Zhenjun Congee

[Mountain Home Cuisine for Purity and Nourishment]

[Ingredients of the Porridge] 5-10 apricots, an appropriate amount of rock sugar, 30-60 grams of japonica rice.

[Indications and Actions] Moistens the Lungs to helps with occasional asthma, generates body fluids to quench thirst. Applicable for Lung dryness with asthma, cough without phlegm, intense thirst, and poor appetite.

[Decoction Method] Select ripe apricots, wash them, boil until soft, and remove the pits. Cook japonica rice into porridge separately. When the porridge is nearly done, add the apricot flesh and rock sugar, and continue to cook until it forms a porridge.

[Explanation of the Porridge] Zhenjun Porridge is a thin porridge made by boiling ripe apricots and rice. Apricot, also known as apricot fruit, is the fruit of the apricot plant from the Rosaceae family. It does not refer to “apricot kernel”. Apricots are a beloved fruit, known for their ability to moisten the Lungs, generate body fluids, and quench thirst. For individuals suffering from dryness of body fluids and a dry cough without phlegm after febrile wellness, consuming a few apricots can help restore body fluids and stop the cough. However, based on ancient experiences, “Eating raw apricot fruits can often harm the sinews and bones.” Therefore, in Shanjia Qinggong (a book on vegetarian diet), there is a method of consumption described as “boil the apricots until soft, remove the pits, and add them to the porridge when it is almost cooked, then continue to cook together.” The reason why apricot porridge is named “Zhenjun Porridge” is linked to a historical legend. During the Three Kingdoms period, Dong Feng, a man from the Wu region, was well-versed in Taoist arts and lived in seclusion on Mount Lu. He supports people without accepting payment, only asking supports patients to plant a few apricot trees for him. After several years, these trees formed a lush forest. Dong Feng exchanged the ripe apricots for rice and grains to aid the poor. Due to his efforts in saving many lives, he eventually ascended to immortality in broad daylight. The people respectfully called him “Dong Zhenjun” and named the apricot porridge “Zhenjun Porridge” as a commemoration of Dong Feng.

In addition, ancient Chinese medical experts developed many proven dietary therapy recipes using apricot kernel porridge to supports patients with cough and asthma. For example, Ge Hong of the Jin Dynasty recorded in Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies, Volume 3: “Apricot Kernel Porridge. For supports asthma, shortness of breath, edema, and difficult urination. Take one liang of apricot kernels, remove the tips and skins, roast, grind, and cook with rice until very well done. Consume two he on an empty stomach.” Fei Boxiong of the Qing Dynasty wrote in Shijian Bencao: “To supports upper respiratory cough, take two liang of flattened apricot kernels with tips and skins removed, grind into a paste, or add pig Lung, and cook with three he of rice.” For specific application, 10 to 15 grams of apricot kernels can be mashed, soaked in water to extract the juice, then strained, or boiled to extract the juice and strained, mixed with an appropriate amount of rock sugar and 1 to 2 liang of glutinous rice, and cooked into a thin porridge for consumption.

[Precautions] Zhenjun Porridge should be taken as a course of supports lasting 3 to 5 days, with two warm servings per day.

[Reference Materials]

[Prescriptions from the Great Peace for Benevolent Relief · Volume 96 · Various Prescriptions for supports Cough through Diet]: “To supports Lung qi deficiency, emaciation, rapid and short breath, cough, etc., it is advisable to take the Almond Congee prescription. Twenty-one almonds, soaked in boiling water to remove the skins and tips (double-kernel almonds), ground and mixed with three gou of yellow cow’s milk, strained to extract the juice; seven jujubes, pitted; two gou of polished round-grained rice; one to two liang of chopped Morus alba root bark; and one fen of sliced ginger. Add three large bowls of water, first boil the Morus alba root bark, jujubes, and ginger, etc., to obtain two bowls of decoction. Cook the rice into congee, and when it is nearly done, add the almond juice, and boil for another five to seven boils. When the congee is ready, it can be eaten at any time.”

[Shiyi Xinjian · Discussion on Food Therapy Prescriptions for Five Types of Hemorrhoids with Hematuria]: “For supports incessant hematuria in five types of hemorrhoids, the Almond Congee prescription. One liang of almonds, soaked in boiling water to remove the skins, tips, and any double kernels, then crushed. Add three sheng of water, grind to extract the juice. Bring the juice to a boil, add rice, and cook into congee for consumption.”

Q1: What is Zhenjun Congee and what are its health benefits?

A1: Zhenjun Congee is a traditional Chinese congee made with apricots, rock sugar, and japonica rice valued for its nourishing and lung-moistening properties. Its health benefits include moistening the lungs to help with occasional asthma, generating body fluids to quench thirst, and alleviating symptoms of lung dryness such as cough without phlegm, intense thirst, and poor appetite.

Q2: How to make Zhenjun Congee with apricots and rock sugar?

A2: To make Zhenjun Congee, select 5-10 ripe apricots, wash them, and boil until soft, then remove the pits. Cook 30-60 grams of japonica rice into porridge, then add the cooked apricots and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Stir well and serve warm.

Q3: What are the ingredients and proportions for Zhenjun Congee?

A3: The ingredients for Zhenjun Congee are 5-10 apricots, an appropriate amount of rock sugar, and 30-60 grams of japonica rice. These proportions ensure a balanced congee that delivers its intended health benefits.

Q4: Is Zhenjun Congee effective for cough and thirst?

A4: Yes, Zhenjun Congee is effective for cough and thirst, particularly when the cough is dry and without phlegm and accompanied by intense thirst. It works by generating body fluids to quench thirst and moistening the lungs to soothe coughing, as indicated for lung dryness and poor appetite.

Q5: Can Zhenjun Congee help with asthma?

A5: Yes, Zhenjun Congee can help with occasional asthma due to its lung-moistening action. The apricots and rock sugar work together to moisten the lungs and support respiratory health, offering relief from mild asthma symptoms associated with lung dryness.