Modified Bian Que Yin: A Balanced TCM-Inspired Wellness Drink for Dampness, Humid Fatigue, and Digestive Support

Kit Li

After a long working day combined with humid weather and lingering low heat, I felt completely worn out on my journey home. In TCM, late afternoon fatigue can often reflect dampness obstructing the body, particularly when the Spleen's transforming function is burdened. In humid conditions, feelings of heaviness and late afternoon fatigue may suggest dampness affecting the Spleen, especially when accompanied by sluggish digestion, bloating, or a heavy body sensation.

Without hesitation, I prepared a modified BianQueYin for myself to ease this heaviness and restore energy.

BianQueYin (San Dou Yin) (1)  is a classic formula traditionally composed of Mung Beans (Vigna radiata) (2), Black Beans (3), Chi Xiao Dou (Red adzuki beans), and raw Gan Cao. Its primary functions are to clear heat, relieve toxicity, promote urination, guide Qi from the Middle-Jiao to the Lower-Jiao, and help resolve damp-heat.

Because the original formula is quite cooling, I modified the ingredients and preparation to better suit dampness with underlying deficiency. In this version, Fu Ling (Poria) (4) replaces Chi Xiao Dou, while Mung Beans and Yiyiren (Coix Seed) are dry-roasted for about 10 minutes before cooking. This helps reduce excessive coldness, protect the Spleen and Stomach, gently support the Middle-Jiao, and improve dampness transformation without overly cooling or weakening Yang-Qi.

This TCM-inspired daily wellness drink is designed to support digestion, reduce dampness, clear heat, detoxify, and promote healthy fluid balance, making it especially suitable for humid weather, summer, or periods of fatigue, bloating, heaviness, and sluggish digestion.

Made with Chenpi (aged tangerine peel), roasted Yiyiren, roasted Mung Beans, Black Beans, and Fu Ling, this balanced formula helps strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, support digestion, reduce water retention, and ease damp-heat while remaining gentler and more suitable for regular use.

Benefits for:

Strengthens digestion and reduces dampness: Roasted Yiyiren helps drain excess moisture and support digestive function, while Chenpi regulates Qi and helps with bloating, fatigue, poor appetite, and heaviness caused by dampness affecting the Spleen.

Clears heat and detoxifies: Mung Beans are traditionally used to cool the body, reduce summer heat, and ease internal heat symptoms. In this modified version, roasting helps reduce their cooling nature, making the formula gentler on digestion.

Supports Kidneys and circulation: Black Beans are considered nourishing for Kidney energy and blood circulation, and when combined with Yiyiren and Mung Beans may help with edema related to water retention or deficiency.

Dries dampness and transforms phlegm: Chenpi promotes fluid metabolism and can help reduce mucus, damp accumulation, or sluggish digestion.

For optimal results, twice weekly during humid or heavy seasons is often a balanced rhythm.

Cooking method:

Ingredients:

• Roasted Mung Beans: 20g
• Roasted Yiyiren: 20g
• Fu Ling: 10g
• Black Beans: 20g (soaked for 1 hour before cooking)
• Chenpi: 1 small piece

Preparation:

• Roast Mung Beans and Yiyiren in a dry hot pan for about 10 minutes, then allow them to cool before cooking.
• Soak Chenpi until soft, then scrape off some of the white inner pith.

Cooking:

• Add all ingredients to a pot with water.
• Bring to a boil over high heat and skim off foam.
• Reduce to low heat and simmer for about 45 minutes until the beans soften.
• Allow it to cool slightly before drinking.

Cautions:

• Frequent cold limbs or Yang-deficiency
• Chronic loose stools or very weak digestion
• Pregnancy (especially medicinal-dose herbs without practitioner guidance)
• Kidney disease or prescribed fluid restrictions
• Yin-deficiency with dryness

Conclusion:

In essence, this modified Bian Que Yin became more than just a drink after a draining day, it served as a gentle way to lighten dampness, restore clarity, and support the body’s natural rhythm without overcooling or depletion. Thoughtfully adapted, it can be a practical seasonal wellness formula for navigating humid, heavy days with greater balance, energy, and digestive ease. 

References:

1) Bian Que Yin: https://www.academia.edu/50001943/Active_substances_and_in_vitro_anti_diabetic_effects_of_a_traditional_folk_remedy_Bian_Que_Triple_Bean_Soup_as_affected_by_the_boiling_time

2) Mung Beans (Vigna radiata): https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3427

3) Black Beans: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370546250_New_insights_into_chemical_compositions_and_health-promoting_effects_of_black_beans_Phaseolus_vulgaris_L

4) Fuling (Poria): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34911003

Exploring Integrative Medicine: Clinical Reflections from the King’s CICM Research Meeting (April 2026)

Kit Li

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the 3rd King’s CICM Research Meeting, themed 'Integrative Medicine: Quality of Clinical Evidence is the Key,' organised by Professor Xu Qihe, alongside my mentors Dr Tang and Dr Wang, and several LACA professors at King’s College.

In the morning, we visited Dimbleby Cancer Care at Guy’s Hospital, where patients are supported through a holistic model incorporating complementary therapies, psychological services, and welfare advice. During our visit, we had an in-depth discussion with Mandy Brass, Lead Acupuncturist, exchanging perspectives on our clinical work. She provided valuable insights into the centre’s operational framework, including the distinctions between individual and group acupuncture, patient pathways and waiting times, and the clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine equipment such as acupuncture needles, moxibustion, and TDP heat lamps.

The meeting continued with a series of research presentations divided into two sessions.

The first session, 'High-quality clinical studies underpin integrative medicine,' addressed topics including the acupuncture service at Guy’s Cancer Centre, the role of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in cancer care, international standards and best practice guidelines, and target trial emulation. Presentations were delivered by Mandy Brass, Dr TieJun Tang, Dr Qihe Xu, and Professor Yanzhong Wang.

The second session, “Shining a light on acupuncture in integrative medicine,” explored acupuncture practice at King’s College Health Centre, a scoping review of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine content on the NICE website, pulse-based acupuncture, and applications in stroke rehabilitation. This session featured Ms Titta M. Laattala, Mr Safin Hossain, Dr Jun Xu, and Dr TianJun Wang.

The event concluded with a panel discussion, where several professors offered insightful reflections on the future of integrative medicine. Following the meeting, we gathered for tea at the King’s College café, providing a valuable opportunity for further informal discussion. I was particularly grateful to continue exchanging ideas on Chinese herbal medicine with Professor Xu and Dr Tang, an inspiring and intellectually enriching conversation that deepened my perspective on integrative clinical practice.

My thoughts:

The discussion with Mandy was fascinating. Her role closely mirrors aspects of my own, although our professional backgrounds differ. Alongside my private practice, I volunteer as a neuro-acupuncturist at Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC), supporting patients undergoing or recovering from chemotherapy. My work focuses on scalp acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to support recovery and enhance quality of life. Notably, FNCH receives only around 3% of its funding from the NHS, relying predominantly on charitable contributions and legacy donations to sustain its services.

In this context, her suggestion of group acupuncture is particularly compelling. It not only benefits patients by creating a supportive environment where they can connect with others facing similar experiences, but also offers clinical efficiency by optimising practitioner time and increasing accessibility to care.

Another topic that particularly intrigued me was the role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in cancer management. (1) This is especially relevant for patients undergoing or recovering from chemotherapy. In such cases, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelet levels are often significantly reduced. From a TCM perspective, herbal strategies can be applied both to support the body’s recovery and to complement anti-cancer care. 

For example, herbs such as:

• Baihuasheshecao (Oldenlandia Herb) (1): anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, immune-enhancing
• Banzhilian (Barbed Skullcap Herb) (2): Often paired with Baihuasheshecao
• Fuling (Poria): gut, immunity, damp resolution
• Yiyiren (Coix seed): expels dampness

These are commonly used for their anti-cancer and damp-resolving properties, while others such as: 

• Huangqi (Astragalus Root) (3): commonly used for promoting Qi
• Danggui (Chinese Angelica Root): nourishing Blood
• Shudihuang  (Prepared Rehmannia Root): nourishing Yin and Blood

These are frequently prescribed to tonify Qi and nourish Blood.

As a TCM practitioner, I have observed in my private practice that the combination of Chinese herbal medicine and scalp acupuncture is highly valuable. The therapeutic synergy between these approaches often leads to improved clinical outcomes and may shorten recovery time, particularly when patients adhere to prescribed treatment plans and dietary recommendations.

Overall, the day was both inspiring and thought-provoking (5). It not only deepened my understanding of integrative medicine in a clinical setting but also strengthened my commitment to supporting patients through a holistic and compassionate approach. I left with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to continue growing as a practitioner in this field.

References:

1) Summarises multiple herbs including your list and their mechanisms: Review of commonly used Chinese herbs in cancer treatment

2) Baihuasheshecao shows anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects in cancer cells: Anticancer activities of Oldenlandia diffusa

3) Banzhilian, evidence for anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating effect: Clinical and pharmacological review of Scutellaria barbata

4) Huangqi shows improved survival and treatment outcomes when combined with chemo: Meta-analysis of Astragalus with chemotherapy

5) King's CICM Research Meeting Puts the Spotlight on Clinical Evidence: King’s CICM Research Meeting Puts the Spotlight on Clinical Evidence – The King’s Centre for Integrative Chinese Medicine