Disclaimer: All Chinese herbal teas, Chinese herbal soup, herbal decoctions, TCM dietary therapies, acupuncture, and Tui Na massage featured in this article serve solely as auxiliary wellness support. They fall under the category of dietary and traditional wellness practices rather than formal medical treatment, and cannot substitute for professional medical diagnosis, prescription medication, or clinical therapy. If you have received a diagnosis of colds, coughs, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, or any other physical ailment, you must adhere to treatment plans from licensed medical practitioners. Pregnant, breastfeeding, medication-taking or chronically unwell individuals are required to consult a qualified healthcare provider prior to use.
TCM Culture Disclaimer：Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) boasts a development history spanning thousands of years in China. Over 2,000 years ago, during the Warring States to Qin and Han dynasties, Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic) was compiled, establishing a comprehensive traditional theoretical framework for TCM. All TCM terminology, traditional wellness concepts for balancing bodily functions and historical health philosophies mentioned in this article are presented solely for the inheritance, popularization and cultural exchange of traditional Chinese medicine culture. This content shall not be regarded as clinical diagnosis or medical treatment guidance of any kind. Read more
Botanical Name: Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.
Common Names: Sword jackbean, Sabre bean
Family & Genus: Fabaceae, Canavalia. It is a twining herbaceous plant.
Morphological Characteristics
The vine can grow several meters long. It bears pinnately compound leaves with ovate leaflets that have broadly cuneate bases; lateral leaflets are oblique. Petioles are generally shorter than leaf blades, and petiolules are hairy.
Racemes have long peduncles, with several flowers growing on the upper part of the rachis. Flower stalks are extremely short; ovate bracteoles fall off early. The corolla is white or pink. The standard petal is broadly elliptic with a notched apex. The linear ovary is covered with hairs.
Pods are band-shaped and slightly curved. Seeds are elliptic or oblong-elliptic with red or brown seed coats. The hilum accounts for about three-quarters of the seed circumference. Flowering occurs from July to September, and fruiting from October.
Growth & Distribution
It is widely cultivated across provinces south of the Yangtze River in China, and also distributed throughout tropical, subtropical regions and Africa.
This plant loves warmth and high temperature, and requires abundant sunlight. Insufficient light will hinder flowering and pod formation. It adapts to various soil types, and grows best in loose, well-drained sandy loam.
Edibility & Precautions
Young pods and seeds are edible, but they must first be fully boiled in salt water, then re-boiled in fresh water before consumption. It can also be used as green manure, ground cover and livestock feed.
Toxicity Warning: Raw or undercooked sword beans may cause poisoning. Symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dizziness usually appear about 3 hours after ingestion.
Medicinal Parts
Dried ripe seeds, pods and roots of Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism
Sweet in flavor, warm in nature. It acts on the Stomach and Kidney meridians.
Functions & Indications
Warms the middle energizer and descends adverse qi, tonifies the kidney and replenishes primordial qi, and relieves hiccups.
Pharmacological Research
Possesses antioxidant properties.
TCM Terminology Disclaimer:All traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms, descriptions, and wellness expressions including but not limited to nourishing lungs, soothing throat discomfort, supporting respiratory comfort, clearing mild internal heat, balancing qi and blood, harmonizing bodily functions, and regulating general wellness featured on this website are traditional TCM cultural descriptions and historical wellness theories only. These phrases are used solely for traditional TCM knowledge sharing and cultural interpretation. They do not constitute medical efficacy claims, have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All TCM wording describes traditional auxiliary wellness conditioning effects only and should never be interpreted as clinical medical treatment results. Individuals with confirmed illnesses must seek professional medical diagnosis and follow standard Western medical treatment.
FDA Mandatory Disclaimer：These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Chinese herbal dietary supplements and traditional wellness practices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and serve only as daily auxiliary health support. If you have been diagnosed with any illness, please seek professional medical care and follow standard Western medical treatment regimens.