Pinyin: bai bian dou (chao)

English Name: hyacinth beans (Stir Fried)

Latin Name: Stir Fried Lablab Semen Album

Properties: sweet, slightly warm
Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
1. Strengthens Spleen

2. Clears Summer-Heat and Dampness

3. Eliminates Toxins

DOSAGE

10 to 30 grams in decoctions; 6 to 10 grams in powder.

CAUTIONS I CONTRAINDICA TIONS
According to Ben Cao Cong Xin (Thoroughly Revised Materia Medica) by Wu Yi-Luo in 1751, dry-fried Bian Dou is the preferred form of this herb, as ingestion of an excessive amount of fresh Bian Dou (without cooking) is toxic. [Note: Fresh Bian Dou is considered toxic because it contains hemagglutinin A, the compound responsible for the adverse reactions. Heat-processed Bian Dou is not toxic, because hemagglutinin A is readily rendered inactive by heat. 1]