Cogongrass Root and Adzuki Bean Congee

Why people make this congee

Women, in particular, are often more susceptible to water retention than men — hormonal fluctuations, postpartum changes, and constitutional factors can all play a role. In traditional Chinese medicine thinking, two main patterns are often at work: a weakened spleen and stomach that cannot properly move fluids through the body, or a weakened kidney qi that cannot transform and circulate water. Adzuki beans have long been celebrated as a food-therapy ingredient for water retention — they are gentle, tasty, and easy to incorporate into daily eating. Cogongrass root (mao gen) adds a natural diuretic quality, helping the body move excess fluid and supporting urinary clarity. Together with brown rice, this congee is a simple, nourishing way to address puffiness associated with kidney or functional fluid retention, scanty or dark urine, or vaginal discharge caused by damp-heat.

Method

1. Rinse the cogongrass root thoroughly.
2. Place the cogongrass root in a pot with sufficient water and simmer for 20–30 minutes to extract the liquid. Strain and discard the solids, keeping the liquid.
3. Add the soaked adzuki beans and brown rice to the cogongrass liquid, along with additional water as needed to ensure there is enough to make a congee.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for about 40–50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans and rice are tender and the congee is creamy.
5. Serve warm in portions throughout the day.

Nourilo’s Tips

This congee supports healthy fluid balance and nourishes the organs — people without any particular health concerns can enjoy it too. That said, if your digestion tends toward cold and loose, use it sparingly. For best results, warm foods and drinks are advisable; avoid chilled or raw foods which can worsen fluid retention by weakening spleen function.