Botanical Index No. 401

Faba Bean

vicia faba

Medicinal Actions

Antialcoholic, Antiangiogenic, Antiparkinsonian, Cyanogenic, Dopaminergic, Diuretic, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Hemolytic, Hypertensive, Natriuretic, Stomachic, Tonic

Primary Conditions Treated

Aphrodisiac Adenopathy Alcoholism Bronchosis Burn Callus Cancer breast eyelid foot gland liver penis spleen stomach testes Corn Cough Dermatosis Drunkenness Encephalosis Fungus Gastrosis Hepatosis Impotence Induration Leukemia Low Blood Pressure Mastosis Melanoma Mycosis Nephrosis Ophthalmia Orchosis Osteoporosis Parkinson’s Disease Pneumonia Pulmonosis Sclerosis Splenosis Stomatosis Swelling Tumor Urogenitosis Wart Water Retention Wen Hosis

General Dosage

I once calculated that it would take a pound of faba beans, or a couple ounces of sprouts, to give a physiological dose of L-dopa. The sprouts are also better sources of daidzein and genistein. L-dopa LD50 = 609 ppm; LD50 = 3650 ppm; LD50 = 4000 ppm.

Safety & Contraindications

Not covered by AHP or Commission E. Inhaling pollen or ingesting seeds may, occasionally, cause favism, an especially severe hemolytic anemia, an inherited enzymatic deficiency among Mediterranean people. Injected intravenously in rabbits, broadbean extracts have produced hemoglobinuria and death. Overdosage, especially in genetically susceptible individuals, can rapidly lead to diarrhea, queasiness, vertigo, and vomiting. In more severe cases: anuria, fever, hemoglobinuria, icterus, and/or oliguria. Following ingestion and digestion, pyrimidine derivatives in high doses can cause hemolysis. L-dopa may cause a rise in blood pressure. L-dopa is contraindicated if you have heart, liver, lung, kidney, or thyroid problems; glaucoma; or are taking vitamin B6, antidepressants, and antipsychotic drugs. L-dopa may activate malignant melanomas, which, however, can be checked by 100 mg/day coumarin, found in the tonka bean.

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