Shi Jian Ben Cao
The author of this book, Fei Boxiong, styled himself Jinqing, was a native of Wujin in the Qing Dynasty. He was highly skilled in medicine, “renowned throughout the north and south of Jiangnan, having saved many lives, though most of his works were destroyed in wars.” Fei’s residence was by the Menghe River near the Yangtze. As “patients came in a continuous stream for consultations, his neighborhood gradually became a prosperous area.” Later generations highly praised him, saying, “Among the physicians of Jiangnan in the late Qing Dynasty, Boxiong was the most prominent.” Throughout his life, Fei was diligent in clinical practice, advocating the principles of “learning from the ancients without being bound by them” and “avoiding eccentricity and novelty,” demonstrating flexibility in adapting effective ancient formulas. In particular, he delved deeply into dietary therapy, believing that, “Zhang Zhongjing supports typhoid fever while also adjusting the diet accordingly. How much more so for the condition of consumptive wellness, where dietary nourishment is as important as medicinal supports? Common practitioners only understand the use of medications and are already self-satisfied, unaware that appropriate dietary nourishment can eliminate the need for medication. Even when medication is necessary, it must be complemented by diet to achieve complete success.” Fei excelled in managing chronic consumptive wellness, and the secret to his success lay precisely in the guidance of the aforementioned dietary therapy philosophy. “He was unwilling to have patients take excessive medications or consult numerous physicians. Therefore, except for cases with changing conditions, his tonic formulas could be taken for dozens or even hundreds of doses, or even for a lifetime. He hoped that patients could achieve pre-wellness and post-wellness effects through appropriate dietary nourishment.” His book Shi Jian Ben Cao (Food Inspection Materia Medica) “includes all types of grains, vegetables, fruits, and livestock, with detailed and well-reasoned descriptions of each.” It contains 30 medicinal porridge recipes, classified into nine categories: “wind,” “cold,” “summer heat,” “dampness,” “dryness,” “qi,” “blood,” “phlegm,” and “deficiency.” Evodia Rutaecarpa Porridge is selected from the “cold category porridges” in this book.
[Porridge Composition] 2 grams of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth (common name: Evodia fruit), 30 grams of japonica rice, two slices of ginger, two stalks of scallion.
[Efficacy and Indications] Tonify the Spleen, warm the stomach, warm the middle-jiao and disperse cold, helps with occasional pain and stop vomiting. Applicable for cold pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, vomiting and acid regurgitation, vomiting and diarrhea due to middle-jiao cold.
[Decoction Method] Grind Evodia rutaecarpa (Wu Zhu Yu) into a fine powder. First, cook congee with japonica rice. After the rice is cooked, add the Evodia rutaecarpa powder, fresh ginger, and scallion greens, and continue cooking together to make congee.
[Explanation of Congee Benefits] Evodia rutaecarpa, abbreviated as Evodia, refers to the immature fruits of the Rutaceae shrub Evodia rutaecarpa. Evodia has been used in medicine in China for over two thousand years. Its functions include warming the middle-jiao and dispersing cold, descending rebellious qi, and stopping vomiting. It is commonly used to supports stomach pain, vomiting, or acid regurgitation caused by Liver-stomach disharmony, as well as cold abdominal pain, borborygmus, and diarrhea due to Spleen deficiency and stomach cold. Its effects in relieving pain and stopping vomiting are particularly notable. According to Shijian Bencao (Food Inspection Herbal), “To supports persistent cold-induced Heart pain, abdominal and flank distension, and restlessness while sitting or lying down, use two parts of Evodia rutaecarpa, boil it with rice to make congee, and consume it.” When Evodia is used to make congee, on one hand, its strong aroma, bitter and slightly pungent taste, and multiple volatile oils can reduce its irritation to the gastrointestinal tract when consumed as congee. On the other hand, boiling it into congee can delay its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, allowing it to gradually exert its warming and stomach-warming effects without being “too transient.” Combined with japonica rice and seasonings such as ginger and scallion whites, it can also nourish the Spleen and stomach, achieving the effect of warming the middle-jiao and tonifying deficiency.
[Precautions] Due to the strong odor and potent warmth-promoting effect of Evodia rutaecarpa (Wu Zhu Yu), the dosage should not be excessive and it is advisable to start with a small amount. Take it for a course of supports lasting 3 to 5 days, consuming it in the morning and evening. It is contraindicated for patients with all heat syndromes, excess syndromes, or Yin Deficiency with excessive fire.
[Reference Materials]
[Prescriptions from the Imperial Pharmacy · Volume 189 · Food Therapy Section]: “For supports cold qi in the Heart and abdomen causing pain in the flanks and ribs, Evodia Rutaecarpa Porridge Recipe. Evodia Rutaecarpa (Fructus Evodiae), soak in water to remove saliva, dry by roasting, then pound into a powder, half a liang; rice, three he. For the above two ingredients, first use two sheng of water, add rice along with scallions and fermented soybeans, and cook together. After cooked, add one fen of Evodia powder and a small amount of salt. Consume on an empty stomach.”
[Shiyi Xinjian · On Various Prescriptions for supports Cold Pain in the Heart and Abdomen through Dietary Therapy]: “Prescription for supports cold qi in the Heart and abdomen, as well as stabbing pain in the ribs from the Heart. Two fen of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth powder, two he of rice, and a handful of chopped scallion whites. First, cook the rice porridge until done, then add the scallion whites and Evodia rutaecarpa powder, mix well, and consume on an empty stomach.”
[Compendium of Materia Medica · Volume 25]: “Cornus officinalis porridge supports abdominal and cardiac pain.”
[Porridge Recipes · Porridge Varieties V · Herbal Category]: “Evodia rutaecarpa porridge, supports cardiac and abdominal convulsions; seven grains are sufficient for relief.”
Q1: What is evodia rutaecarpa porridge used for in Chinese herbalism?
A1: In Chinese herbalism, evodia rutaecarpa porridge is primarily used for its warming and dispersing properties to treat cold-related digestive disorders, such as epigastric pain, vomiting, and diarrhea due to spleen-stomach cold. According to Shi Jian Ben Cao by Fei Boxiong, this porridge is especially valued for harmonizing the middle jiao and expelling internal cold.
Q2: Can evodia rutaecarpa porridge help with digestion?
A2: Yes, evodia rutaecarpa porridge can help with digestion by warming the spleen and stomach, alleviating cold-type indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners often recommend it for poor appetite and loose stools caused by cold in the digestive tract.
Q3: What are the health benefits of evodia rutaecarpa porridge in traditional Chinese medicine?
A3: The health benefits of evodia rutaecarpa porridge in traditional Chinese medicine include improving circulation, dispelling cold, strengthening the digestive system, and relieving pain associated with cold stagnation. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with cold hands and feet or weak digestion, as noted in historical texts like Shi Jian Ben Cao.
Q4: How is evodia rutaecarpa porridge prepared according to traditional methods?
A4: Traditionally, evodia rutaecarpa porridge is prepared by simmering dried Evodia rutaecarpa fruit with rice, often adding ginger to enhance its warming effect. The mixture is cooked until the rice is soft and the medicinal properties are fully infused, creating a soothing congee for digestive health.
Q5: Is evodia rutaecarpa porridge safe for daily consumption?
A5: While evodia rutaecarpa porridge is generally safe when used appropriately, daily consumption is not recommended due to its strong warming nature. Overuse may lead to side effects such as dryness or heat symptoms, so it is best to use it under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
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