Tonic Drinks & Waters

Kudzu Root, Mung Bean, Coix Seed and Hyacinth Bean Drink

traditionally used to clear internal heat, support skin clarity, and ease acne and blemishes

In short: Kudzu Root, Mung Bean, Coix Seed and Hyacinth Bean Drink is a tonic drinks & water that traditionally used to clear internal heat, support skin clarity, and ease acne and blemishes. It is most often made for cleansing & regularity, skin & natural beauty. Total time about 135 min. Key ingredients: kudzu root, mung beans, coix seeds / job's tears, honey dates.

Prep
15 min
Cook
120 min
Total
135 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
Kudzu Root, Mung Bean, Coix Seed and Hyacinth Bean Drink

Why people make this drink

Hong Kong’s go-go lifestyle means a lot of people are burning the candle at both ends — late nights, high stress, and not enough time to eat well. This pattern, along with spicy or greasy food, can lead to what traditional Chinese wellness describes as accumulated internal heat or “hot toxins” — showing up as muscle aches, mouth ulcers, itchy skin, and breakouts. Kudzu root (fen ge) has been used in Chinese food therapy for centuries: it is traditionally prized for clearing this kind of internal heat, relaxing stiff muscles, and supporting the body’s natural processes. This combination drink is especially helpful for those who stay up late, smoke, or drink alcohol.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Kudzu root · Randomized controlled trial, 20 participants · 2015
    The kudzu group reduced intake from 3.0 to 1.9 beers after treatment, while the placebo group rose from 2.7 to 3.4. Kudzu-treated participants also drank more slowly.Limitation: Very small sample (10 per group) with a single dose in a laboratory setting, so results may not carry over to everyday drinking.PubMed 26048637 · 2 more kudzu root studies
  • Mung beans · Randomized crossover trial, 20 participants · 2019
    Breath hydrogen and methane were higher after wheat than after rice or mung bean noodles. Bloating scores after mung bean did not differ significantly from wheat, and mung bean produced gas levels similar to rice.Limitation: Small sample of 20 patients, with single meals tested rather than habitual intake, so longer-term effects of mung bean on symptoms are unknown.PubMed 31484315 · 1 more mung beans study
  • Job's tears (coix) · Randomized controlled trial · 2024
    Myeloperoxidase activity rose significantly in the placebo group after 8 weeks but showed no significant change in the adlay tea group. Vascular endothelial function improved in the adlay group, especially in those over 40.Limitation: Participants were healthy adults and the outcomes were surrogate markers, so the results say little about clinical disease outcomes. Tea is a polyphenol-rich extract, not whole grain.PubMed 38945894 · 2 more job's tears (coix) studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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