Properties:

a) medicinal:

Diuretic: In those case where water retention appears flowers can be used ( Decoction of 10 gr. of dry flowers in 1/4 of litter of water. Drink as much as one wishes ) of the fresh pods ( the proportion of plant for the same quantity of water doubles the one seen above. Drink as much as it is desired)

Depurative and anti-rheumatic : The same previous decoctions are good for "washing" the kidneys and purify blood, containing to much uric acid.

Cholesterol: Broad beans consuming helps the body to remove fat from the arteries, keeping the cholesterol in low levels.

Felons and furuncles : Baths with the decoction of leaves till the water gets cold.

b ) as edible food:

Broad beans are more known as edible food than because of their medicinal properties. They are mainly rich in calories and proteins. They must be eaten while they are tender because they are more digestible. Before eating dry broad beans, they must be left to soak for a day and cook them well afterwards in order them not to be indigestive. ( They should not be eaten at night because, being difficult to digest, they may cause nightmares- It was thought in the Middle Ages that the souls of the dead lived inside this legume which did not allow people to sleep ) Being tender, they can be eaten raw.

Their main nutritional values are the following:

Per 100 gr.

Favism: It is and intoxication caused in some people who are allergic to this food. Some people get ill simply by inhaling pollen.

Picking up and storing : Spring is the best season to collect the flowers. Keep them in a dry well- closed receptacle.