Immortal Porridge

[Zun Sheng Ba Jian]

The author of this book, Gao Lian, styled himself Shenfu and was also known as the Hermit Ruinan. He hailed from Qiantang (present-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province) and was a playwright of the Ming Dynasty. In addition to leaving behind dramatic works and collections of poems and essays, his miscellaneous treatise Zunsheng Bajian (Eight Treatises on Nurturing Life) stands as a significant text in the field of traditional Chinese medicine health preservation. Gao believed that diet constitutes a crucial aspect of health preservation, stating, “Diet is the foundation of sustaining life. Within the human body, the interplay of yin and yang and the mutual generation of the five elements all stem from diet. Therefore, when diet is adequate, the qi derived from grains is abundant; when this qi is abundant, blood and vital energy flourish; when blood and vital energy flourish, physical strength is robust… Through diet, qi is nourished; from nourished qi, essence is replenished; from replenished essence, qi is further strengthened; when qi is sufficient, spirit is generated; and when spirit is abundant, the entire body is preserved. These elements mutually support and depend on one another… This is the way to achieve health preservation.” The book includes a total of 38 medicinal porridge recipes, with “Immortal Porridge” being selected from Volume 11, under the category of porridges.

[Porridge Composition] Prepared Polygonum multiflorum 30-60 grams, 2 liang of japonica rice, 3-5 red jujubes, and an appropriate amount of brown sugar.

[Indications and Effects] Tonifies qi and blood, nourishes Liver and Kidney. Suitable for Liver and Kidney deficiency, premature graying of hair and beard, dizziness and tinnitus due to blood deficiency, weakness of the waist and knees, dry and hard stool, as well as hyperlipidemia, coronary atherosclerotic Heart wellness, neurasthenia, hypertension, etc.

[Decoction Method] Decoct prepared Polygonum multiflorum to obtain a concentrated decoction, strain out the dregs, then add the decoction together with japonica rice and red dates into a sand pot to make porridge. When the porridge is almost done, add a small amount of brown sugar or rock sugar for seasoning, and then boil it for one or two more boils.

Explanation of the Congee: Immortal Congee is also known as Polygonum Multiflorum Congee. It is said to be named so because Polygonum Multiflorum is believed to prolong life and, with long-term use, can lead one to “become an immortal”. In Zunsheng Bajian (Eight Treatises on Nourishing Life), it is recorded: “Immortal Congee. The red Polygonum Multiflorum is male, while the white one is female, with the larger ones being preferred. When collecting the larger ones, avoid contact with iron. Use a bamboo knife to scrape off the skin, cut into slices, and store. For each use, take five qian (a traditional Chinese unit of weight), boil until soft in a sand pot, then add three he (a traditional Chinese unit of volume) of white rice to make congee.” In traditional Chinese medicine, Polygonum Multiflorum is considered an excellent medicine for nourishing the Liver, replenishing the Kidneys, and enriching the blood. As recorded by Li Shizhen in the Compendium of Materia Medica during the Ming Dynasty: “Polygonum Multiflorum can nourish the blood and benefit the Liver, consolidate essence and replenish the Kidneys, strengthen the sinews and bones, and darken the beard and hair, making it an excellent tonic medicine.” Many ancient elixirs for prolonging life, such as the Elixir for Prolonging Life and Immortality, Seven-Treasure Beard-Darkening Elixir, Cuixian Pill, and Polygonum Multiflorum Life-Prolonging Elixir, all have Polygonum Multiflorum as their main ingredient. This is because it not only has tonic and strengthening effects but also plays a certain role in helps maintain cardiovascular wellness in the elderly. Modern medicine has discovered that Polygonum Multiflorum contains lecithin, which has a strengthening effect on the nerves, can helps with occasional the formation of atherosclerosis, and helps maintain lipids from stagnating in the serum or permeating into the arterial intima. Its mechanism may be related to the effects of the lecithin it contains. Pharmacological experiments have been conducted on rabbits, showing that Polygonum Multiflorum can inhibit the increase in serum cholesterol in experimental rabbits and reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the rabbit intestine. Cooking Polygonum Multiflorum with japonica rice to make congee and consuming it regularly can enhance the effects of nourishing the Liver and Kidneys and replenishing essence and blood.

[Precautions] Take Xianren Porridge for a course of supports lasting 7 to 10 days, consuming it 1 to 2 times a day. After completing a course, wait 5 days before starting another one. Alternatively, it can be consumed at will without being restricted by the course duration. For the selected Polygonum Multiflorum (Fo-Ti), those with large size, firm and heavy texture are preferred. Since Polygonum Multiflorum contains anthraquinone derivatives that can promote intestinal peristalsis and have a laxative effect, individuals with loose stools should not consume it. Additionally, during the period of consuming Xianren Porridge, avoid eating green onions and garlic, and do not use an iron pot for cooking.

[Reference Materials]

[Porridge Recipes · Porridge Variety Six · Herbal Medicine Category]: “Polygonum Multiflorum Porridge. It is beneficial for preserving youthful appearance, nourishing the Kidneys, and promoting fertility. It is particularly effective in supports sores.”

[Popular Medicine] Issue 7, 1980: “Polygonum Multiflorum Porridge: Take 30 grams of prepared Polygonum multiflorum (Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) Harald.), decoct it to obtain a concentrated liquid, remove the dregs, and add rice to make porridge. It is suitable for elderly individuals with hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, and constipation.”