1. Description:
Cowpea (scientific name: Vigna unguiculata (Linn.) Walp, Chinese Pinyin: Jiang Dou, Simplified Chinese: 豇豆), is a species of annual, flowering, herbaceous plant in genus Vigna (bean family, Fabaceae). Originated in India and Myanmar, and widely cultivated in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions across the world, the plant can grow up to 5 m long. Characteristics of cowpea include tolerance for sandy soil and low rainfall. The seeds of cowpea are used as stomachic, spleen tonic, heat-clearing drug, detoxicant and discutient (reducing swelling) in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as frequent urination and impotence.
Other names for the cowpea include Bachapin Bean, Southern Pea Black Eyed Cowpea, Black Eyed Dolichos, Poona Pea Black-Eyed Pea, Rope Bean Black-Eyed Bean, Red Pea China Bean, Marble Pea, Common Cowpea, Macassar Bean, Cowgram, Cowpea, Kafir Bean, Cultivated African Cowpea, Crowder Bean, Field Pea and Crowder Pea.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The seeds of cowpea are considered to have sweet, brackish, neutral and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the spleen and kidney meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Cowpea & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Blood Sugar
Cowpea contains dietary phospholipids which promotes insulin secretion and improves glucose metabolism. Another key compound found in cowpea, niacin, is a very important vitamin for people with diabetes because of its ability to regulate blood sugar.
3.2 Prevent Cancer And Heart Attack
Cowpea is rich in manganese which is a type of antioxidant with effect of preventing cancer and heart attack, it is especially important and necessary for women at the time of menopause in term of slowing the loss of calcium and preventing osteoporosis.
Cowpea is also rich in the dietary fiber which can reduce cholesterol, reduce the chance of getting diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Regular intake of cowpea can promote bowel movements, prevent constipation and reduce the chance of getting colon cancer and rectal cancer.
3.3 Improve Kidney Function, Promote Vitality And Sexual Energy
Traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) believes that cowpea can aid digestion and nourish the kidney and spleen, and treat kidney deficiency related frequent urination and nocturnal emission.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.