Edible Parts: Leaves  Oil  Oil  Seed  Seedpod
Edible Uses: Coffee  Milk  Oil  Oil

Mature seed - cooked[2, 33]. The seeds furnish one of the world's most important sources of oil and protein, they can be eaten as they are in soups, stews etc[183, 269], though they are also very commonly used in the preparation of various meat substitutes[34, 46]. The dried seed can be ground into a flour and added to cereal flours or used for making noodles etc[183]. The Japanese make a powder from the roasted and ground seed, it is called 'Kinako' and has a nutty flavour and fragrance - it is used in many popular confections[183]. The sprouted seed is eaten raw or added to cooked dishes. The toasted seeds can be eaten as a peanut-like snack[183]. The seed is also made into numerous fermented foods such as miso and tempeh[183] and is also used to make soya milk, a valuable protein supplement in infant feeding which also provides curds and cheese[269]. The seed contains 20% oil and 30 - 45% protein[100]. All seeds on a soybean plant mature at essentially the same time. Maturity of the seed is accompanied by a rapid dropping of the leaves and drying of the stems[269]. Average yield of beans is about 1700 kg/ha[269]. High-yielding cvs, adapted to the locality and grown under proper culture and favourable conditions will yield more than twice the average yield[269]. The immature seed is cooked and used like peas or eaten raw in salads[105, 183]. The strongly roasted and ground seeds are used as a coffee substitute[183]. The young seedpods are cooked and used like French beans[116, 183]. An edible semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[269]. It is cooked or can be used as a dressing in salads etc and for manufacture of margarine and shortening[34, 183, 269]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[179, 183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidote  Astringent  Diaphoretic  Laxative  Ophthalmic  Resolvent  Stomachic

The fermented seed is weakly diaphoretic and stomachic[176]. It is used in the treatment of colds, fevers and headaches, insomnia, irritability and a stuffy sensation in the chest[176]. The bruised leaves are applied to snakebite[218]. The flowers are used in the treatment of blindness and opacity of the cornea[218]. The ashes of the stems are applied to granular haemorrhoids or fungus growths on the anus[218]. The immature seedpods are chewed to a pulp and applied to corneal and smallpox ulcers[218]. The seed is antidote[218]. It is considered to be specific for the healthy functioning of bowels, heart, kidney, liver and stomach[218, 269]. The seed sprouts are constructive, laxative and resolvent[218]. They show an oestrogen-like activity in the body and are also antispasmodic[279].The sprous are used in the treatment of oedema, dysuria, chest fullness, decreased perspiration, the initial stages of flu and arthralgia[176]. A decoction of the bark or root is astringent[240, 269]. Soybean diets are valued for treating acidosis[269]. Since soybean oil has a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acid, it is recommended, like safflower, poppy seed, etc. to combat hypercholesteremia[269]. Commercial grades of natural lecithin, which are often derived from soybean, are reported to contain a potent vasopressor. Medicinally lecithin is indicated as a lipotropic agent[269]. Soybean is listed as a major starting material for stigmasterol, once known as an antistiffness factor. Sitosterol, also a soy by-product, has been used to replace diosgenin in some antihypertensive drugs[269].

Biomass  Green manure  Oil  Oil  Paper

The seed contains up to 20% of an edible semi-drying oil[171, 269]. It is non-drying according to another report[57]. This oil has a very wide range of applications and is commonly used in the chemical industry[171, 206]. The oil is used industrially in the manufacture of paints, linoleum, oilcloth, printing inks, soap, insecticides, and disinfectants[34, 46, 100, 269]. Lecithin phospholipids, obtained as a by-product of the oil industry, are used as a wetting and stabilizing agent in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, leather, paint, plastic, soap, and detergent industries[269]. Both the meal and the soy bean protein are used in the manufacture of synthetic fibre, adhesives, textile sizing, waterproofing, fire-fighting foam and many other uses[269]. The plant is sometimes grown as a green manure[269]. The straw can be used to make paper, stiffer than that made from wheat straw[269]. The plant is an excellent source of biomass. The oil from the seeds can be used as a diesel fuel whilst the stems can be burnt as a fuel[269].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer