth enamel and tooth keeping. Vitamins and minerals help in curing tooth decay. Children need foods rich in calcium and phosphorus that help in forming solid tooth structures. Along with phosphorus, vitamin D is essential to balance calcium in the body and increase its absorption for tooth formation. Vitamin D reduces inflammation of the beady associated with the disease of periodontal beads.

  1. Enhances Mood:

Protein foods contain amino acids that are essential for balancing hormones, controlling mood and treating anxiety. Protein helps with the functioning of neurotransmitters and adjusts to hormones like serotonin and dopamine that help calm us down. Protein balances glucose and prevents irritable, mood prospects and cravings associated with variations in blood sugar levels.

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Uses of Indian Bean/ Hyacinth Bean  

1) Tea made from Indian bean plant bark is used as antiseptic. It is an antidote to snake bites, laxatives, healers and vermifuges.

2) It is used by mixing with other herbs to prepare medicine for whooping cough in children.

3) It is also used to treat asthma and spasmodic cough in children.

4) The bark of the Indian bean plant is used as an alternative to quinoin in the treatment of malaria.

5) Leaves are used as poultice on injury and scratches.

6) Tea made from Indian bean seeds may treat Asthma and Bronchitis.

7) Pods are believed to be curable and have cardio-active properties.

8) Filtered juice extracted from the pods is mixed with Ibright and rota gravolence is a valuable eye wash in the treatment of tracoma and conjunctivitis.

9) Pods and seeds are used in chronic bronchial affection, spasmodic asthma, and dysphonia, and certain types of functional heart disease symptoms.

10) Leaves are used in wounds as catoplasm and are also used in irritable testicle ulcers.

11) Bark is used internally, in the form of powder or disacton, in testicle disease as anthalymintic.

12) Tea made from bark and leaves are often used in herbal medicines to treat skin lesions and scars, infections, snake bites and even malaria.

13) Fruits and leaves can be used for cancer and respiratory tract problems.

14) According to scientists, Indian beans contain protein, calcium, magnesium, sodium sulphur and iron. It is rich in vitamin A and has a minimal amount of vitamin C. Which makes it beneficial for the body.

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Harmful Side Effects of Indian Bean/ Hyacinth Bean

There are some harmful dichotomies along with the benefits of Indian bean, they are –

  • Raw beans contain certain chemical toxins called cyanogenic glycoside which are harmful to the body when consumed in large quantities.
  • The use of Indian beans during pregnancy and breastfeed is probably unsafe. So please discuss with your doctor before consuming it or using any medicines made of it.

Conclusion

The above article informs you about the benefits of Indian beans along with other related details. We hope the information mentioned in this article benefits you in various ways. Thank you!

FAQ

1) Which is known as Indian bean?

A. Dolisos beans are known as Indian beans or Hyacinth beans. In Northeastern hills of India it is known as sem/seem.

2) How is Indian bean cultivated?

A- This bean prefers a long growing season to grow well. The temperature should be about 18-21°C/65-70°faraned, and the seeds take any time from 10-25 days to sprout. Place the seedlings in a warm lighted area and maintain the pot as they grow.

3) How much protein does an Indian bean contain?

A- Indian beans have both neutral and pharmaceutical properties for use as medicinal food. Studies on nutritional composition have shown that beans are a good source of protein, carbohydrates and energy. The protein level in this bean is 20-25%.

4) Where do Indian beans grow well?

A- It grows best in tropical and subtropical regions. L. Perpurius can develop on different soils, from sand to soil, 4.5-7.5. It does not grow well in saline or poorly drained grounds, but it grows better than most pulses in acidic conditions.

5) Can we use Indian beans as fodder for rabbits?

A. Indian bean is suitable forage for eating the rabbits, even if used as the only food, but it is more valuable when included in a balanced diet.

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