Dao Dou
Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.
☯ TCM Properties
Warms the Middle Burner; Descends Qi; Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Hiccup; Tonifies Kidney Yang; Protects the Stomach
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Canavalia gladiata, the sword bean or Dao Dou, is a vigorous, twining, herbaceous to slightly woody perennial legume in the Fabaceae, often cultivated as an annual. The stems climb 3 to 10 meters by means of long, smooth, twining shoots. Leaves are alternate and pinnately trifoliate, with broadly ovate to elliptic leaflets 8 to 20 cm long, glabrous or with sparse hairs, and acuminate at the tip. Flowers are borne in axillary, long-peduncled racemes of large, papilionaceous, pink to purplish or white flowers about 3 to 4 cm long. The pod is the most distinctive feature: very large, flattened, slightly curved and sword-shaped, 15 to 35 cm long and 3 to 5 cm wide, with a prominent longitudinal ridge along the upper suture and a leathery, green to pale-yellow wall. Each pod contains 8 to 16 large, oblong, smooth seeds with a long, conspicuous hilum, varying from white through pink to deep red. Native to tropical Asia, it is widely cultivated for food and medicine.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Dao Dou (jack bean, canavalia seed) is a warm herb used in Chinese medicine to warm the middle burner and descend rebellious Qi, addressing hiccup and belching from Stomach cold or Kidney Yang deficiency failing to hold Qi in its proper place. It also tonifies Kidney Yang for lower back and knee weakness and kidney-related fatigue. Its combined Qi-descending and Kidney-warming action makes it specifically useful where hiccup or belching arises from cold deficiency of the lower burner rather than from excess heat.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.