Bay Bean - Canavalia maritima
Along the Gulf Coast of Mexico and the southern coast of South America, the leaves of Canavalia Maritima have been used for a long time; in 1913, the name was changed from Canavali to Canavalia. The plant is also known as Carnavalia Rosea. The dried leaves are used in ceremonies and rituals by certain tribes; L-Betonicine is the key active ingredient in the Canavalia Maritima plant.
Tropical plant
The Bay Bean is a trailing, herbaceous vine with stems exceeding 6 meters in length. Each compound leaf consists of three leaflets that fold up when exposed to hot sunlight. The buoyancy of the seeds allows them to be dispersed by ocean currents. This is why the bay bean is widely found in coastal regions along the Gulf of Mexico. As a pan-tropical plant, it can be found in tropical and subtropical coastal locations in many parts of the world.
There are many stories and legends surrounding the plant. For instance, the Mazatecs and other indigenous tribes considered it important and sacred to place it in graves. The dried leaves are used as an entheogen and are part of ancient rituals. In ancient Peru, the fruits and leaves had ritual and magical uses. In South America and along the Gulf Coast of Mexico, C. maritima beans are ingested or smoked.
Using Bay Bean
Traditionally, Bay Bean is consumed in South America and the Gulf Coast of Mexico as a tea made from the leaves. However, the leaves can also be smoked, either on their own or in herbal blends.
Additional Information
A healthy lifestyle is important, as is a varied, balanced diet, for which dietary supplements are not a substitute. Keep out of reach of young children. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Store in a cool, dry, and dark place. If you have medical conditions, are taking medication, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or a healthcare professional before use. Stop use immediately if you experience any adverse side effects from this product.
The health effects listed above have not yet been officially established.
