Hyacinth Herbalism.

The hyacinth is a favored vine in many gardens thanks to its luscious growth and vibrant purple flowers. It also happens to be a component in herbalist kitchens where it's believed that the hyacinth seeds (often referred to as the beans) contain certain medicinal qualities.

Known as a true spring blossom, the hyacinth achieves full bloom during the spring months. However, it isn't until late autumn that the seeds are considered mature enough for use. Their appearance will be dry and shriveled at this point.

The beans can also be bought in-store and are known by other names such as bai bian dou, lablab purpureus, Indian beans, calavance, and Egyptian beans. If you can't find them in your local herbalist store, you may find them in the world foods aisle in supermarkets.

The Benefits of Hyacinth

It's easy to incorporate hyacinth in your home herbalism kit as it can easily be incorporated as a flowering plant in most gardens. This allows you to have a supply of the plant including the stems, leaves, beans or seeds, and roots. All of these components are used for various treatments.

The benefits of hyacinth can be placed in three main categories, health, hair, and skin treatments.

Health

Before embarking on a holistic hyacinth treatment plan, it's important to note that proper preparation and dosage are important to prevent adverse reactions.

Digestion and Cleansing

When appropriately prepared, hyacinth beans can aid digestion. In Indian cuisine, the beans are added to local cuisine to enhance the flavor and aid digestion. In Chinese culture, these beans are useful in promoting a healthy appetite.

It's believed that active ingredients in the bean clean out toxins from the body and promotes spleen health. It's also used to treat those with alcohol and food poisoning and to treat those who've contracted cholera due to its cleansing ability.

Obesity

Good digestion and gut health also play a role in managing obesity and possibly assisting in getting to a healthy body mass index (BMI). For instance, toxins in the body can lead to disrupted hormone levels, which may promote unhealthy weight gain.

Energizer

Hyacinth is often included in a diet to boost energy levels, especially for those who feel lethargic and fatigued.

Cholera Treatment

In the absence of medically approved cholera treatments, some cultures have been known to treat the effects of cholera with hyacinth. It's important to note that hyacinth is used to treat nausea and vomiting, which are merely symptoms. It doesn't kill the bacteria that causes cholera and for that, other treatments may be required.

Soothes a Sore Throat

Like honey and lemon, hyacinth is known to put its anti-inflammatory qualities to good use when it comes to a sore throat. The juice that's extracted from the beans is often used to treat inflamed nose, ears, and throat.

May Aid in the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs)

Infusions and extracts of the hyacinth are a natural way of treating the effects of STIs. While it's still important to seek professional medical attention, the application of the infusions might provide some relief.

Skin

Before the widespread use of hyacinth on the skin, it's important to test a small part of the skin first to ensure no allergic or adverse reactions to topical treatments.

Hyacinth is a popular option for overall skin health as it's antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal. Some of the hyacinth skin treatments include:

Anti-Inflammatory

In some cultures, a mixture of lemon and hyacinth is used as a topical anti-inflammatory treatment.

Eczema

Eczema can be a difficult condition to treat and in some cases, hyacinth provides some relief from the discomfort caused by the skin condition. It's often mixed with other natural products such as root powders to create a paste, which is applied to the affected area.

Hair

While hyacinth doesn't promote hair health, it's often included in herbal hair treatments such as shampoos and conditioners thanks to its delightful fragrance. The fragrance is derived from the leaves and flowers.

Important Things to Know About Hyacinth

There are more than twenty types of hyacinth, most of which are used in landscaping thanks to their stunning foliage. It's worth knowing that the hyacinth plant can be toxic and can cause an allergic reaction, so proceed with caution.

Speak to Your Doctor

Before embarking on any hyacinth herbalism treatment, it's important to consult your physician. Some of the points to consider during your appointment include the toxicity levels of hyacinth plants, possible interactions with other medications, and safe dosage amounts.

Contraindications of Hyacinth Use

Some of the components of the hyacinth plant can be toxic, such as calcium oxalate crystals and oxalic acid. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, convulsions, and even death. Topical applications can result in rashes and blistering.