Adenophora, Asparagus Root and Ophiopogon Congee (Sha Shen Er Dong Zhou)

Why people make this congee

An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is an endocrine imbalance, and people living with it often feel run-down yet wired: sweating, heat intolerance, big appetite but weight loss, talkative and on edge, restless, with poor sleep, palpitations, facial flushing, trembling, warm palms and protruding eyes. This congee is traditionally taken as a gentle, cooling support — it’s associated with nourishing yin, moistening dryness and calming that inner restlessness and heat.

Method

1. Rinse all the herbs and simmer in 1.8 L of water down to 1.2 L.
2. Strain, keeping the liquid; discard the dregs.
3. Cook the herbal liquid with the white rice into a congee.
4. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Eat as you like.

Nourilo’s Tips

This congee is nourishing, but those with loose stools should skip it. For thyroid lumps or swelling, herbs like xia ku cao (self-heal), seaweed, water chestnut and luo han guo are traditionally associated with softening lumps — for example xia ku cao with water chestnut and luo han guo in a rock-sugar water. People with hyperthyroidism should go easy on seafood and kelp.