Harimantha (Harimantha (Chanaka, Sakalapriya))
Harimantha, known scientifically as Vigna radiata or mung bean, is a legume traditionally used in Ayurveda. Modern research explores its potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.
Botanical name: Vigna radiata. Also known as: Mung Bean, Green Gram, Golden Gram, मूंग (mūṅg), Mudga (मुद्ग), Ambérique Bean, Fagiolo Mungo, Frijol Mungo, Haricot Doré, Mungbohne, Mungböna.
Properties
Antioxidant activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Glucose regulation, Neuroprotection, Antiviral activity
Dosage
There is no established standard dosage for Harimantha (Mung Bean) as a medicinal herb. One study used an ethanol extract of mung bean testa (MBT) at a dose of 1 g/kg in mice. Another study used methanol extract of V. radiata seeds at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg orally in mice. It's important to note that these dosages are from animal studies and may not be directly applicable to humans. In general, when used as food, mature seeds are cooked or sprouted.
Classical attributes
- Rasa: Sweet
- Virya: ["Cooling"]
- Vipaka: ["Sweet"]
Benefits
- Nourishing
- Aphrodisiac
- Strengthening
Traditional uses
- Weakness
- Thirst
- Fatigue
- Unmantha (mental disorders)
Dosha effects
- vata: balancing
- kapha: increasing
- pitta: balancing
Preparation methods
- Cooking: Mature seeds can be boiled and used in various dishes like soups, stews, or fermented dishes like idli.
- Sprouting: Seeds are often sprouted and used in salads or cooked.
- Powder: Seeds can be ground into powder for use in noodles, biscuits, or bread.
- Mung Bean Vinegar: Mung bean can be pulverized, boiled with water and α-amylase, saccharified, and fermented to produce vinegar.
- Traditional medicine: Seeds are used in traditional medicine for treating paralysis, rheumatism, coughs, fevers, and liver ailments.
- Other: It can be split, fried, and eaten as a snack.
Contraindications
- Mung bean may increase Vata.
- Ayurveda does not traditionally recommend sprouted grains.
Side effects
- Mung beans are generally considered safe for consumption as food.
- No significant changes were observed in body weight in mice given high doses of mung bean sprouts or seed coat.
Interactions
- Mung bean can be intercropped with other plants to improve yield and nutrient acquisition. For example, intercropping millet and mung bean can increase the yield of both crops.
- Mungbeans are not a perfect protein source and should be consumed with other sources of protein containing sulphur-containing amino acids, such as cereals, rice, and sesame.
- Nutrient management practices, such as the application of fertilizers (NPK), sulfur (S), and cobalt (Co) along with Rhizobium inoculant (RI), can significantly improve the growth, yield, and nutrient uptake of mung bean.
Clinical evidence
Animal and in vitro studies suggest potential therapeutic benefits of Vigna radiata in managing diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and influenza. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects in humans.
Ayurvedic karmas
- Nourishing
- Aphrodisiac
- Strengthening
Classical clinical indications
- Weakness
- Thirst
- Fatigue
- Unmantha (mental disorders)