Raw Scarlet Runner Beans Edible?

Today I think I made myself very sick for a few hours. I was out in the garden this morning and I ate about 10 scarlet runner beans raw. That was all I had eaten. By noon I was feeling very naseous and was violently ill for about 3 hours and then now I am feeling better. When I looked on line it said that they contain some toxin until cooked. Is this true or do you think this was coincidence. I have never eaten them before, just had them for the humming birds, but I know people do eat them.

Anyone else ever had this happen?

So sorry to hear about that grik, and would be interested to know as well. I planted some this year and saw my first hummingbirds yesterday. Dont see any sign of beans after the flowers drop off..any ideas?

Are you getting good pollination? I know the bee numbers are down in some areas. Maybe give it a few days.

They've been blooming lots and lots for about 1 month so far, and have seen bees here, although not to many. I think maybe it was too hot here recently, as we had temps in the high 80's for over a month, with no rain either...just hot and sunny everyday. Ive been watering everything regularly and Ive read that they dont like the heat to much, so maybe thats what the problem is.

Are you feeling better now?

yes, thanks. It only lasted about 4 hours or so, but really a miserable 4 hours. I love the bean plants too. I hope you get lots of bees, hummers and beans.

Gosh, just after I sent you this message, I went out on my deck, as I do container gardening.... and sat for about an hour or so...I prayed and asked God to send more bees...and all of a sudden..within 5 minutes...had lotsa bees and hummingbirds....I was just thrilled!!!!

I tried to remain very still and quiet so I could observe all of them, but it got to the point where I had to go inside...too many bees all of a sudden. Im sure not complaining...just wanted to let them do there job, ya know.

There is power is prayer...I hope you believe as much as I do. Ive had so many REAL miracles happen to me. If your ever interested, just let me know okay.

Its sunny and hot here again today and I think Ill just enjoy the sun and relax..maybe have a b/que later..something simple tonite. My DH is away in the army, so its just me here right now.

Hope you have a great day!

Cheers

A HA ...seeing your post reminded me I need to check to see if these guys are climbing any better.

I have lots of blooms but no beans ... yet. I didn't know these were poisonous, tho. I recieved some pole beans in a seed trade and those were clearly marked not to eat.

Sydney, I do that at the Dr's office too; I have INRs at least monthly and when they can't seem to find the vein, and they're digging in my veins, I pray their hands will be guided and it almost always works.

Grik, I hope you feel better soon! Sydney, enjoy the day!

I don't know if they are toxic or not when raw, but my SRBs bloomed like crazy without any beans until the bees showed up. About two weeks ago I noticed the bumble bees attacking all the blooms and now I have all sorts of beans. I bet over half the blooms fell off without beans until the bees showed up. Its fascinating to watch them work.

I also have a ton of bees now, and the same thing happened to my SRB blooms. Most have fallen away but the bees are determined to do their work here.

nannniepb- glad to see that it works for you as well. I totally believe in the power of prayer, as its worked so many times for me.

Hope everyone enjoys there day

I ran across this thread in a search. Seems they should not be eaten raw according to this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runner_bean
but are edible cooked.
Sydney, yep prayer does work even when you get what you need and not what you asked for ; ) glad you have more bees now.

grik - I've eaten many pounds of Scarlet Runner Beans, but they were all cooked. This was the only bean we ever grew in our garden when I was growing up in England.

I sowed these beans in my NC garden three summers ago, and noticed during the summer months they would bloom, but not set beans - so then I read the seed packet (duh!) and it clearly said they prefer cooler temperatures. Once late summer/early fall rolled around they were covered in beans!

Yes, watching the hummers and bumble bees enjoying the bounty of the beautiful red flowers was a treat for my eyes.

I think here in America, most people grow these as "shelling beans" but back in England we picked them when they were small and ate them just like y'all do regular pole beans. You do need to pull the strings from along the edges - which is why we always called them "string beans!"

Several kinds of beans have enough toxin to make you sick if you eat them raw.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2385/

Thank you thank you thank you for this thread. I luv raw veggies and grew red runner beans for the first time this year. I fully intended to eat them raw (eek!)