Sweet Soups & Desserts
Candied Winter Melon, Adzuki Bean and Corn Silk Tea
Traditionally used to promote urination and ease water retention
Why people make this tea
Winter melon is usually thought of as a summer cooler, but Bro Niu keeps candied winter melon on hand year-round because it brews into a pleasant tea that is traditionally associated with promoting urination and easing water retention. Pair it with adzuki bean — long valued for draining dampness and reducing swelling — and corn silk, which is associated with supporting the kidneys, and you get a gentle, supportive cup.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with scanty urine, mild urinary discomfort, or a tendency to fluid retention; traditionally regarded as supportive for those managing kidney concerns
- Candied winter melon is sugary — if you have diabetes, swap in dried winter melon peel (dong gua pi) instead
- If you have a diagnosed kidney condition, treat this only as a food and please see a doctor for treatment
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Winter melon (dong gua): traditionally promotes urination and eases swelling
- Adzuki bean (chi xiao dou): traditionally drains dampness, reduces swelling, and helps clear toxins
- Corn silk (su mi xin): traditionally associated with supporting the kidneys and promoting urination
Ingredients (2 to 3 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Candied winter melon | ~75 g | diabetics: use dried winter melon peel ~40 g |
| Adzuki beans | ~40 g | soaked, rinsed |
| Corn silk | ~40 g | rinsed |
Method
- Soak and rinse all the ingredients.
- Simmer in 6 bowls of water for 1 hour, reducing to 2 to 3 bowls. Drink as a tea.
Bro Niu’s tips
This food-therapy tea is light and fragrant. It traditionally suits people with scanty urine, mild urinary-tract discomfort, kidney stones, or protein in the urine. For those with protein in the urine, up to 3 batches a week is reasonable. If you have frequent night urination, drink it in the morning and before the afternoon-tea hour rather than late in the day.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (daydreamer): This tea has candied winter melon — can an elderly person with diabetes drink it? And where do I buy candied winter melon? How many batches a week for someone with protein in the urine? Bro Niu: Buy 1 tael dried winter melon peel (dong gua pi) from a Chinese herb shop to replace the candied kind — better for diabetics. For protein in the urine, up to 3 batches a week.
- Q (daydreamer): And if she has both diabetes and protein in the urine, and frequent night urination, can she still take it? Bro Niu: With frequent night urination, drink it in the morning and before afternoon tea.
Published October 21, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
