The almighty Phaseolus vulgaris L. (a.k.a. common Beans)

Common bean is one widely underestimated meal, that is rarely known as herb.

We are so used to beans, that we don't know how much we benefit from eating them.

All the Phaseolus vulgaris plant is useful, but the best qualities are in the dried pod. If you can't find pods to dry, do the following.

• Get 10-20 seeds of white bean (every kitchen has beans, but you may get to the grocery shop to buy some).
• Get a clay pot and seed them under less then 1 inch soil.
• Push a long stick in the soil, so the bean can climb and have more space to grow.
• Wait for 3-4 weeks and don't forget to water it twice a week.

Best season to plant beans is May or June, but they will grow indoors even in winter time, provided there is sunlight at least every other day and you put them on southern window.

The blossoms are very tender, almost without smell. Grouped in clusters of 5. If you are planting it indoors, germination/pollination must be done by hand. Get your index finger inside all the flowers one by one, and be careful not to damage them.

The Phaseolus vulgaris plant takes about month to grow at summer but longer at winter. When the pods start to open by themselves, collect the bean seeds (and cook them). It is their pods that you are really after.

Drying.

Sunlight. Until they start to crush in your hand.

Decoction preparation.

Get 3 tablespoons of dried bean pods in 1 pint of boiling water. Boil for 10 minutes and let it cool. Drink one glass before every meal.

Properties.

• Phaseolus vulgaris decoction lowers blood glucose levels
• Mild diuretic
• Slightly lowers blood pressure
• Suppresses hunger.

Dietrine Phaseolamin

Lately, another dietary drug is seen in the market, that is based on Phaseolus vulgaris. Is is called Dietrine Phaseolamin. Except the extract from beans, that we already know are good - there is also Chromium and Vanadium.

It does suppress appetite by lowering blood glucose levels and making you more accepting to your own insulin.

Having dry bean pods extract in a drug, only confirms how good this herb (or food) is for you.