Mung beans (lǜdòu, 绿豆)

These little pulses are often eaten in the summertime as they are an essential yin food that, according to TCM, helps to detoxify the body, expel heat and add moisture. You’ll find sweet mung bean soups, as well as mung bean added into pastries and eaten for breakfast in congee. These little nutritional powerhouses are also packed with potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber, and vitamin B6, which can help smooth over mood swings and control stress. The fiber also helps to regulate digestion and keep things moving.