Ginseng and Poria Congee

Prescriptions from the Great Imperial Pharmacy

Porridge Recipe Composition: 3-5 grams of Ginseng (or 15-20 grams of Codonopsis Pilosula), 15-20 grams of Poria Cocos, 3-5 grams of Fresh Ginger, 60 grams of Japonica Rice.

Efficacy and Indications: Replenishes qi and tonifies deficiency, strengthens the Spleen and nourishes the stomach. It is suitable for signs of imbalance such as qi deficiency and physical weakness, insufficient Spleen and stomach function, fatigue and lack of strength, pale complexion, reduced food intake, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, and loose stools.

Decoction Method: First, slice ginseng (or codonopsis pilosula) and ginger into thin pieces, crush poria cocos, soak them for half an hour, decoct to obtain the medicinal juice, then decoct again to obtain another dose of medicinal juice. Combine the medicinal juices from the first and second decoctions, and divide into two portions. Cook congee with japonica rice using these two portions of medicinal juice and consume it in the morning and evening.

Explanation of the Congee’s Significance: Shenling Congee is a medicinal congee recipe suitable for individuals with Spleen and stomach deficiency. It has a significant effect on improving impaired digestive and absorptive functions caused by insufficient Spleen and stomach energy. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that “the Spleen and stomach are the foundation of the postnatal body.” When the Spleen and stomach are weak and the central qi is deficient and feeble, the body cannot adequately intake food and absorb nutrients. Over time, this will inevitably lead to emaciation and physical weakness. According to modern clinical reports, ginseng (Ren Shen) in the recipe can increase appetite and helps with occasional or eliminate signs of imbalance in patients with chronic gastritis accompanied by achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria. Some reports also indicate that ginseng can make gastric signs of imbalance disappear, enhance appetite, and normalize bowel movements in patients with chronic gastritis. In traditional Chinese medical literature, the “Zhen Zhu Nang” states that ginseng can “nourish stomach qi.” The “Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao” claims that it can “regulate the central qi, supports qi wellness, aid digestion, and stimulate appetite.” The “Ben Cao Hui Yan” records that “ginseng replenishes qi and generates blood. When the Spleen and stomach are weak, and dietary intake is reduced, or there is vomiting, ginseng can be used to harmonize the middle and strengthen the Spleen.” Poria (Fu Ling) is sweet in taste and neutral in nature. It has the effects of benefiting the Spleen, harmonizing the stomach, promoting diuresis, and eliminating dampness. Wang Haogu, a physician from the Yuan Dynasty, stated that poria can “benefit the Spleen and stomach.” The “Yao Xing Lun” mentions that poria can “stimulate appetite and stop vomiting and nausea.” When boiled into congee with ginseng and japonica rice, it is very effective for signs of imbalance such as Spleen and stomach qi deficiency, weak digestive and transporting functions, reduced food intake, and loose stools.

Ginger is a common seasoning used by people to eliminate fishy and foul odors. It is also an excellent medicinal herb that warms the stomach, dispels cold, warms the middle-jiao, and stops vomiting. When cooked into porridge with ginseng and poria, it is highly beneficial for stomach-cold conditions characterized by deficiency-cold of the Spleen and stomach, vomiting of clear fluid, a dull and cold pain in the stomach area that is helps with occasional by pressure and warmth.

Shenling Porridge originates from Volume 188, Food Therapy Section of “Sheng Ji Zong Lu” (Song Dynasty). The book records: “For supports exogenous febrile wellness with disharmony of stomach qi, complete loss of appetite, and progressive emaciation, the formula for Shenling Porridge is as follows: 1 liang of chopped Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen), half a liang of chopped Poria with the black outer layer removed (Bai Fu Ling), and 2 he of thoroughly washed Oryza sativa var. japonica (Jing Mi, polished round-grained rice).”

Slice two qian of fresh ginger. For the above four ingredients, first boil ginseng, poria, and fresh ginger in three sheng of water until one sheng remains. Strain out the dregs, then add rice and cook it into porridge. When it is nearly done, add one egg white and a small amount of salt, stir well, and consume it on an empty stomach. However, in clinical application, it is not necessarily limited to “typhoid fever,” that is, exogenous warm-heat wellness. As long as it is a chronic patient with Spleen-stomach qi deficiency, this porridge can be consumed.

Precautions: Shenling Porridge is a mild formula for regulating the Spleen and stomach. It can be taken intermittently and regularly throughout the year by patients with Spleen-stomach qi deficiency and stomach cold. Consume it warm on an empty stomach, twice daily, in the morning and evening.

Reference Materials

From Food Therapy Prescriptions for Various Pediatric wellness in Shiyi Xinjian: “Prescription for Ginseng Congee to supports pediatric conditions such as cold deficiency in the stomach and intestines, vomiting, diarrhea, and startled crying. Ingredients: Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Poria (Fu Ling), three fen each; Ophiopogon Root (Mai Men Dong), four fen; Red Rice, one he (approximately 100 ml). Method: Boil the three herbs in one and a half sheng (approximately 300 ml) of water to obtain seven he (approximately 140 ml) of decoction. Strain out the dregs, add the rice, and cook into congee for consumption.”

New Book on Health Preservation and Elderly Care, Volume II, Dietary supports Prescriptions: “Ginseng Congee. Take half a liang of ginseng and grind it into powder, and obtain half a liang of ginger juice. Boil these two ingredients with two sheng of water until one sheng remains. Then add one he of millet and cook into thin congee. Consume it whenever you feel hungry. It supports regurgitation and vomiting of sour fluid.”