Qumo Porridge

[Duoneng Bishi]

The author of this book, Liu Ji (1311-1375), styled Boyun, was from Qingtian, Zhejiang Province, and a politician in the early Ming Dynasty. He was well-versed in the classics and history, resourceful and strategic, serving as an important advisor to Zhu Yuanzhang and recognized as a “founding hero” of the Ming Dynasty. His work Duoneng Bishi is a veritable scientific and technological treatise that comprehensively covers methods related to diet, utensils, medicine, agriculture, gardening, and animal husbandry. First published in 1540 AD, 165 years after Liu Ji’s death, the book consists of twelve volumes divided into four sections—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—systematically introducing knowledge on dietary hygiene and health preservation. In particular, “Volume Four: Dietary Category” records “supports for the elderly’s ailments and health preservation methods for the elderly,” including 30 medicinal porridge recipes. Qu Mo Zhou is one such recipe selected from Duoneng Bishi, Volume Four.

[Porridge Composition] 10-15 grams of Massa Medicata Fermentata, an appropriate amount of japonica rice.

[Efficacy and Indications] Strengthen the Spleen and stomach, aid digestion. Suitable for indigestion, difficulty in digesting food accumulation, belching with foul odor and sour regurgitation, abdominal distension and oppression, and diarrhea.

[Decoction Method] First crush Massa Medicata Fermentata (Shen Qu), decoct it to obtain the medicinal juice, then remove the dregs. Add polished round-grained rice (Jing Mi) and cook together into a thin porridge.

[Explanation of Porridge Efficacy] Shenqu, also known as Liuqu, is a fermented preparation made by crushing and mixing fresh Artemisia annua, fresh Xanthium sibiricum, fresh Polygonum hydropiper, red adzuki beans, and almonds, then blending them evenly with wheat bran and white flour, followed by fermentation. It is one of the most commonly used finished medicinal products in traditional Chinese medicine for harmonizing the Spleen and stomach and aiding digestion. Ming Dynasty’s Li Shizhen stated in Compendium of Materia Medica that it can “aid digestion, helps with occasional flatulence, eliminate phlegm and counterflow qi, supports cholera, diarrhea, and abdominal distension.” Due to its wide range of effects, ancient physicians often used it to supports various wellness. For example, Ben Cao Shu records: “It supports heatstroke, dietary injuries, fatigue, malaria qi, abdominal mass, edema, disperses fullness and accumulations, supports phlegm-fluid cough, vomiting and regurgitation, cholera, blood stasis, Heart pain, stomach pain, flank pain, numbness and paralysis, dizziness, heaviness of the body, loss of appetite, and jaundice.” In modern traditional Chinese medicine applications, it is primarily used to aid digestion and increase appetite, supports conditions such as deficiency of both the Spleen and stomach, weak digestive power, lack of appetite, belching with foul odor after overeating, diarrhea, enteritis, and dysentery. As stated in Duoneng Bishi, Volume 4: “Qu Mo Zhou (Shenqu Porridge) supports elderly individuals with Spleen deficiency and indigestion, with unstable diarrhea. Roast Shenqu, pound it into a powder (2 liang), mix with 4 he of green millet, cook into porridge, consume on an empty stomach; regular consumption is excellent for warming the middle.”

According to modern research, Shenqu is a type of yeast preparation that contains vitamin B complex, enzymes, ergosterol, proteins, and fats. Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica states, “Shenqu promotes digestive function through its fermentation action.” Additionally, during the decoction process, it can be combined with Chinese medicinal herbs such as Gu Mai Ya (malted barley) and Shan Zha (hawthorn fruit) to decoct the juice and cook porridge, thereby enhancing digestive power.

[Precautions] Qumo porridge should be consumed warm, with a course of supports lasting 2 to 3 days. In addition, there are other varieties of traditional Chinese medicine such as Jianqu and Caiyunqu, which are processed by adding other traditional Chinese herbs on the basis of Liuqu. Besides aiding digestion, they can also supports common cold due to wind-cold. For patients with chest tightness caused by food stagnation after exposure to cold, Jianqu or Caiyunqu can be selected to make porridge for consumption.

[Reference Materials]

[Porridge Recipes · Porridge Type 1 · Cereals]: “Red yeast rice porridge promotes blood circulation and aids digestion; Divine Comedy (Shenqu) porridge resolves food stagnation, moves qi downward, and dispels epidemic pathogens; Millet sprout porridge is made by hulling, stir-frying, and grinding the sprouts before adding them to the porridge; it aids digestion and helps with occasional stuffiness and bloating.”