Atractylodes Macrocephalae and Pork Stomach Congee

[Prescriptions from the Great Peace]

[Ingredients of the Porridge] 30 grams of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 10 grams of Arecae Semen, one pig’s stomach, a small amount of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and 2 liang (100 grams) of Oryza Sativa L. (Japonica Rice).

[Indications and Actions] Tonifies the middle-jiao and replenishes qi, strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the stomach. It is indicated for weak Spleen and stomach qi, indigestion, lack of appetite, fatigue and shortness of breath, abdominal distension due to deficiency, and unsatisfactory diarrhea.

[Decoction Method] Wash the pig’s stomach, cut it into small pieces, decoct it together with Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Arecae Semen, and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens to obtain the juice, remove the dregs, and use the juice to cook porridge with rice. The pig’s stomach can be taken out and dipped in sesame oil and soy sauce to be eaten as a side dish.

Zhuyu Porridge with Atractylodes Macrocephala is a compound medicinal porridge. In this formula, Atractylodes Macrocephala (Baizhu) is the most commonly used Spleen-tonifying medicine in traditional Chinese medicine clinical practice. It tastes sweet with a slight bitterness and is warm in nature. It specifically enters the Spleen and stomach meridians. It has a good effect on Spleen-stomach qi deficiency syndromes with reduced digestive and absorptive functions, such as reduced food intake, loose stools, indigestion, and distension and fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen. Modern research has also confirmed that Atractylodes Macrocephala has the function of promoting gastrointestinal secretion. Areca nut has a relatively significant effect on promoting the circulation of qi and eliminating food stagnation. Clinicians often use it for syndromes of fullness, abdominal pain, and difficult defecation. When cooked into porridge with Atractylodes Macrocephala and pork stomach, it can promote the circulation of qi without harming the body’s vital energy, eliminate distension without causing damage, and significantly enhance the patient’s digestive capacity. Pork stomach can tonify deficiencies and damage, and strengthen the Spleen and stomach. According to Ben Cao Jing Shu, “Pork stomach is an important product for tonifying the Spleen and stomach. When the Spleen and stomach are tonified, the middle qi is strengthened.” The general public also widely knows the principle of “tonifying the organ with the same organ.” For example, tuberculosis patients can eat more pork Lungs, and Heart wellness patients often eat pork Hearts, which can assist medications in increasing efficacy. By the same token, people with Spleen-stomach deficiencies can often eat pork stomach to tonify the Spleen and strengthen the stomach. In short, cooking porridge with Atractylodes Macrocephala, pork stomach, japonica rice, and areca nut is very helpful for patients with insufficient middle qi and Spleen-stomach weakness. In the Song Dynasty’s Sheng Ji Zong Lu, Volume 190, Food Therapy Section, it is recorded: “For supports blood stasis and qi pain in the abdomen and flanks of women, with a surging sensation to the head and face, vomiting of sour water, restlessness and fever in the limbs, and abdominal distension, the recipe for Zhuyu Porridge with Atractylodes Macrocephala is as follows: 2 liang of Atractylodes Macrocephala, 1 areca nut, 1.5 liang of sliced and stir-fried ginger. Crudely pound and sift the above three ingredients. Take 1 pork stomach, prepare it as for food, remove the slimy substance, place the medicine inside the stomach and sew up the opening. Boil the stomach with 7 sheng of water until cooked. Take the juice, add japonica rice and the five flavors, and cook into porridge. Consume it on an empty stomach.” Based on the synergistic effects of the ingredients in this porridge recipe, in addition to women, anyone with Spleen-stomach qi deficiency can consume it.

[Precautions] Atractylodis Macrocephalae and Pork Stomach Congee can be served warm for breakfast and dinner. Take it as a course of supports for 3 to 5 days, then stop for 3 days before resuming. Discontinue use once the wellness is supports. Since areca nut has the property of breaking and consuming qi, its dosage should not be excessive.

[Reference Materials]

[Puji Fang · Volume 259 · Dietary Therapy]: “For supports postpartum accumulated heat, extreme fatigue, emaciation of the limbs, and failure of diet to nourish the muscles. Take one pig’s stomach, wash it clean, first boil it with wheat until half-cooked, then remove the stomach, finely chop it, and set it aside separately. Take half a liang of crushed Astragali Radix (Huangqi), three fen of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), three he of Oryzae Sativae Semen (Jingmi), and one liang of crushed Nelumbinis Semen (Lianshi). Add five sheng of water, boil the pig’s stomach, add Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, and Nelumbinis Semen, and when cooked, remove the dregs and medicinal substances along with the stomach, clarify the juice until it is clear, then add the Oryzae Sativae Semen. When nearly cooked, add five ingredients of Allii Fistulosi Bulbus (Congbai), mix well to make porridge, and consume it as desired.”

[Tonics and Health Supplements]: “Wash the pig’s stomach, slice it, and cook it together with rice and Dioscorea opposita (Chinese yam) to make porridge. Add salt and ginger for seasoning, and consume after it is cooked. It nourishes the Spleen and stomach and supports diarrhea caused by Spleen deficiency and stomach weakness.”