Pine Nut and Fig Congee

Why people make this congee

Nourilo points out that older folks often don’t get constipated from eating too much rich, heating food — more often it’s a weakness-type constipation, the qi-deficient kind. The stool isn’t hard; there’s just no strength to push it out, and afterward you feel worn out, short of breath, pale and tired. This isn’t only an older person’s problem — frail or recovering people get it too. This soft, kindly congee is his answer: it replenishes, moistens the lungs and gently eases the bowels.