Polygonatum Odoratum Porridge

[Porridge Recipes]

[Porridge Composition] 15 to 20 grams of Polygonatum odoratum (fresh: 30 to 60 grams), a small amount of rock sugar, and 2 liang of japonica rice.

[Efficacy and Indications] Nourish yin and moisten the Lungs, promote fluid production and quench thirst. It is applicable for Lung yin injury, Lung dryness cough, dry cough with little or no sputum, or for thirst and dry mouth after high fever, persistent low-grade fever due to Yin Deficiency, and can also be used as an adjuvant dietary therapy for cardiac insufficiency in various types of Heart wellness.

[Boiling Method] First, wash the fresh and plump Polygonatum odoratum, remove the root hairs, chop it up, and decoct it to obtain a concentrated juice, then strain out the dregs. Alternatively, decoct dried Polygonatum odoratum to make a soup and strain out the dregs. Add polished round-grained rice to the liquid, then add an appropriate amount of water and boil it into a thin porridge. After the porridge is cooked, add rock sugar and boil it for one or two more boils.

Explanation of the Congee: Polygonatum odoratum, also known as Weirui (ruǐ, pronounced as rui), is the rhizome of the perennial herb Polygonatum odoratum from the Liliaceae family. Fresh Polygonatum odoratum is best when it is long, plump, yellowish-white, and has a glossy and smooth appearance. Polygonatum odoratum tastes sweet, is neutral in nature, and is rich in sap. It enters the Lung and stomach meridians. Its functions are to nourish the Lungs and stomach, and it is used for conditions involving deficiency of yin fluid in the Lungs and stomach. As early as in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, it was classified as a top-grade medicinal herb, stating that it “supports various deficiencies, and long-term use removes dark facial spots and snoring, improves complexion and makes it moist, lightens the body, and helps maintain aging.” Regarding this, the Ming Dynasty physician Miao Xiyong further explained that Polygonatum odoratum “can nourish the five internal organs and replenish qi and blood. Once the root cause is supports, other ailments will naturally resolve. Blood is yin and is responsible for maintaining a youthful appearance, while qi is yang and is responsible for lightening the body.” The Di Nan Ben Cao also believes that Polygonatum odoratum “replenishes qi and blood and tonifies the Spleen in the middle.” In traditional Chinese medicine clinical practice, it is commonly used to supports conditions such as dry cough and hemoptysis caused by Lung Yin Deficiency and Lung heat after febrile wellness, as well as stomach yin injury, Yin Deficiency internal heat, scanty body fluid with thirst, and easy hunger despite consuming large amounts of food. Modern medical research reports that Polygonatum odoratum contains mucilage, which hydrolyzes to produce fructose, glucose, and arabinose, as well as vitamin A, alkaloids, etc. Pharmacological experiments have confirmed that Polygonatum odoratum has hypoglycemic and cardiotonic effects, so it can be used to supports diabetes and can also be applied in cases of Heart failure in cardiac patients. According to clinical reports, using Polygonatum odoratum as the main ingredient to supports 5 cases of grade I to III Heart failure caused by rheumatic Heart wellness, coronary arteriosclerotic Heart wellness, and pulmonary Heart wellness, Heart failure was controlled within 5 to 10 days after taking the medication. Cooking Polygonatum odoratum with japonica rice to make congee can prolong the retention time of its active ingredients in the gastrointestinal tract, facilitating full absorption of the medicinal substances and thus improving efficacy. According to the Zhou Pu · Zhou Pin Liu · Hui Yao Lei, “Weirui Congee supports Lung deficiency with shortness of breath, moisturizes the skin, and supports eyelid ulcers with tearing.” Based on the results of modern scientific research, the clinical application of Polygonatum odoratum congee has been further developed and can be used as an adjuvant dietary therapy for patients with Heart failure.

[Precautions] A course of supports with Polygonatum Odoratum Porridge lasts for 5 to 7 days, and it should be taken in the morning and evening. Since Polygonatum odoratum is a soft and moistening herb with a sweet taste and rich in lipids, it is contraindicated for patients with phlegm-dampness and Qi Stagnation in the stomach, such as those with a feeling of fullness in the stomach, a sticky sensation in the mouth with excessive phlegm, indigestion, aversion to drinking water, and a thick and greasy tongue coating.