from https://phoenixrisesacupuncture.com/healing-congee-chinese-rice-porridge/
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Congee is a very poplar nourishing meal. It is very gentle and beneficial for our digestive system; Stomach holds the food, and than the Spleen transports and transforms it – Human body depends on the proper function of these two organs.Congee is very easy to make; you’ll need a 5:1 ratio of water – grains with a pinch of Himalayan salt. Once you incorporate congee in your diet, you’ll see improvement in digestive functions and the consistent improvement in energy levels. It is believed that those who need to lose weight will lose it and those who need to gain weight will gain it they incorporate porridge in their diet (and on regular basis).The best (and the easiest way) is to cook it overnight in a crock pot (make sure you set it up on low before you go to sleep). In China they say that the longer the congee cooks, the more healing it becomes, especially if you make it with a home made broth. I personally prefer it with a bone marrow broth.You can make it savory ad sweet, and you can make it spice and pungent – it all depends on what your flavor is.You will use 5:1 ratio as a base – but you can get really creative with ingredients you add.For a sweet flavored Congee – add honey, nuts, dates, little ginseng or ginger, you can also add dried fruits. If you don’t like friend foods cooked – you can always add fresh fruit over your congee once it’s cooked.If you prefer savory flavors, add home made broths to it along with meats of your choice (chicken, pork, beef – even fish).I like to garnish my congees with chopped green onions, but you cal also add parsley or cilantro.If you’re vegan or a vegetarian – you just omit the aria product.HEALING PROPERTIESThis kind of a meal is easily digested and absorbed, it will nourish the blood and your energy levels, it aids the digestion, it can also increase a supply of milk in breastfeeding women. The liquid can even be strained from the porridge to drink as a supplement for infants and for serious conditions.**You can also add in above mentioned bone marrow broth, vegetables of your choice, spices or meats. Below are some of the more common rice-based congees and their specific effects.*SOME OF THE COMMON CONGEES:Aduki Bean: Diuretic; curative for edema and goutApricot Kernel: Recommended for coughs and asthma, expels sputum and intestinal gasCarrot: Digestive aid, eliminates flatulenceCelery: Cooling in summer; benefits large intestineChestnut: Tonifies kidneys, strengthens knees and loin; useful in treating anal hemorrhagesWater Chestnut: Cooling to viscera; benefits digestive organsChicken or Mutton Broth: Recommended for wasting illnesses and injuriesDuck or Carp Broth: Reduces edema and swellingFennel: Harmonizes stomach, expels gas; cures herniaGinger: Warming and antiseptic to viscera; used for deficient cold digestive weakness: diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, and indigestion.Kidney from Pig, Sheep, or Deer: Strengthens kidneys; benefits knees and lower back; treats impotence (use organic kidney)Leek: Warming to viscera; good for chronic diarrheaLiver from Sheep or Chicken: Benefits diseases of the liver; very powerful (use organic organ meats)Mallow: Moistening for feverishness; aids digestionMung Bean: Cooling, especially for summer heat; reduces fevers; thirst relievingMustard: Expels phlegm; clears stomach congestionSalted Onion: Diaphoretic; lubricating to musclesBlack Pepper: Expels gas; recommended for pain in bowelsRed Pepper: Prevents malaria and cold conditionsPine Nut Kernel: Moistening to heart and lungs; harmonizes large intestine; useful in wind diseases and constipationPoppy Seed: Relieves vomiting and benefits large intestinePurslane: Detoxifies; recommended for rheumatism and swellingsRadish: Digestant; benefits the diaphragmPickled Radish (salt): Benefits digestion and bloodBrown Rice: Diuretic; thirst-quenching; nourishing; good for nursing mothersSweet Rice: Demulcent; used for diarrhea, vomiting, and indigestionScallion Bulb: Cures cold diarrhea in the agedSesame Seed: Moistening to intestines; treats rheumatismShepherd’s Purse: Brightens the eyes and benefits the liverSpinach: Harmonizing and moistening to viscera: sedativeTaro Root: Nutritious; aids the stomach; builds bloodWheat: Cooling; used with fevers; clears digestive tract; also calming and sedating due to wheat; nourishing effect on the heartYogurt and Honey: Beneficial to heart and lungs*Adapted from Chinese Medicinal Herbs, translated and researched by F. Porter Smith and G. A. Stuart; San Francisco; Georgetown Press, 1973, p. 470.**Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitchford
Healing Congee (Chinese Rice Porridge) – Phoenix Rises Acupuncture
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