Gardeniae Fructus Congee

[Health Preservation through Food Appraisal]

[Ingredients of the Porridge] Fructus Gardeniae 3-5 grams, 30-60 grams of non-glutinous rice.

[Indications and Effects] Clearing heat and purging fire. Applicable for red and swollen eyes with pain, acute conjunctivitis, jaundice hepatitis, and cholecystitis.

[Boiling Method] Grind the gardenia seeds into a fine powder. First, boil the japonica rice into a thin porridge. When the porridge is almost done, stir in the gardenia seed powder and cook for a short while.

[Explanation of Congee Efficacy] Gardeniae Fructus has many ancient names in classical texts. It is called “Mudan” in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, “Xianzhi” in Shang Lin Fu, “Xiaotao” in Guang Ya, and “Linlan” in Xie Kangle Ji. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners often use it to supports red eyes, sore throat, hemoptysis, bloody dysentery, hematuria, jaundice, and heat-toxin sores and ulcers.

The use of Gardenia jasminoides (Shan Zhi) to make porridge for consumption has been recorded by predecessors. For example, in the Qing Dynasty, He Kedong wrote in Yang Sheng Shi Jian (Health Preservation and Food Inspection, Volume II): “Zhizi porridge, for supports red and painful eyes due to heat. Cook one or two he of rice into porridge, and when it is nearly done, add one qian of ground Gardenia jasminoides seeds, mix well and consume.” In addition, in the Song Dynasty, Chen Zhi recorded in Yang Lao Feng Qin Shu (Books on Supporting the Elderly by Their Kin, Chapter XIV on Food Therapy for Various wellness in the Elderly, Section on Food Therapy for Eye Conditions) the use of Gardenia jasminoides seed porridge to supports red and astringent eye pain in the elderly. Although Gardenia jasminoides has a significant effect in clearing heat and fire, it is bitter in taste and cold in nature. Bitter and cold herbs are prone to injuring the stomach. Therefore, ancient medical practitioners adopted the method of making porridge for consumption, which can not only achieve the effect of clearing heat and toxin to supports eye wellness but also reduce adverse stimulation to the stomach. This is the wonderful use of Gardenia jasminoides seed porridge. Additionally, it can also be used as an adjuvant therapy for jaundice hepatitis and acute cholecystitis.

[Precautions] Gardenia Seed Porridge should be taken for a course of 2 to 3 days, with two servings per day. It should not be taken for a long time or in large quantities. People with chronic diarrhea should avoid using it.

[Reference Materials]

[Prescriptions from the Great Peace for Benevolent Relief · Volume 97 · Various Prescriptions for supports Eye Pain Through Diet]: “For supports fever with red, dry, and painful eyes, there is the Gardeniae Fructus Immaturus porridge prescription. Take one liang of Gardeniae Fructus Immaturus, crush and sift it into a fine powder, and divide it into four portions. Cook porridge with three he of rice. When the porridge is nearly done, add one portion of the Gardeniae Fructus Immaturus powder, stir well, and consume it.”

[Sheng Ji Zong Lu · Volume 190 · Food Therapy Section · Food Therapy for Back Sores and Carbuncles]: “For supports back sores and carbuncles with excessive heat attacking upwards, resulting in dry eyes and red urine, here is the recipe for Gardenia Seed Porridge. Take five gardenia seeds (Fructus Gardeniae) and five sheng of white rice. First, boil the gardenia seeds in three sheng of water until two sheng remain. Strain out the dregs, then add the rice to cook the porridge. When cooked, consume it on an empty stomach.”

Q1: what is gardeniae fructus congee used for

A1: Gardeniae fructus congee is used for clearing heat and purging fire. It is particularly effective for conditions such as red and swollen eyes with pain, acute conjunctivitis, jaundice hepatitis, and cholecystitis.

Q2: how to make gardeniae fructus congee

A2: To make gardeniae fructus congee, first grind 3-5 grams of gardenia seeds into a fine powder. Then, cook 30-60 grams of non-glutinous rice into a thin porridge. When the porridge is almost done, stir in the gardenia seed powder and continue cooking briefly.

Q3: gardeniae fructus congee recipe with rice

A3: The recipe for gardeniae fructus congee with rice involves using 3-5 grams of Fructus Gardeniae and 30-60 grams of non-glutinous rice. The rice is boiled into a thin porridge, and before it is fully cooked, the ground gardenia seed powder is stirred in. This congee is taken for its heat-clearing and fire-purging effects.

Q4: can gardeniae fructus congee treat jaundice hepatitis

A4: Yes, gardeniae fructus congee can be used as a dietary therapy for jaundice hepatitis due to its ability to clear heat and purge fire. The congee helps alleviate symptoms associated with liver and gallbladder heat conditions.

Q5: is gardeniae fructus congee good for eye inflammation

A5: Yes, gardeniae fructus congee is beneficial for eye inflammation such as red and swollen eyes with pain and acute conjunctivitis. Its heat-clearing and fire-purging properties help reduce inflammation and discomfort.