Mung Bean

녹두 (菉豆) · Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek

Heat-clearing, detoxifying food herb Cold (some sources: neutral or cool) Sweet Heart, Stomach

NatureCold (some sources: neutral or cool)

TasteSweet

MeridiansHeart, Stomach

Part usedSeed

FamilyFabaceae

CategoryHeat-clearing, detoxifying food herb

Find by concern: Hives

Overview

Mung bean is the source of sukju-namul (bean sprouts) and bindae-tteok batter familiar in Korean cooking, and the Donguibogam records its standout property clearly: clearing heat and toxicity, calming rashes and inflamed swelling — a use that lines up with its continued folk reputation as a "cooling" food.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑

性寒一云平, 一云冷, 味甘, 無毒. 主一切丹毒, 煩熱, 風疹, 藥石發動. 壓熱, 消腫, 下氣, 止消渴.

Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)

TranslationIts nature is cold (some say neutral, some say cool), its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic. It mainly treats all manner of erysipelas-type toxic rash, vexing heat, wind-rash, and reactions from mineral drugs. It suppresses heat, resolves swelling, brings down qi, and stops wasting-thirst.

Traditional functions

Clears heat and toxicity
Resolves swelling
Calms rashes
Relieves wasting-thirst

Traditional applications

Heat-toxin rashes and skin eruptions
Vexing heat and irritability
Swelling from heat patterns
Reaction to certain medicines (classical use)

Traditional preparation

Eaten as sprouts, porridge, or jelly (nokdumuk); decoction of the whole bean 20–40g for heat-clearing use.

Cautions

Caution: A cooling food-herb; those with a cold, weak digestive constitution should moderate intake. Generally very safe as food. Consult a professional for concentrated medicinal use.

Frequently asked questions

Is mung bean really considered "cooling" in Korean tradition?

Yes — the Donguibogam records its nature as cold and its main action as clearing heat-toxin and calming rashes, which lines up exactly with the traditional Korean view of mung bean as a body-cooling food.

What skin-related uses does the classical text mention?

It lists erysipelas-type toxic rash, wind-rash (urticaria-like eruptions), and vexing heat among its main treatments — all heat-pattern skin and irritability conditions.

Sources

동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)

DonguiHub is an educational and informational platform about the history and tradition of Korean medicine. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about health conditions and before using any herb.