Adzuki Bean and Jobs Tears Congee

     Drinking congee on a regular basis is a great way to gently strengthen your digestive system.  It is very inexpensive and easy to prepare.  Congee can be used as a supplemental treatment for many different chronic diseases depending on the ingredients that are included.  It is extremely easy to digest and if taken regularly it can have a major effect on digestive health as well as overall health.

Adzuki bean and job’s tears congee is very good for people that suffer from what in Chinese medicine is called a damp spleen. You might be asking yourself “What the heck is a damp spleen?”  In Chinese Medicine the spleen plays a major role in digestion.  Lack of exercise, stress and over consumption of sweets, dairy, fried foods, iced drinks and  excessive intake of raw foods can wreak havoc on a person’s digestive system.  These foods will cause a weakening and slowing down of the digestive system.  After the digestive system slows it will cause a build up of toxins and excess water in the body.  This can manifest as poor digestion, bloating, weight gain, some skin diseases, headaches, difficulty waking in the morning. cloudy thinking and joint pain to name a few.  These can all be manifestation of excess fluid accumulation in the body or what the Chinese call excess spleen damp.

Drinking this congee regularly will help remove toxins and dampness from your body and improve your metabolism.  This will lead to clearer thinking, stronger digestion and smoother skin.

Adzuki beans and jobs tears congee recipe

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Soak the beans and jobs tears overnight.
2. Drain and rinse the beans and jobs tears and place them in a sauce pan.
3. Cover them with about 12 cups of water.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Boil on medium heat for about 20 minutes.
6. Simmer on low heat until the beans are cooked through (about 45 minutes to 1 hour)
7. Serve warm.
8. Allow the leftovers to cool and place them in the refrigerator.

      This recipe should make about two to three bowls worth.  After drinking it your stomach should feel more relaxed and you might sweat a little.  Some people experience an increase in urination while others might experience changes in bowel movements.  Most people will need to drink this congee for a week or two before they see changes.  Just be patient.

You should not drink this congee if you suffer from constipation or if you are pregnant.