Fructus Mume Congee

[Comprehensive Record of Holy Benevolence]

[Ingredients of the Porridge] 15-20 grams of Fructus Mume, 2 liang of japonica rice, appropriate amount of rock sugar.

[Efficacy and Indications] Promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst, astringe the Lung to stop coughing, astringe the intestine to check diarrhea, and calm roundworms to helps with occasional pain. It is applicable for chronic persistent cough, chronic diarrhea, chronic dysentery, hematochezia, hematuria, thirst due to deficient heat, and dry mouth and thirst in summer.

[Decoction Method] First, decoct Fructus Mume (Wumei) to obtain a concentrated juice and remove the dregs. Then, add Japonica Rice (Jingmi) to cook into porridge. After the porridge is cooked, add a small amount of Rock Sugar and cook for a short while before serving.

[Explanation of Congee Ingredients] Dark plum, also known as green plum, is the immature fruit of the Prunus mume, a plant from the Rosaceae family. It is produced throughout China. For medicinal use, the preferred dark plums are large in size, thick in flesh, small in pit, with a dark purple-black outer skin, and an extremely sour taste.

When it comes to dark plum, people can’t help but feel their mouth watering. The story of Cao Cao “quenching thirst by looking at plums” has been passed down through the ages, which is known as “conditional reflex” in medicine. This is because dark plum contains citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, etc., which can stimulate the hyperfunction of salivary secretion.

Traditional Chinese medicine holds that “sour and sweet flavors generate yin,” meaning that consuming sour and sweet substances can increase bodily fluids. Therefore, cooking porridge with dark plum (Fructus Mume) and rock sugar has the effect of promoting fluid production and quenching thirst, and can be used for conditions characterized by Yin Deficiency with internal heat, such as dry mouth and restless thirst. According to the principle that “sour flavors have astringent and consolidating properties,” dark plum can also astringe the Lungs and bind the intestines. Astringing the Lungs helps to stop coughing and is used for persistent cough with scanty sputum; binding the intestines helps to stop diarrhea and can supports Spleen deficiency diarrhea, persistent dysentery, and chronic hematochezia.

Dark plum porridge is sweet and sour and delicious. The original recipe comes from [Comprehensive Record of Holy Benevolence · Volume 190 · Food Therapy Section · Food Therapy for Various Large Intestine wellness] in the Song Dynasty: “For supports hematochezia due to intestinal wind and thirst, dark plum porridge recipe. Take seven crushed dark plums and an unspecified amount of cleaned millet. Soak these two ingredients in eight sheng of water overnight, remove the dark plums, and use the resulting liquid to cook the porridge. Consume it in one sitting on an empty stomach every day.” The so-called “hematochezia due to intestinal wind” refers to the presence of blood in the stool.

Modern medical research has found that Fructus Mume (dark plum) has significant antibacterial effects, inhibiting Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and other bacteria. According to clinical reports, in addition to using Fructus Mume alone to supports bacterial dysentery, it can also be used for intestinal parasitic wellness. In traditional Chinese medicine, “Wumei Pill” is an effective and well-known formula primarily based on Fructus Mume for expelling roundworms and relieving pain. Since Fructus Mume tastes sour, and “roundworms become inactive when encountering sour substances,” it can supports abdominal pain caused by worm accumulation.

[Precautions] Black plum porridge, when used to helps with occasional cough, stop diarrhea, and check dysentery, is only suitable for patients with chronic and long-standing conditions. It is contraindicated in cases of acute diarrhea and dysentery, as well as cough due to the common cold.

[Reference Materials]

[Porridge Recipes · Porridge Types IV · Wood and Fruit Category]: “Green plum porridge astringes the Lung and stops diarrhea. Black plum porridge helps with occasional summer heat and contains qi.”

Q1: What is Fructus Mume congee good for?

A1: Fructus Mume congee is traditionally used to promote the production of body fluids, quench thirst, astringe the lung to stop coughing, astringe the intestine to check diarrhea, and calm roundworms to alleviate occasional pain. It is particularly suitable for conditions such as chronic persistent cough, chronic diarrhea, chronic dysentery, hematochezia, hematuria, and thirst due to deficiency.

Q2: How to make Fructus Mume congee from the Comprehensive Record of Holy Benevolence?

A2: According to the Comprehensive Record of Holy Benevolence, the recipe for Fructus Mume congee uses 15-20 grams of Fructus Mume, 2 liang (approximately 100 grams) of japonica rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. The preparation involves simmering the Fructus Mume with the rice and sugar until the congee is thick and well-blended, following traditional methods to extract the medicinal properties.

Q3: What are the health benefits of Fructus Mume congee?

A3: The health benefits of Fructus Mume congee include promoting body fluid production, relieving thirst, stopping chronic cough, and checking diarrhea. It also helps astringe the intestines to alleviate conditions like chronic dysentery and hematochezia, and can calm roundworms to reduce associated pain. These effects make it valuable for digestive and respiratory health.

Q4: Can Fructus Mume congee help with digestion and appetite?

A4: Yes, Fructus Mume congee is beneficial for digestion and appetite due to its ability to astringe the intestine and check diarrhea, which helps regulate bowel movements. Additionally, by promoting body fluid production and quenching thirst, it can improve overall appetite and support digestive function, particularly in cases of chronic diarrhea or thirst-related appetite loss.

Q5: Why is Fructus Mume congee recommended for chronic cough and diarrhea?

A5: Fructus Mume congee is recommended for chronic cough and diarrhea because its astringent properties help stop both persistent coughing and excessive bowel movements. It astringes the lung to reduce cough and astringes the intestine to check diarrhea, making it especially effective for chronic conditions as noted in traditional texts like the Comprehensive Record of Holy Benevolence.

Q6: Are there any specific indications for using Fructus Mume congee according to traditional Chinese medicine?

A6: According to traditional Chinese medicine, Fructus Mume congee is indicated for chronic persistent cough, chronic diarrhea, chronic dysentery, hematochezia, hematuria, and thirst due to deficiency. It is also used to calm roundworms and help with occasional pain, aligning with its properties of promoting body fluids and astringing the lungs and intestines as described in the Comprehensive Record of Holy Benevolence.