[Taiping Holy Benevolence Prescriptions]
[Porridge Composition] 10-15 grams of Radix Boehmeriae, one live carp weighing about 1 jin (500 grams), and 1-2 liang (50-100 grams) of glutinous rice.
[Indications and Effects] helps maintain miscarriage, stopping bleeding, and reducing swelling. Applicable for pregnant women experiencing lumbar acidity and abdominal pain, fetal restlessness, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, and pregnancy-induced edema.
[Boiling Method] First, remove the scales and internal organs of the carp, wash it, cut it into pieces, and stew it to make soup. Then stew the ramie root, take the juice and remove the dregs, add it to the carp soup along with glutinous rice to make porridge.
[Explanation of the Congee’s Effects] The main medicinal ingredient in the Carp Congee for Tocolysis is Boehmeria root, which is the root of Boehmeria nivea, a perennial herb or subshrub from the Urticaceae family, also known as Ramie root. It generally grows wild in mountain forests, gullies, and by roadsides. It is distributed in most regions of China, primarily produced in Jiangsu, Shandong, and Shaanxi.
In traditional Chinese medicine, ramie is considered sweet in taste, cold in nature, and non-toxic. It enters the Liver and Heart meridians and has the functions of clearing heat, stopping bleeding, and detoxifying. It is commonly used for conditions such as intense thirst in febrile wellness, hematuria with painful urination, difficult urination, hematemesis, red and white leucorrhea, erysipelas, and carbuncles and swellings. Clinically, it is often used to stabilize the fetus and stop bleeding, supports signs of imbalance in pregnant women such as lumbar acidity and abdominal pain, fetal restlessness, habitual abortion, and uterine bleeding during pregnancy.
According to modern pharmacological experiments, the caffeic acid contained in Boehmeria nivea has a significant hemostatic effect. Currently, “ammonium hematocyl (diethylamine salt of caffeic acid)” has been artificially synthesized. Animal experiments have shown that it can significantly shorten both clotting time and bleeding time, and it has extremely low toxicity. It can be seen that traditional Chinese medicine used Boehmeria nivea for hemostasis more than a thousand years ago to supports “vaginal bleeding during pregnancy”, which is very valuable.
Carp has the effects of promoting diuresis and lactation. According to the experience of ancient people, carp also has the effect of helps maintain miscarriage. For example, in the Tang Dynasty, Chen Cangqi recorded in Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica that it is “mainly used to helps maintain miscarriage, supports fetal movement, and helps with occasional body swelling during pregnancy.” Therefore, cooking carp with ramie to make porridge is convenient, effective, and safe. It can be slowly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, has a mild action, and can also provide nourishment. This is especially suitable for pregnant women who show signs of miscarriage, such as lumbar bleeding, fetal restlessness, or edema. Consuming carp porridge for helps maintain miscarriage is quite effective. The Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief, Volume 97, Recipes for supports Various Conditions During Pregnancy states: “To supports abdominal pain caused by injury during pregnancy, the carp porridge for helps maintain miscarriage should be taken. Take one carp weighing one jin, remove its scales and intestines, and finely chop it. Take one liang of dried ramie root, clean and chop it, and take five sheng of glutinous rice. For the above ingredients, use three bowls of water to first boil the ramie root, obtain two bowls of juice, remove the dregs, then add the rice and fish to cook the porridge, and season with five flavors. Consume it on an empty stomach.” This is a very effective dietary therapy method.
[Precautions] The course of supports for the Miscarriage-helps maintain Carp Congee is 3 to 5 days, and it should be eaten warm twice a day. Live carps should be selected for cooking.
[Reference Materials]
[Shouqin Yanglao Xinshu, Volume 2, Dietary Therapy Prescriptions for Women and Children]: “Boehmeria nivea porridge is used to supports unstable fetal conditions during pregnancy and abdominal pain, and it is advisable to consume it regularly. Take one liang of fresh Boehmeria nivea root, wash it clean, and boil to obtain two he of juice. Take two he of white glutinous rice, one he of barley flour, and half liang of dried tangerine peel that has been soaked, had its white pith removed, and stir-fried, then ground into a powder. Combine these four ingredients, cook them with water to make porridge to the desired consistency. After it is cooked, add a small amount of salt, divide it into two equal servings, and consume it hot on an empty stomach.”
Q1: What is miscarriage prevention congee with carp and glutinous rice in traditional Chinese medicine?
A1: Miscarriage prevention congee with carp and glutinous rice is a medicinal porridge from traditional Chinese medicine, specifically recorded in the Taiping Holy Benevolence Prescriptions. It combines live carp, glutinous rice, and Radix Boehmeriae to help maintain pregnancy, stop bleeding, and reduce swelling. This carp congee for threatened miscarriage is used to address symptoms like lumbar acidity, abdominal pain, fetal restlessness, and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
Q2: How to cook miscarriage preventing carp congee step by step?
A2: To cook miscarriage preventing carp congee step by step, first remove the scales and internal organs of a live carp weighing about 1 jin (500 grams). Then take 10-15 grams of Radix Boehmeriae and 1-2 liang (50-100 grams) of glutinous rice. Combine the ingredients in a pot with sufficient water and simmer until the rice breaks down and the congee thickens. Consume the congee warm, typically once daily, as part of a traditional Chinese medicine regimen for threatened miscarriage.
Q3: What are the indications for consuming carp congee for threatened miscarriage?
A3: Carp congee for threatened miscarriage is indicated for pregnant women experiencing lumbar acidity, abdominal pain, fetal restlessness, or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. It is also used for pregnancy-induced edema. According to the Taiping Holy Benevolence Prescriptions, this congee helps maintain miscarriage by stopping bleeding and reducing swelling, making it a nourishing remedy for those at risk of pregnancy loss.
Q4: Why is carp congee used in traditional Chinese medicine to help maintain pregnancy?
A4: In traditional Chinese medicine, carp congee is used to help maintain pregnancy because its ingredients—carp, glutinous rice, and Radix Boehmeriae—work synergistically to strengthen the kidneys and soothe the fetus. Radix Boehmeriae is particularly known for its hemostatic and miscarriage-preventive properties, while carp provides high-quality protein and essential nutrients. Together, they support the body in stabilizing pregnancy and preventing threatened miscarriage.
Q5: Can pregnant women with threatened miscarriage benefit from drinking carp congee?
A5: Yes, pregnant women with threatened miscarriage can benefit from drinking carp congee, as it is specifically formulated to address symptoms like fetal restlessness, vaginal bleeding, and abdominal pain. However, it should be used under the guidance of a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. The congee’s step-by-step preparation ensures that the active compounds from Radix Boehmeriae and carp are properly extracted to support miscarriage prevention.
Interesting recipe! I’ve heard about using carp in postpartum soups, but didn’t know it could help with preventing miscarriage too. Would love to try this if it really works for stabilizing pregnancy. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting traditional remedy! I’ve heard about using carp and glutinous rice for pregnancy support, but never combined with Radix Boehmeriae. Does anyone
Interesting! I’ve heard about using carp in traditional remedies, but never with Radix Boehmeriae. I wonder if this congee is still commonly recommended today? Would love to hear from anyone who’s tried it.