Buxu Zhengqi Porridge

Taiping Huifang Recipes

This book stands as one of the monumental medical works of the Song Dynasty, compiled by the official government and finalized during the Zhenghe period (1111-1117 AD). It was compiled by gathering effective folk supports and medical prescriptions contributed by physicians of that era, and integrating them with secret recipes from the “imperial library.” The therapeutic effects of the prescriptions are generally reliable, which is why later physicians held it in high esteem. The compiler of this book placed significant emphasis on dietary therapy, believing that “humans rely on food for nourishment, so whenever there is a health issue, dietary therapy should be the first approach, as food can expel pathogenic factors and preserve vital energy.” It was also noted that “the foundation of well-being depends on food; without knowledge of proper diet, survival is not possible.” This section contains a total of 113 medicinal porridge recipes, and the Buxu Zhengqi Porridge is selected from Volume 189 under the category of dietary therapy.

Ingredients of the Porridge Recipe: 30-60 grams of Astragali Radix Preparata, 3-5 grams of Ginseng (or 15-30 grams of Codonopsis Pilosulae), a small amount of white sugar, and 60-90 grams of coarsely ground rice.

Efficacy and Indications: Tonifies vital qi, supports deficiency and injury, strengthens the Spleen and stomach, and resists aging. It is applicable for internal injury due to overstrain, deficiency and decline of the five zang organs, frailty in old age, emaciation from chronic wellness, palpitations and shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating due to deficiency, chronic diarrhea, chronic dysentery caused by Spleen deficiency, poor appetite, edema due to qi deficiency, and all syndromes of qi decline and blood deficiency.

Decoction Method: First, slice Astragali Radix (Huangqi) and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen, alternatively Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen)) into thin pieces and soak them in cold water for half an hour. Next, place them in an earthenware pot, bring to a boil, and then simmer over low heat to create a concentrated decoction. After taking the first decoction, add cold water again and repeat the same process to obtain a second decoction. Strain out the dregs, combine the first and second decoctions, and divide the mixture into two portions. Each morning and evening, cook the decoction with an appropriate amount of water and Nongli (coarse rice) to make porridge. After the porridge is cooked, add a small amount of white sugar and simmer briefly before serving. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma can also be ground into powder and mixed into the Astragali Radix porridge for decoction and consumption.

Explanation of Congee Efficacy: Astragali Radix (Huang Qi) and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) are two well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herbs among the general public, both of which possess excellent tonifying and strengthening properties.

Astragalus membranaceus is considered the most potent among qi-tonifying herbs, hence it is also called “Qi” (pronounced as qí). Traditional Chinese medicine holds that Astragalus membranaceus has strong tonifying effects and was classified as a “superior-grade herb” in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Classic of the Materia Medica) as early as ancient times. The Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians states that it “tonifies deficiency and damage in men, and supports the five types of labor-induced emaciation and weakness.” The Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (Materia Medica by Ri Hua Zi) says, “Astragalus membranaceus assists qi, strengthens sinews and bones, builds flesh, and nourishes blood.” The Ben Cao Bei Yao (Essentials of Materia Medica) also mentions that it “benefits primordial qi and strengthens the Spleen and stomach.” It is ideally suited for all conditions of qi deficiency and blood vacuity, such as internal injury and fatigue, Spleen-deficiency diarrhea, rectal prolapse, qi deficiency with blood loss, and abnormal uterine bleeding or leukorrhea in women. According to modern pharmacological analysis, in addition to sucrose, glucuronic acid, and mucilage, Astragalus membranaceus also contains various amino acids. Experiments have demonstrated that Astragalus membranaceus has significant strengthening effects, showing a good enhancing effect on normal Heart contraction and an even more pronounced cardiotonic effect on fatigued and failing Hearts. It also possesses sustained diuretic function and has certain efficacy in eliminating urinary protein. Yue Meizhong, a renowned contemporary traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, creatively adapted an ancient porridge recipe for modern use. Building upon the “Astragalus membranaceus porridge” for supports edema from the Qing Dynasty’s Lu Dingpu’s records, and combining it with his own clinical experience, he formulated a new compound Astragalus membranaceus porridge for supports the later stages of chronic nephritis, achieving remarkable results.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a relatively precious qi-tonifying herb. Physicians throughout the dynasties have stated that it can “powerfully replenish primordial qi.” The Classic of the Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing) describes it as “primarily nourishing the five zang organs, improving eyesight and enhancing intelligence, and with prolonged use, it lightens the body and prolongs life.” The Discussion on the Properties of Medicinals (Yao Xing Lun) also states: “It primarily supports deficiencies of the five zang organs, the five types of fatigue and the seven types of damage, as well as general debility and emaciation.” It is used for all conditions involving deficiencies of qi, blood, and body fluids, and can achieve good tonifying and strengthening effects. In ancient times, there were also many recipes for ginseng congee, where ginseng was simply boiled with rice to supports conditions of debility. Modern clinical research has confirmed that ginseng has multiple effects on the human body. It can enhance the body’s immune function, increase resistance to wellness, regulate cholesterol metabolism, and inhibit the occurrence of hypercholesterolemia. Additionally, it can strengthen the Heart’s contractile capacity, stimulate the function of the nervous system, and stimulate hematopoietic organs, among other effects. Due to the high price and relatively scarce supply of ginseng, codonopsis root (Codonopsis pilosula), which has similar efficacy but is much cheaper, can be used as a substitute.

