Hyacinth Bean: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) is a climbing plant that produces seeds (beans). It is eaten as food and also used as medicine.

Hyacinth bean contains proteins and starches. Chemicals in the bean might have antidiabetic effects and also help protect the liver.

People sometimes use hyacinth bean for diarrhea, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Hyacinth Bean overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Raw hyacinth bean is possibly unsafe in large amounts. Raw hyacinth bean contains certain chemicals, called cyanogenic glycosides, which can be poisonous.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Raw hyacinth bean is possibly unsafe in large amounts. Raw hyacinth bean contains certain chemicals, called cyanogenic glycosides, which can be poisonous.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hyacinth bean is safe when used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Hyacinth Bean overview.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of hyacinth bean might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Malaikozhundan B, Suresh P, Seshadri S, Janarthanan S. Toxicity assessment of wild bean seed protein--arcelin on Asian armyworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius). Indian J Exp Biol 2003;41(12):1463-1465.

Yoshiki Y, Kim JH, Okubo K, et al. A saponin conjugated with 2,3-dihydro-2,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one from Dolichos lablab. Phytochemistry 1995;38(1):229-231.

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Yoshikawa M, Murakami T, Komatsu H, Matsuda H. Medicinal foodstuffs. XII. Saponin constituents with adjuvant activity from hyacinth bean, the seeds of Dolichos lablab L. (1): Structures of lablabosides A, B, and C. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1998;46(5):812-816.

Kaushik P, Khanna D. Four sterols from in vivo and in vitro tissue cultures of Dolichos lablab L. Indian J Pharm Sci 1990;52:267-268.

Salgarkar S, Sohonie K. Haemagglutinins of field bean (Dolichos lablab). I. Isolation, purification & properties of haemagglutinins. Indian J Biochem 1965;2(3):193-196.

Colucci G, Moore JG, Feldman M, Chrispeels MJ. cDNA cloning of FRIL, a lectin from Dolichos lablab, that preserves hematopoietic progenitors in suspension culture. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1999;96(2):646-50.

Naeem M, Khan MMA, Moinuddin, Siddiqui MH. Triacontanol stimulates nitrogen-fixation, enzyme activities, photosynthesis, crop productivity and quality of hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus L.). Scientia Horticulturae 2009;121(4):389-396.

Pearman G. "Nuts, Seeds, and Pulses." The cultural history of plants. New York, NY: Routledge, 2005.

Dey SK, Karmakar S, De PK, et al. Ethnobotanical Study in A Remote District of West Bengal, India. Pharmbit 2009;XX(2):91-96.

Im AR, Kim YH, Lee HW, Song KH. Water extract of Dolichos lablab attenuates hepatic lipid accumulation in a cellular nonalcoholic fatty liver disease model. J Med Food. 2016;19(5):495-503.

Im AR, Kim YH, Kim YH, Yang WK, Kim SH, Song KH. Dolichos lablab protects against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice fed high-fat diets. J Med Food. 2017;20(12):1222-1232.

Wang YX, Pi JC, Yao YF, Peng XP, Li WJ, Xie MY. Hypoglycemic effects of white hyacinth bean polysaccharide on type 2 diabetes mellitus rats involvement with entero-insular axis and GLP-1 via metabolomics study. Int J Biol Macromol 2024;281(Pt 3):136489.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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