What are the benefits of winged bean seeds?

The winged bean plant has many uses; its leaves can be eaten like spinach, its flowers can be mixed into salads, and its seeds are used similarly to soybeans. So, what are the benefits of winged bean seeds? You might be surprised to learn that winged bean seeds have many health benefits!

Overview of the winged bean plant

Winged bean, also known as star bean, square bean, or winged bean, has the scientific name Psophocarpus tetragonolobus and belongs to the Leguminosae family. It is commonly grown for its pods, which are eaten like other green vegetables, and the seeds are harvested only when the pods mature. Winged bean plants are widely cultivated in Southeast Asian countries such as India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

In Vietnam, winged beans are widely grown in the southern provinces. The plant grows like a climbing vine, reaching an average height of 3-4 meters and is perennial. The fruit is a bean-like pod with a fringe forming four wavy edges, containing many seeds. Nowadays, many varieties with yellow, white, brown, or black seeds have been hybridized.

Most parts of the plant are edible and delicious; the tubers, young leaves, and flowers are used in salads or mixed vegetable dishes. Winged beans are a staple in many Filipino daily meals, considered a highly nutritious food and referred to as "Sigarilyas."

What are the benefits of winged bean seeds?

Dried winged bean seeds, like regular soybeans, are often pressed and processed into vegetable oil, or ground into powder to be used as a protein supplement to prevent malnutrition.

The dried and roasted beans are processed into a delicious beverage with a flavor similar to coffee.

According to experts, the seeds and fruits of the kale plant contain different components but both have the effect of protecting the stomach lining, preventing stomach bleeding, and combating stomach ulcers; they are also very good for the intestines and digestive system.

Exchange with Health & Life NewspaperAccording to Dr. Phuong Tuan Dat from the Internal Medicine Department of the Central Acupuncture Hospital, in the treatment of stomach diseases, the seeds of the starfruit tree are often used more frequently because their composition includes fiber, protein, and carbohydrates, which help increase mucus to protect the stomach lining and gradually improve the condition of the disease.

A remedy for stomach ailments using winged bean seeds.

Traditional remedies for stomach ailments using winged bean (or long bean) seeds are simple, can be easily prepared at home, and are especially inexpensive. Most remedies use mature, hard winged bean seeds, and the advice is that the older the seeds, the better. The seeds can be used in powder form for consumption or chewed whole.

Here are some popular remedies for stomach ailments using starfruit seeds:

Roasted starfruit seeds:

- Ingredients: Mature winged bean seeds.

- Instructions: Roast until golden brown, then let cool.

- How to use: Chew the roasted starfruit seeds until finely ground, then swallow with a little water. Use daily, 2-3 times a day, a few seeds each time, ideally about 30 minutes before meals.

Starfruit seed powder combined with salt:

- Ingredients: Mature winged beans, salt.

- Instructions: Roast the mixture until golden brown with a little salt, let it cool, then grind it into a fine powder and store it in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place for later use.

- How to use: Every day, take a small amount (1 teaspoon) of the roasted and salted mung bean powder mixture, chew and swallow, or mix it with a little warm water to drink. Use regularly, without interruption, every morning before meals. The symptoms will gradually subside and you will achieve the desired treatment results.

Although the seeds of the starfruit tree have been used effectively in folk medicine and have proven beneficial in treating stomach pain, patients should still exercise caution when using them.

For the use of mung bean seeds in traditional medicine, they must be thoroughly cooked to remove proteins that interact with digestive enzymes, thus avoiding bloating caused by undercooked seeds, which can worsen stomach pain.

During treatment, if you experience any unusual symptoms, stop taking the medication immediately and consult a doctor if necessary. Importantly, the effects of these remedies are not as immediate as with Western medicine; therefore, patients need to be extremely patient to achieve good treatment results.

With the information above, you probably already have the answer to the question "What are the benefits of winged bean seeds?"