Mung Bean and Lily Bulb Congee

Why people make this congee

In Chinese food therapy, different types of internal “fire” are associated with different sets of symptoms. Liver fire shows up as red eyes, easy anger, bitter taste in the mouth, and headaches. Stomach fire as bad breath, thirst, bloating, and constipation. Heart fire as mouth sores, insomnia, and restlessness. Lung fire as dry cough and a dry nose and mouth. Kidney fire — often described as a deficiency fire rather than a true excess — shows up as dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss, sore teeth, night sweats, and disturbed sleep. This simple congee, with mung bean’s well-known cooling and detoxifying properties combined with the calming, heart-supporting lily bulb, addresses several of these presentations at once. It is easy to make, pleasant to eat, and a reliable go-to when the body feels overheated from the inside.