Bai Bian Dou-Hyacinth Bean-Semen Lablab Album

Bai Bian Dou, also known as Lablab purpureus or Hyacinth Bean, is a widely used Spleen-strengthening and dampness-resolving herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is especially valued for its ability to tonify the Spleen, resolve dampness, stop diarrhea, and alleviate summer heat-related conditions.

Bai Bian Dou is often used in digestive disorders, fatigue, loose stools, and summer damp-heat syndromes, making it a great nutritive and medicinal food that is commonly incorporated into soups and congee in TCM dietary therapy.

Functions & Benefits of Bai Bian Dou

1. Strengthens the Spleen & Improves Digestion

• Helps with poor appetite, bloating, nausea, and weak digestion.
• Beneficial for individuals with Spleen Qi Deficiency, often characterized by fatigue, loose stools, and sluggish digestion.
• Often used in herbal soups and porridge to gently nourish the digestive system.

2. Resolves Dampness & Stops Diarrhea

• Treats chronic loose stools or diarrhea due to Spleen Qi Deficiency.
• Effective in cases of excess dampness in the body, which can cause heaviness, bloating, and sluggishness.
• Often combined with Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) and Fu Ling (Poria Mushroom) for digestive health.

3. Clears Summer Heat & Alleviates Heat-Induced Illness

• Helps with heatstroke, dehydration, nausea, and diarrhea caused by summer damp-heat.
• Commonly used in herbal tea or soups during hot and humid weather to prevent summer fatigue and indigestion.
• Often combined with Huo Xiang (Patchouli) and Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears) for cooling and detoxifying effects.

4. Detoxifies & Reduces Food Poisoning Effects

• Used in TCM for cases of mild food poisoning, vomiting, and diarrhea due to contaminated or spoiled food.
• Helps in digesting greasy or heavy foods, making it useful for individuals prone to indigestion.
• Often taken as a tea or powder to settle the stomach.

Indications (Who Can Benefit from It?)

✔ Individuals with weak digestion, bloating, or chronic loose stools.
✔ People who frequently feel sluggish or heavy due to excess dampness.
✔ Those prone to summer heat exhaustion, nausea, or dehydration.
✔ Individuals recovering from mild food poisoning or indigestion.
✔ Elderly individuals or those with weak Spleen Qi needing a gentle tonic.

Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis in TCM

• Tongue: Pale with a thick white or greasy coating (Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness).
• Pulse: Weak or slippery (indicating weak digestion and damp accumulation).

Common TCM Patterns Treated by Bai Bian Dou

1. Spleen Qi Deficiency – Poor digestion, bloating, fatigue, diarrhea.
2. Damp-Heat Accumulation – Nausea, poor appetite, loose stools, heaviness in the body.
3. Summer Heat-Dampness – Heat exhaustion, dehydration, nausea, and dizziness.

Precautions & Contraindications

• Not suitable for individuals with excessive cold in the body (cold hands, weak digestion with watery stools).
• Avoid eating raw Bai Bian Dou – It must be cooked properly to remove potential toxins.
• Use in moderation if experiencing constipation – Since it reduces dampness, excessive use may dry out the intestines.

TCM Herbal Combinations with Bai Bian Dou

Conclusion

Bai Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean) is a gentle yet effective herb for digestive health, dampness reduction, and summer heat prevention. It is often used in soups, teas, and porridges to support the Spleen, regulate digestion, and prevent dehydration or bloating.