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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 uses recorded in the Donguibogam

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

Traditional applications recorded in the classical text

  • 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.
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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