🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Black beans, flavor sweet, nature neutral, non-toxic. Have functions of activating blood circulation, promoting diuresis, dispelling wind, clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing blood and essence, replenishing deficiency, and blackening hair. According to *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “Black beans have strong effects on the kidneys, hence they can treat edema, distension, gas, wind-heat, and activate blood while detoxifying.”
Black beans are nutritionally rich. Per 100 grams: protein 36.1 g, fat 15.9 g, dietary fiber 10.2 g, carbohydrates 23.3 g, calcium 224 mg, magnesium 243 mg, potassium 1377 mg, phosphorus 500 mg, and essential vitamins B1, B2, C, niacin, and trace elements iron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum, selenium. Black beans are among the most nutritious health foods in plants.
Protein content in black beans is more than twice that of beef, chicken, pork, and 12 times that of milk. Not only high in quantity but also high in quality. The amino acid profile of black bean protein resembles animal proteins, with abundant lysine close to human requirements, making it easily digestible and absorbable. Black bean fat contains abundant unsaturated fatty acids, low melting point, easy to digest and absorb, does not deposit on blood vessel walls. Its key feature is plant sterols, which are absorbed by the body and inhibit cholesterol absorption. Thus, black beans are an ideal health supplement for middle-aged and elderly people with arteriosclerosis. Rich in calcium, black beans are excellent sources for calcium supplementation. Potassium maintains osmotic pressure and acid-base balance inside and outside cells, helps eliminate excess sodium, effectively preventing and lowering hypertension. Iron prevents iron-deficiency anemia; iodine prevents goiter. Molybdenum inhibits synthesis of carcinogenic nitrosamines in the body. Research shows that phytoestrogen isoflavones in black beans effectively inhibit breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer, and help prevent osteoporosis in middle-aged and elderly. Fiber components like cellulose and hemicellulose in bean skins and residue aid in preventing constipation and enhancing gastrointestinal function. Black beans have a very low glycemic index of only 18, while rice and wheat steamed buns commonly consumed in China reach up to 88—nearly five times higher. Therefore, black beans are highly suitable for diabetics, impaired glucose tolerance individuals, and those aiming to control blood sugar.
In long-term agrarian society, people observed that livestock fed black beans became stronger, healthier, and more resistant to disease, so black beans were primarily used as animal feed. This reflects their inherent nutritional and health benefits. At that time, white-colored foods were preferred; only the poor or underfed ate black beans. However, physicians and health practitioners discovered and summarized the medicinal and health benefits of black beans.
(1) For kidney deficiency and diabetes: Equal parts of stir-fried black beans and Trichosanthes root powder, made into pills the size of梧桐子 (tung seed), take 70 pills each time with decoction of black beans, twice daily.
(2) For liver deficiency and dizziness: Black beans and vinegar placed together in a cow gallbladder, hung in a ventilated area to dry naturally. Take 7 grains every night, long-term use leads to recovery.
(3) For yin deficiency and night sweats: 15 grams of black bean husk, 15 grams of floating wheat, decoct and drink.
(4) For elderly kidney deficiency with deafness and children's nocturnal enuresis: 500 grams of pork, 100 grams of black beans, cook until soft, eat freely.
(5) For age-related premature graying: Use black beans as needed, steam and sun-dry repeatedly, take twice daily, 6 grams each time, chew and swallow with light salt water.
(6) For various non-genetic premature graying: 120 grams of black beans, 500 grams of rice vinegar. Simmer vinegar with black beans until soft and pasty-like, filter out residue. Use clean toothbrush dipped in white vinegar to brush hair externally, once daily (not recommended for skin diseases).
(7) For hair loss: 500 grams of black beans, 1000 grams of water. Simmer gently until water evaporates completely. Remove and let slightly dry, sprinkle with fine salt, store in bottle. Take 6 grams per dose, twice daily.
(8) For postpartum wind and blood stagnation: 3 sheng (approx. 3 liters) of black beans, stir-fry until smoke appears, pack into a wine bottle, soak for one day. Take half small cup of the wine each time, three times daily, until slight sweating and body feels moist, then stop.
(9) For female amenorrhea: 30 grams of black beans, 8 grams of safflower, decoct and mix with 50 grams of brown sugar, warm and drink.
(10) For male hematuria: One sheng (approx. 1 liter) of black beans, stir-fry until roasted, soak in hot wine, discard beans and drink the wine.
(11) For infantile fever due to congenital heat: 6 grams of black beans, 3 grams of licorice, 7 inches of lampwick grass, 1 piece of thin bamboo leaf, decoct and drink.
(12) For hypertension: 200 grams of black beans, 500 grams of aged vinegar, soak for one week. Chew and swallow 30 beans each time, three times daily.
(13) For barium poisoning: Drink decoction of black beans.
Black beans are cultivated nationwide. Due to differences in variety, climate, and soil, quality varies; darker, glossy beans are best. There are many ways to consume black beans: grind into flour for steamed buns; boil for cold dishes; roast as snacks; make soy milk as beverage; sprout for vegetables—increasing vitamin content and improving protein and fat digestibility. Although black beans are a nutritional health food, they must be cooked thoroughly. Raw black beans contain anti-trypsin, which impairs protein digestion and absorption, potentially causing diarrhea. Cooking, frying, or steaming destroys this enzyme, eliminating side effects.<Black Beans>