Red Adzuki Bean, Coix Seed & Chinese Yam Soup

Main Ingredients

• Red adzuki beans 80-100g
• Coix seeds (Job’s tears) 50-80g
• Chinese yam 200-300g
• Dried tangerine peel 1 small piece
• Fresh ginger 2-3 slices
• Red dates 3-5 pieces
• Rock sugar to taste
• Water 1200-1500ml

Steps

1. Rinse 80-100g of red adzuki beans and 50-80g of coix seeds separately, removing any bad beans. Soak red adzuki beans in water for 4-6 hours or overnight and coix seeds for 2-4 hours or overnight until expanded. Drain and set aside. Wear gloves to peel 200-300g of Chinese yam (to prevent skin irritation from the mucilage). Cut into 2-3cm roll-cut chunks. Immediately place in clean water to prevent oxidation.

   

2. Place the soaked red adzuki beans and coix seeds in a pot with about 1200-1500ml of water. Add 1 small piece of tangerine peel, 2-3 slices of ginger, or 3-5 red dates if desired. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover with a small gap, and simmer for 50-60 minutes until the adzuki beans are tender and the coix seeds are soft.

   

3. Remove the yam from the water and add to the pot. Continue simmering over low heat for 15-20 minutes until the yam is tender and easily pierced with a fork.

   

4. Add rock sugar to taste (optional; omit for dampness-dominant individuals) and stir until fully dissolved. Turn off the heat. Serve warm or at room temperature. 1-2 times daily, about 1 bowl (200-300ml) per serving. Healthy individuals should consume 2-3 times per week.

   

TCM Notes

Red Adzuki Beans: Contain approximately 20g protein, 60g carbohydrates, and 7.7g dietary fiber per 100g. Rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Known for promoting diuresis, reducing swelling, detoxifying, draining pus, strengthening the spleen, and draining dampness. The saponins in red adzuki beans have a good diuretic effect, helping to eliminate excess water from the body. Note: Red adzuki beans are long, cylindrical, slender, purplish-red, and hard in texture. Do not substitute with regular red beans. Coix Seeds (Job’s Tears): Contain approximately 12.8g protein, 3.3g fat, 71.1g carbohydrates, and 2g dietary fiber per 100g. Rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Known for strengthening the spleen, draining dampness, clearing heat, draining pus, and reducing edema. Coix seeds are a low-GI food (GI approximately 55), suitable as part of a staple food replacement. Chinese Yam: Contains approximately 1.9g protein, 12.4g carbohydrates, and 0.8g dietary fiber per 100g. Rich in mucilage protein, amylase, polyphenol oxidase, saponins, vitamin C, and minerals including potassium and magnesium. Known for strengthening the spleen, benefiting the stomach, nourishing the kidneys, and boosting qi. Mucilage protein protects the gastric mucosa, and amylase aids starch digestion. Synergistic Effect: Red adzuki beans promote diuresis; coix seeds strengthen the spleen and drain dampness; Chinese yam strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach. One drains, one drains dampness, one tonifies—draining without harming the body, draining dampness without damaging yin, and tonifying the spleen without being cloying. Total approx. 300-400 kcal (unsweetened), primarily carbohydrates—a low-fat, high-fiber soup that strengthens the spleen, drains dampness, and promotes diuresis.

Suitable for：Those with heavy dampness, body heaviness, and thick greasy tongue coating Those with weak spleen and dampness, poor appetite, indigestion, and sticky stools Those with edema, difficult urination, and morning eyelid puffiness Those with summer dampness, body heaviness, and thirst without desire to drink Those with oily skin, acne, or eczema due to damp-heat (adjunctive support) Those with hypertension and hyperlipidemia (adjunctive support) Those needing to strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, and reduce edema General population for summer or rainy season wellness

Not suitable for：Pregnant women – avoid or use with caution. Coix seeds are slippery in nature; pharmacological studies show they stimulate uterine smooth muscle and may induce contractions, potentially increasing the risk of miscarriage. Avoid large amounts, especially in early pregnancy. Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – coix seeds are slightly cool; those with cold intolerance, easy diarrhea, or abdominal cold pain should not consume much. Add 2-3 slices of ginger, 1 small piece of tangerine peel, or 3-5 red dates to balance the cool nature. Women during menstruation – coix seeds are cool; excessive consumption may worsen menstrual discomfort or dysmenorrhea. Those with frequent urination or excessive urine output – red adzuki beans and coix seeds both promote diuresis and may worsen symptoms. Those with diarrhea or loose stools – red adzuki beans and coix seeds are high in fiber, and coix seeds are cool, which may worsen diarrhea. Acute gout / hyperuricemia patients – red adzuki beans and coix seeds have moderate purine content; purines dissolve into the soup. Avoid during acute flare-ups; during remission, consume sparingly and discard the broth. Diabetes patients – omit rock sugar and control red adzuki bean and coix seed portions, reducing staple food accordingly. Those with renal insufficiency – red adzuki beans and coix seeds are high in potassium; portion size must be under medical guidance. Those allergic to red adzuki beans, coix seeds, or Chinese yam. Those with sensitive skin to yam – wear gloves when handling yam to avoid skin irritation from the mucilage.