Leek Porridge

Compendium of Materia Medica

[Porridge Composition] 30-60 grams of fresh Chinese chives, or 5-10 grams of chive seeds, 2 liang of japonica rice, and a small amount of refined salt.

[Efficacy and Indications] Tonify the Kidney and strengthen yang, consolidate essence and stop spermatorrhea, invigorate the Spleen and warm the stomach. It is applicable for cold pain in the abdomen, diarrhea or constipation, chronic dysentery due to cold-deficiency, dysphagia and regurgitation, impotence, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea with turbid discharge, frequent urination, enuresis in children, excessive leucorrhea in women, cold and soreness in the loins and knees, menstrual pain, and incessant metrorrhagia caused by yang-deficiency of the Spleen and Kidney.

[Boiling Method] Take fresh Chinese chives, wash and chop them finely. (Alternatively, take Chinese chive seeds and grind them into a fine powder.) First, boil the japonica rice into porridge. When the porridge starts to boil, add the chopped Chinese chives or the fine powder of Chinese chive seeds, along with refined salt, and continue to boil until it becomes a thin porridge.

[Explanation of Congee Efficacy] Chinese chives are a highly favored vegetable. In ancient medical books, they are also called tonifying yang herb and yang-activating herb. As the names suggest, they are also an effective medicine for warming and tonifying the Kidney yang.

Leek is warm in nature and pungent and sweet in flavor, and enters the Liver, Spleen, stomach, and Kidney meridians. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that leek leaves have the functions of warming and tonifying Kidney yang and consolidating essence to helps maintain seminal emission. Therefore, Compendium of Materia Medica states that “Leek porridge warms the middle and warms the lower part of the body.” It is effective in supports signs of imbalance caused by insufficient Kidney yang, such as impotence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission, enuresis, frequent and clear urination, leukorrhea, vaginal discharge, and cold pain in the waist and knees. Additionally, since leek leaves can warm the Spleen and stomach, they are also quite beneficial for signs of imbalance such as cold deficiency of the Spleen and stomach, chronic diarrhea, prolonged diarrhea due to severe cold, cold pain in the abdomen, dysphagia, and nausea. Modern medicine believes that leek contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamin C, minerals, and sulfides. It is a stimulating tonic with stomach-strengthening, refreshing, and warming effects. It has antiseptic and bactericidal functions in the intestines and can thus supports enteritis and dysentery. Leek contains a relatively large amount of crude fiber. Due to the stimulation of crude fiber on the intestines, it enhances intestinal peristalsis, thereby promoting defecation. Therefore, it is also helpful for chronic constipation due to yang deficiency.

In addition, semen allii tuberosi also has significant functions of nourishing the Liver and Kidney, warming the waist and knees, fortifying yang, and consolidating essence. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is commonly used to supports conditions caused by insufficient Kidney yang, such as impotence, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea, enuresis, clear and profuse urine, cold and soreness in the waist and knees, chronic diarrhea and dysentery due to deficiency-cold, and leukorrhea in women. Therefore, ancient physicians and the general public have extensive experience and records of using semen allii tuberosi in porridge to supports the aforementioned conditions.

[Precautions] It is advisable to use fresh leeks to make porridge, and consume it immediately after cooking. Do not eat porridge that has been left overnight. Patients with Yin Deficiency and internal heat, those with sores and ulcers on the body, as well as those with eye wellness, should avoid eating leeks or leek seed porridge. It is also not suitable for consumption during the hot summer season.

[Reference Materials]

[Qian Jin Fang · Dietary Therapy]: “To support seminal emission due to consumptive conditions, take 120 grams of Semen Allii Tuberosi (jiu cai zi, Chinese chive seeds) and 180 grams of rice (dao mi). Boil these two ingredients with 1,020 milliliters of water until it becomes like porridge. Take 360 milliliters of the juice and divide it into three doses for consumption.”

[Danxi’s Methods of supports]: “For injuries from falls or blows located in the upper part of the body, it is advisable to drink leek juice or consume it mixed with porridge.”

Shiyi Xinjian (Dietetic Therapy Prescriptions for Mental Comfort): “To stop dysentery caused by improper intake of grains and water, make congee or soup with leeks. Consume as desired.”

[Dietary Therapy Guide]: “Leek porridge warms the middle and warms the lower part of the body, and is mainly used for supports coldness and weakness in the waist and knees. Cook leek with rice to make porridge, with no fixed quantity.”

Tonic Drugs and Supplements: Take 15 grams of Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng. (semen, dried mature seeds of Jiucai Zi) and 60 grams of rice to cook porridge and consume it. It helps manage enuresis and spermatorrhea caused by Kidney deficiency.

Q1: What is leek porridge used for in traditional Chinese medicine?

A1: Leek porridge is used in traditional Chinese medicine to tonify the kidney and strengthen yang, consolidate essence and stop spermatorrhea, as well as invigorate the spleen and warm the stomach. It is indicated for conditions such as cold pain in the abdomen, diarrhea or constipation, chronic dysentery due to cold-deficiency, dysphagia and regurgitation, impotence, and premature ejaculation.

Q2: How to make leek porridge with chive seeds?

A2: To make leek porridge with chive seeds, use 5–10 grams of chive seeds (or 30–60 grams of fresh Chinese chives), 2 liang (approximately 100 grams) of japonica rice, and a small amount of refined salt. Cook the rice with water until it becomes a thin porridge, then add the chive seeds (or chopped fresh chives) and salt, simmer for a few more minutes, and serve warm.

Q3: What is the recipe for leek porridge with japonica rice?

A3: The classic recipe for leek porridge with japonica rice calls for 30–60 grams of fresh Chinese chives (or 5–10 grams of chive seeds), 2 liang of japonica rice, and a pinch of refined salt. Wash the rice and cook it in water until the grains are soft and the porridge thickens, then stir in the chives or chive seeds and salt, simmer briefly, and consume while warm.

Q4: Can leek porridge help with impotence and premature ejaculation?

A4: Yes, leek porridge is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to address impotence and premature ejaculation due to its kidney-tonifying and yang-strengthening properties. The combination of chives or chive seeds with japonica rice helps consolidate essence and supports reproductive health, making it a supportive dietary remedy for these conditions.

Q5: Is leek porridge good for cold stomach and abdominal pain?

A5: Leek porridge is considered beneficial for cold stomach and abdominal pain because it warms the stomach and invigorates the spleen. It is typically recommended for cold-deficiency patterns, including cold pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, or chronic dysentery, and can help soothe discomfort when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet.