Witnessed by: TCM · Ayurveda · Unani

Mung bean (Vigna radiata), of the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. Erect annual legume bearing slender hairy pods of small seeds; native range: Indian subcontinent; cultivated across Asia since antiquity. Globally recognized as mudga in Sanskrit, mung in Hindi, lü dou (绿豆) in Chinese, mash in Arabic, and green gram, golden gram in English. The part used is seed (whole bean and split dhal); sometimes sprouts. Small olive-green seeds, faintly sweet and bland; split they show a pale yellow interior that cooks quickly to a light, easily digested gruel.

In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.

MUNG BEAN

IDENTITY

Name

Common: Mung bean
Scientific name: Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek
Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Form

Part used: seed (whole bean and split dhal); sometimes sprouts

PROPERTIES

Nature

Taste

how the plant declares itself on the tongue

TCM: sweet
Ayurveda: dominant: sweet (madhura) · secondary: astringent (kashaya anurasa)
Unani: sweet · bland

Temperature

TCM: cold

Ayurveda: cooling (shita)

Unani: cold (& dry, 1st degree)

convergence: all {witness_count} witnesses agree the bean is cooling — the cool pulse given for heat and thirst

Affinity

where in the body it travels

Organs / channels

TCM: Heart · Stomach
Unani: stomach · intestines · liver

PRACTICE

Virtue

Actions

TCM: clears heat, relieves summerheat, resolves toxicity, and promotes urination
Ayurveda: grahi (absorbent) and light, dipana in convalescence, jvaraghna (fever-allaying), balancing to pitta and kapha; sprouts and paste soothe the skin
Unani: muballid (cooling), nutritive and easily digested, quenches thirst and tempers bilious heat

Cautions

Contraindications: cold, weak digestion with loose stool and much wind; those with deficient, cold conditions should take it well-spiced and cooked
Toxicity: none of note; a wholesome food

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