Biǎn Dòu (扁豆), known in English as Hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab), is a neutral, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify qi category. It enters the Spleen and Stomach channels. Its main action: tonifies Spleen, transforms Damp.
| Pinyin | Biǎn Dòu (Bian Dou) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 扁豆 |
| English | Hyacinth bean |
| Botanical name | Dolichos lablab |
| Category | Tonify qi |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Cold-Damp without Spleen deficiency |
Actions
- Tonifies Spleen, transforms Damp
- Clears summer Heat and Damp
- Resolves alcohol toxicity
Indications
- Spleen deficiency with Damp diarrhoea
- Summer Heat-Damp with nausea
- Alcohol vomiting
How to remember Biǎn Dòu
Tonify qi herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Spleen, Lung and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Stomach channel: like most Tonify qi herbs
- Spleen channel: from its action “Tonifies Spleen”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Tonify qi herbs vary in nature
Formulas containing Biǎn Dòu
Other Tonify qi herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Biǎn Dòu?
Biǎn Dòu is neutral and sweet.
Which channels does Biǎn Dòu enter?
Biǎn Dòu enters the Spleen and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Biǎn Dòu?
Tonifies Spleen, transforms Damp; Clears summer Heat and Damp; Resolves alcohol toxicity.
What is Biǎn Dòu used for?
Spleen deficiency with Damp diarrhoea; summer Heat-Damp with nausea; alcohol vomiting.
Which formulas contain Biǎn Dòu?
Shā Shēn Mài Dōng Tāng and Xiāng Rú Sǎn.
Practise Biǎn Dòu and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.