Mung beans can clear heat, reduce acne and detox the body
Mung beans are a very popular food in china and they are used in different recipes. Mung bean noodles, cake, porridge, soup and even wine were commonplace.
Mung bean sprouts can be found in many fried noodles.
1. The health benefits of mung beans
Li Shi Zhen (1518-1593), A chinese doctor and pharmacologist stated in his book Ben Cao Gang Mu that “mung beans are highly recommended not only as a rich source of nutrients but also as a medicine”.
Some of the herbal actions ascribed to mung beans were clearing of heat and toxins from the body, balance the organs and skin, and tonify Qi. Mung beans can also improve circulation throughout the twelve channels of the body.
i. Clear heat and prevent summer heat-stroke
In TCM the source of heat can be from external sources such as the sun or stove if one has to stand in front of it the whole day or from internal sources such as heaty food or yin deficiency.
Some of the physical symptoms from absoring much external heat may include : feeling hot and sweaty, red face, thirst, dry skin, constipation, lack of energy, headache and/or dizziness.
Mung beans have been shown to regulate body temperature and prevent heat stroke.
Cooked mung bean soup is best kept refrigerated which helps to preserve and increase its health effects. Drinking two or three cups a day of this soup will help to release the summer heat and rebalance the body’s yin and yang.
ii. Clear the skin and reduce acne
In traditional chinese medicine mung beans are considered as as sweet in taste and has a cooling nature. It can clear heat and toxins from the skin, and cool heat in the blood.
Acne , common skin rash, cold sores, mouth ulcers, pimples and boils will find that mung bean porridge is highly benefitial.
The phytoestrogens found in mung beans also contain anti-ageing properties that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin which benefit healthier skin.
iii. Clear toxins from the body
The proteins, tannins and flavonoids in mung beans are also considered effective for binding to and clearing pesticides and heavy metals like mercury and lead from the body.
2. Mung bean soup recipes
a) Mung bean soup recipe for summer heat and hot weather
This recipe is suitable to clear body heat and prevent heat stroke during a hot summer.
2 handfuls of mung beans 7 cups of water
Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes on low heat. Set the soup aside to cool (once cooled it can also be refrigerated).
Drink this thin soup as required. The beans can also be eaten if soft enough.
b) Mung bean soup recipe for skin conditions
This recipe can help to clear skin heat and reduce acne and other skin complaints as mentioned above.
2 handfuls of mung beans 4 cups of water
Bring to the boil for 3 minutes in a saucepan, then remove from heat and cover with a lid.
Allow the beans to soak in the boiled water for 30 minutes then strain and drink the thick liquid soup.
This process can be repeated once more using the same batch of mung beans.
It is recommended to drink one cup of this soup twice a day in conjunction with regular treatment.
Give yourself two days break from the soup after every five days.
3. Mung Bean Porridge
You can also make a mung bean porridge to take consume either at breakfast or during tea breaks. For this you need to wash and soak the mung bean over night. 175 g dry mung beans will give you about 4 or 5 portions. Drained the water and put it to a pot with 550 ml of water and bring it to a boil and then simmer until thickened into a porridge consistency. Add salt or sugar/ honey to taste. Don’t forget to stir every 10 minutes or so to prevent it being burned.
4. Precautions and diet advice
Due to the cooling nature of mung beans there are not suitable for people who have a cold body constitution. If you have diarrhoea or often experience cold symptoms such as cold hands and feet please do not take mung bean soup.
If you are unsure or if your symptoms persist, please consult with your physician.