Introduction: What to do about dampness in the body? Relying on cupping all the time isn't a viable solution. In fact, dietary remedies for removing dampness are also very effective. Now, let me introduce you to a dietary dish that is not only simple and easy to cook but also has a great effect of removing dampness. This dish is the red bean and barley congee. Let's learn more about it!
Barley, known as "Yi Yi Ren" in traditional Chinese medicine, is listed as a superior-grade herb in the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing." It can treat dampness bi-syndrome, benefit the intestines, reduce edema, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and with long-term use, make the body light and replenish qi. Red beans, known as "Chi Xiao Dou" in traditional Chinese medicine, also have significant effects of promoting urination, reducing swelling, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. Because they are red, and red corresponds to the heart in the five-element theory, they can also nourish the heart.
Modern people often experience high levels of mental stress, deficient heart qi, irregular diet, and lack of exercise, leading to a deficient spleen and excessive dampness. To remove dampness, nourish the heart, and strengthen the spleen and stomach, nothing is better than barley and red beans. Cooking them into a congee aims to allow their active ingredients to be fully absorbed by the body without causing any burden on the spleen and stomach. Moreover, red beans are essential for treating edema. Practice has proven that red bean and barley congee has a good weight-loss effect; it can help with weight loss without harming the body, especially for middle-aged and elderly obese individuals.
Adding different medicinal herbs to the red bean and barley congee can often produce unexpected effects.
1. For those who often overthink, strain their minds excessively, and have little exercise, they often have a pale complexion, lack of energy, and may even experience palpitations, drowsiness, a feeling of heaviness in the head, and a sense of emptiness in the chest. This is a sign of internal dampness combined with insufficient heart qi. You can add some longan to cook with the red bean and barley 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 also invigorate heart yang and warm heart qi, making a person feel energetic and full of vital energy. It is especially suitable for those with intense mental work and also for middle-aged and elderly people.
2. Young people are prone to irritability, insomnia, or red rashes and acne on the face. These are caused by excessive heart fire and internal damp-heat disturbance. You can add lily or lotus seeds to cook with the red bean and barley congee, or add both. Lily can moisten the lungs, improve complexion, clear heart fire, and calm the mind. Lotus seeds are best for nourishing the heart and clearing heart fire, while also strengthening the spleen and kidneys. However, lotus seeds have a slightly astringent effect. People who are relatively thin can use them, but those who are overweight with a lot of internal stagnation might not be suitable. When using lotus seeds, the core should be removed. Of course, if you find the congee bland, you can also 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 from exposure to cold, or have internal cold, stomach pain from cold, and poor appetite, you can add a few slices of ginger to the red bean and barley congee. Ginger is warm in nature and can warm the middle jiao to expel cold, strengthen the spleen, and harmonize the stomach. Note that ginger should not be added in large amounts, 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 red bean and barley congee to cook together. This can moisten the lungs, resolve phlegm, and quench thirst.
5. You can also add yam and pumpkin to the red bean and barley 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 it also has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, insecticidal, and detoxifying effects. It is very good for protecting the pancreas and preventing diabetes.