Cooking porridge with Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) and Panax ginseng (Ren Shen) along with japonica rice further enhances their qi-tonifying and strengthening effects, making it suitable for all types of debility syndromes. Japonica rice itself also has the functions of tonifying the Spleen and stomach, and nourishing qi and blood. When cooked together as porridge, it not only produces a synergistic effect but also aids in the digestion and absorption of ginseng and astragalus in the gastrointestinal tract. In the Song Dynasty’s “Comprehensive Record of Holy Benevolence, Volume 189, Dietary Therapy Section”, there is the following record: “For supports various types of dysentery, watery diarrhea, cholera, and post-hemorrhagic collapse with loss of consciousness, the Porridge Recipe for Tonifying Deficiency and Rectifying Qi is recommended. Take two liang of finely ground Astragalus membranaceus, one liang of Panax ginseng, and rice…”

Combine the latter two [herbs], take the right amount of these three ingredients, crush the latter two into pieces the size of sesame seeds or peas, add three liters of water, decoct them together to obtain two liters of liquid, strain out the dregs, add rice, cook into porridge and consume.

Precautions: Bu Xu Zheng Qi Congee is used for all deficiency-related conditions and can be consumed on an empty stomach for breakfast or dinner. During the period of consuming the congee, it is best to avoid eating radishes and drinking tea. Those with heat syndromes or excessive heat conditions should avoid taking it. The dosage should be adjusted according to individual circumstances, with a course of supports lasting 3 to 5 days, followed by a break of 2 to 3 days before resuming consumption.

Reference Materials

Shi Jian Ben Cao (Food Inspection Materia Medica): “To supports regurgitation with sour vomitus and post-wellness Spleen weakness. Use five qian each of ginseng powder and ginger juice, and one he of millet to cook porridge, and consume it on an empty stomach.”

Records of Dietary Differentiation, Volume II: “Ginseng Congee is indicated for all syndromes of qi deficiency in the Spleen and Lung.”

From Collection of Medical Cases by Yue Meizhong: “supports of chronic nephritis in the advanced stage with Astragalus Porridge… This formula is an adaptation of the Astragalus Porridge recorded in Lenglu Yihua by Lu Yitian: 30 grams of raw Astragali Radix (Huangqi), 30 grams of raw Coicis Semen (Yiyiren), 15 grams of Phaseoli Semen Rubei (Chixiaodou), 9 grams of Gallus Gallus Domesticus Gizzard Membrane (fine powder, Jineijin), two pieces of Fortunella Margarita Cake (Jinjubing), and 30 grams of Oryza Sativa (Nuomi). First, boil 360 milliliters of water with Astragali Radix for 20 minutes, then remove the dregs. Next, add Coicis Semen and Phaseoli Semen Rubei and boil for another 30 minutes. Then, add Gallus Gallus Domesticus Gizzard Membrane and Oryza Sativa and cook until it forms a porridge. This is the daily dosage, to be taken in two divided doses after meals, with one Fortunella Margarita Cake chewed and swallowed after each serving. One dose is taken daily. This formula has a relatively high therapeutic effect on residual edema from chronic nephritis and pyelonephritis and is also effective in eliminating urinary protein. It is most suitable for use in cases of Kidney yang deficiency and weakened Kidney qi. It should not be used in cases of Kidney Yin Deficiency, characterized by a thin and rapid pulse and a red or crimson tongue.”