Wild Peas: Benefits and Uses

Wild Peas: Unlocking the Power of Nature's Remedies

Wild Peas Herbal Image

Also known as: Ling Wu beans, Ma liao beans, Thin black beans, Ji beans, Liao beans, Ma beans.

Flavor: Sweet, cool.

Primarily affects: Kidney meridian and blood circulation.

These are the seeds of the legume plant known as Lao beans. The dry seeds are oval-shaped, slightly flat, roughly 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. The outer seed coat is initially covered with a sticky, yellow-brown substance. Once cleaned, the coat appears black-brown with yellow-white spots and a glossy sheen. The seeds are known for their hard texture and inside, there are two thick yellow cotyledons. The beans have a slight legume aroma when chewed. The best quality beans are full, black, and free from soil and impurities.

How to Use Wild Peas

Internal use: Decoction of 9-15 grams; or in pills or powders.

Functions and Applications of Wild Peas

Benefits: Enhances liver and kidney functions, dispels wind, and detoxifies.

Uses: Treats dim sight due to energy deficiency, kidney weakness accompanied with back pain, night sweats, muscle and bone aches, postpartum nervous disorders, and childhood nutritional deficits.

Precautions

According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica": May cause bowel movement, should be avoided by those with loose stomach and spleen issues.

Safety Tip: Always consult a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner before using herbal treatments.

Combinations

  1. Treats kidney back pain and dim vision: Combine equal parts of Waist-style Wujia beans and Ma liao beans, make a broth with a little salt, and consume hot at dawn. Avoid using iron pots. (Compassionate Navigation Book)
  2. Treats pregnancy-related backache: Roast two parts of Ma liao black beans and stew with a cup of rice wine until 70% reduced. Take on an empty stomach. (Guidebook for Mothers)
  3. Improves vision and strengthens kidneys, addressing muscle and bone pain: Combine twelve cleaned and stemless small red dates, 3 qian of Gansu wolfberry, and 4 qian of small Ma liao beans. Boil with two bowls of water and consume the entire mixture when fasting in the morning. (Wang Dinggui's Therapeutic Compendium)
  4. Treats dim vision due to energy deficiency and presbyopia: Mix equal parts of Ma liao beans, Gan wolfberry, and Privet fruit (exclude Privet fruit for dim vision due to deficiency). Grind into powder and form honey pellets as large as Wutong seeds, taking 2-3 qian twice daily. (Compassionate Navigation Book)
  5. Treats night sweats: Combine seven lotus seeds, seven black dates, one part floating wheat, and two parts Ma liao beans. Boil and drink. (Compilation of Mysterious Remedies)
  6. Treats postpartum stroke with locked jaw, staring eyes, and spasms: Roast black Liao beans to a charred state and add to a hot yellow wine before drinking. Follow with Huesheng pill. (Yao Xizhou's Experiential Prescription)
  7. Treats indigestion, stimulates appetite, supports spleen and kidneys: Roast one pound each of Ma liao beans and white tribulus (without spikes), grind, and make into honey pellets like Wutong seeds. Take 2-3 qian with warm water. (Mirror of Herbs Black and White Pills)
  8. Treats early-stage liver deficiency: Combine 7 qian of fresh or 5 qian dry wild beans with one chicken liver and cook together. Stewing is also effective. (Mirror of Herbs)
  9. Treats dark symptoms of hands and feet: Roast three parts of black Liao beans and stew with good wine, serve hot, and add scallion for enhanced effect. (Year Xi Yao's Verified Prescription)
  10. Neutralizes toxin from Fuzi, Chuanwu, Tiannanxing, and Cantharides: Drink decocted Ma liao bean juice. (Wang Dinggui's Therapeutic Compendium)

Visit PubMed for more scientific insights

Consult the Huangdi Neijing for traditional references

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Engagement Test

3-second self-test: If you ever feel your back aching, touch your lower back and note any discomfort.

30-second self-care: Immediately, practice deep breathing exercises and gently stretch to invigorate energy flow.

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before use.