What to do about dampness in the body? Relying solely on cupping isn't a sustainable solution. In fact, dietary remedies can be very effective for removing dampness. Let me introduce you to a simple and easy-to-prepare dish with excellent dampness-removing effects: Adzuki Bean and Coix Seed Congee. Let's learn more about it!
Adzuki Bean and Coix Seed Congee
Coix seed, known as "Yi Yi Ren" in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is listed as a superior herb in the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing". It can treat dampness bi-syndrome, benefit the intestines, reduce edema, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. Long-term use is said to make the body light and replenish Qi. Adzuki bean, known as "Chi Xiao Dou" in TCM, also has significant effects of promoting urination, reducing swelling, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. Because it is red, and red corresponds to the heart in TCM, it can also nourish the heart. Modern people often experience high mental stress, deficient heart Qi, irregular diets, and lack of exercise, leading to a weak spleen and excessive dampness. To remove dampness, nourish the heart, and strengthen the spleen and stomach, nothing is better than coix seed and adzuki beans. Cooking them into a congee allows their active ingredients to be fully absorbed by the body without burdening the spleen and stomach. Furthermore, adzuki beans are essential for treating edema, and practice has shown that adzuki bean and coix seed congee has good weight-loss effects. It helps with weight loss without harming the body, especially for middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Adding different medicinal herbs to the adzuki bean and coix seed congee can often produce unexpected results.
1. For those who overthink, strain their minds excessively, and get little exercise, they often have a pale complexion, low energy, and may even experience palpitations, drowsiness, a feeling of heaviness in the head, and a sense of emptiness. This is a sign of internal dampness combined with insufficient heart Qi. You can add some longan to cook with the congee. Longan is sweet and warm in nature, it can stimulate the appetite, strengthen the spleen, calm the mind, and nourish the blood. It can boost heart Yang, warm and replenish heart Qi, making one feel energetic and full of vitality. It is especially suitable for people with intense mental work and also for the middle-aged and elderly.
2. Young people often experience irritability, insomnia, or red rashes and acne on the face. This is caused by excessive heart fire and internal damp-heat disturbance. You can add lily or lotus seed to the congee, or both. Lily can moisten the lungs, improve complexion, clear heart fire, and calm the mind. Lotus seed is best for nourishing the heart and clearing heart fire, while also strengthening the spleen and kidneys. However, lotus seed has a slightly astringent effect. People who are relatively thin can use it, but those who are overweight with significant internal stagnation may not find it suitable. When using lotus seed, you must remove the core in the center. Of course, if you find the congee bland, you can add rock sugar. Among all types of sugar, only rock sugar is cool in nature and can clear heart fire.
3. If you catch a cold, feel a chill in your body, have a stomach ache due to cold, or have a poor appetite, you can add a few slices of ginger to the congee. Ginger is warm in nature and can warm the middle Jiao to expel cold, strengthen the spleen, and harmonize the stomach. Note, do not add too much ginger, as it will make the congee too spicy. If you want to add a seasoning to this congee, the only option is brown sugar, which is also warm in nature.
4. If you have a cough, you can also peel and core a raw pear, cut it into 1-2 cm cubes, and add it to the congee to cook together. This can moisten the lungs, transform phlegm, and relieve thirst.
5. You can also add yam and pumpkin to the adzuki bean and coix seed congee. Yam is a supreme remedy for strengthening the spleen and stomach, and it can also strengthen the kidneys, secure essence, moisten the lungs, and replenish Qi. Pumpkin can tonify the middle Jiao and Qi, and also has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, insecticidal, and detoxifying effects. It is very good for protecting the pancreas and preventing diabetes.
red bean glutinous rice porridge