KIDNEY BEAN / Phaseolus vulgaris

In Italy, beans are distributed among the poor on the anniversary of a death (Grieve. 1931). In the west of England they say that kidney beans will not grow unless they are planted on a special day, the 3 May in some places (Waring), but there is no great agreement on the actual day. It could be as late as Stow-on-the-wold Fair Day, which is 12 May, or as early as St George’s Day, (23 April) (Pope). Kidney Beans are good for the kidneys, so it is often said, but this is a well-known remedy. They have been used in France till very recently for kidney and bladder disorders (Palaiseul). Maya medical texts prescribe them for, among other complaints, hiccups (Roys).