Our Ancestors Were Right! “Skip Yang-Boosting at Summer Solstice, Waste Efforts All Year Round” – Savor These 3 Nourishing Porridges Now

As the ancient saying goes: “Skip yang-boosting at the summer solstice, waste efforts all year round.” Once the summer solstice passes, the heat grows so intense that even cicadas drone with weariness. Humidity clings to the sweltering air, leaving one feeling drained and lethargic. Yet, paradoxically, this is precisely when the body must quietly accumulate yang energy, laying a foundation for autumn and winter. Neglecting this makes one vulnerable to creeping fatigue and cold deficiency.

For generations, our ancestors have gently safeguarded our vitality and health through warm, comforting bowls of congee. These three porridges serve as the most tender guardians after the summer solstice—simple enough for kitchen novices yet profoundly nourishing. Savor them while warm!

I. Red Bean, Job’s Tears, Red Date & Glutinous Rice Congee: The “Warm Embrace” for Dampness Relief & Spleen Nourishment

Ingredients:

• 50g adzuki beans

• 30g Job’s tears (adlay; lightly toasted for milder properties)

• 8–10 pitted red dates

• 50g glutinous rice

• Ample water (adjust for preferred consistency)

• Rock sugar or brown sugar to taste

Method:

1. Soak adzuki beans and Job’s tears for at least 2 hours (or overnight) for easier cooking.

2. Combine soaked beans, Job’s tears, rinsed glutinous rice, and red dates in a pot with sufficient water.

3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low for ~1 hour until beans soften and porridge thickens.

4. Stir in sugar until dissolved before turning off the heat.

Why it shines:

This porridge rescues you when dampness weighs you down! Adzuki beans and Job’s tears—a golden duo for dispelling dampness—join forces with blood-nourishing dates and stomach-friendly glutinous rice. Together, they gently expel dampness without taxing the body, offering warmth without overheating. A bowl in the morning soothes the spleen and stomach, wrapping you in comfort from within. The heavy, stifling sensation of excess dampness simply melts away.

II. Mung Bean, Red Bean, Lily & Lotus Seed Decoction: The “Cooling Elixir” for Calming Mind & Beating Heat

Ingredients:

• 30g mung beans

• 30g adzuki beans

• 10g dried lily bulbs

• 15g lotus seeds (cores retained)

• 20g Job’s tears (toasted optional)

• 15g fox nuts (qian shi)

• 10g poria (fu ling)

• 1.5–2L water

Method:

1. Soak beans, Job’s tears, and fox nuts (except poria) beforehand. Rinse lily bulbs and lotus seeds.

2. Place all ingredients in a pot with water.

3. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered (lid slightly ajar) for 45–60 minutes. Strain and serve warm or cool.

Why it shines:

This “divine tonic” is a summer-night savior! Mung beans and lotus seeds clear heart fire; lily bulbs calm the spirit; fox nuts and poria strengthen the spleen; red beans and Job’s tears clear damp-heat. The subtly sweet, clear broth flows through you like a mountain spring, instantly dissolving heat-induced restlessness. A small bowl before bed ensures serene, undisturbed sleep—no more tossing in the sweltering dark.

III. Black Bean, Purple Rice & Osmanthus Congee: The “Vitality Booster” for Deep Nourishment

Ingredients:

• 30g black beans

• 50g purple rice

• 20g Job’s tears (toasted optional)

• 15g fox nuts

• 10g dried lily bulbs

• 6–8 pitted red dates

• 15g dried longan

• Pinch of dried osmanthus flowers (for garnish)

• Water as needed

• Rock sugar or brown sugar to taste

Method:

1. Soak black beans, Job’s tears, and fox nuts for several hours. Rinse purple rice and lily bulbs.

2. Combine all ingredients (except osmanthus) in a pot with ample water.

3. Boil, then simmer for 1–1.5 hours until beans and rice soften into a thick porridge.

4. Sweeten to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fragrant osmanthus.

Why it shines:

This powerhouse porridge tackles late-summer exhaustion! Black beans fortify kidneys; purple rice enriches blood; longan and dates warm and nourish qi; fox nuts and Job’s tears stabilize kidneys/spleen while dispelling dampness. Each spoonful delivers deep, earthy notes, sweet fruitiness, and a floral whisper from the osmanthus. Warmth spreads to your limbs, energy resurges—perfect for when you feel depleted. Truly, a humble yet mighty tonic!

The Wisdom Behind the Warmth

The ~20 days after the summer solstice are what our ancestors called the “golden window to absorb heaven’s yang.” While the sun blazes strongest, the body paradoxically becomes susceptible to cold-damp invasion. A warm bowl of congee becomes its gentlest shield. No expensive tonics or complex recipes are needed—just ordinary grains and legumes, simmered patiently to unlock their quiet power.

In the steam rising from these bowls, we taste more than warmth and sweetness. We sip ancient wisdom aligned with the seasons, a harmony between body and nature. So as summer deepens, let these time-honored recipes anchor you—nourishing, simple, and profoundly wise.