Nutritious Congee Recipes

Porridge Therapy for Insomnia
Lying in bed unable to sleep is tormenting. Many toss and turn in the quiet night.
Insomnia is called "bu mei" in TCM. Spirit peaceful means sleep; spirit unrest means no sleep. Causes: pathogen disturbance or nutrient qi deficiency. With pathogen = excess: qi stagnation transforming to fire disturbing spirit, stomach disharmony, phlegm-heat. Without pathogen = deficiency: yin deficiency with fire, heart-kidney not communicating, excessive worry damaging heart-spleen, heart-gallbladder qi deficiency with fear. Modern medicine: emotional tension, excitement, unexpected blows, unresolved worries, grief, anxiety, extreme excitement. Also physical: overeating, pain, itching.
Sleeping pills aren't ideal: dependency, liver damage, affect thinking. Porridge therapy is effective:
Two Kernel Porridge: Biota seed 15g, roasted sour jujube kernel 20g, japonica rice 100g. Crush seeds, cook with rice to porridge. Add honey 1-2 boils before done. Take before bed. Biota seed nourishes heart and calms spirit; sour jujube kernel benefits liver-gallbladder, nourishes heart-spleen. Modern research confirms sedative-hypnotic effect. For insomnia with frequent waking, fear, palpitations from heart-gallbladder qi deficiency.
Longan & Lotus Seed Porridge: Longan flesh 20g, lotus seed 30g, rice 100g. Crush lotus seed, cook with longan and rice to porridge. Take 2 hours before bed. Longan benefits heart-spleen, nourishes blood and calms spirit; lotus seed tonifies spleen, nourishes heart, benefits kidney. For heart-spleen dual deficiency with palpitations, forgetfulness, fatigue, loose stools, sallow complexion.
Lily Bulb & Red Date Porridge: Lily bulb 20g, red dates 20, mung bean 50g...