Sweet Potato Congee

Porridge Prescriptions

Porridge Composition: Half a jin of fresh sweet potatoes, 2 to 3 liang of japonica rice, and an appropriate amount of white sugar.

Efficacy and Indications: Strengthening the Spleen and nourishing the stomach, replenishing qi and promoting lactation. Applicable for vitamin A deficiency, night blindness, bloody stool, constipation, and damp-heat jaundice.

Boiling Method: Wash the sweet potatoes (those with red-purple skin and yellow flesh are the best), cut them into small pieces with the skin on, add water and cook them together with japonica rice to make a thin porridge. When the porridge is almost done, add an appropriate amount of white sugar and continue to boil for two or three more boils.

Explanation of Congee Benefits: Sweet potato, commonly known as yam, is also called sweet tater, Ipomoea batatas, or yam bean. It is cultivated throughout China, and fresh sweet potatoes are often used to make congee for consumption in folk practices.

Habit.

Sweet potato is one of the staple foods for the working people in China. It is not only rich in nutrients but also possesses certain medicinal value. According to Ming Dynasty’s Li Shizhen’s Compendium of Materia Medica, sweet potato can “replenish deficiency and fatigue, boost vital energy and strength, strengthen the Spleen and stomach, and nourish Kidney yin.” Zhao Xueming stated in Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica that it can “replenish the center, promote blood circulation, warm the stomach, and nourish the five internal organs. The variety with white skin and white flesh nourishes Lung qi when consumed raw.” Jin Shu Chuan Xi Lu also records that sweet potato can supports “dysentery with blood, diarrhea caused by alcohol accumulation and heat, damp-heat jaundice, spermatorrhea and turbid urine, irregular menstruation due to blood deficiency, and infantile malnutrition.” The main nutrients in sweet potato include carbohydrates, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A and C. It contains more protein than rice and wheat flour. Additionally, it contains small amounts of fat, carotene, riboflavin, etc. When cooked with japonica rice to make porridge, it can further enhance the effects of strengthening the Spleen and stomach and replenishing the central qi. Porridge Canon – Porridge Varieties III – Vegetable and Fruit Category states: “Sweet potato porridge. Boosts qi, strengthens the stomach and intestines, and helps with occasional hunger.” Due to its sweet and delicious taste, sweet potato porridge is suitable for people of all ages.

Precautions: Since sweet potato porridge contains a large amount of sugar, it is not suitable for people with diabetes. In addition, when eating sweet potato porridge, be sure to consume it while it is hot. Eating it cold or getting chilled after eating it can easily cause acid regurgitation and Heartburn. For some patients with stomach wellness who cannot eat sweet foods normally, it is not advisable to eat too much.