Congee & Porridge
Pine Nut and Fig Congee
Traditionally used to replenish, moisten the lungs and ease the bowels
Why people make this congee
Bro Niu 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.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits weakness-type, chronic constipation where pushing is difficult and tiring; also traditionally suited to dry-lung cough, and dizziness.
- A gentle, nourishing food that is generally well tolerated.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Pine nuts (song zi ren): rich and oily; traditionally used to moisten the lungs and lubricate the intestines.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): sweet and gentle; traditionally used to nourish and ease the bowels.
- White rice (bai mi): the soft, easy-to-digest base that carries the nourishment.
Ingredients (1 serving)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pine nuts | ~38 g (1 liang) | The snack-grade kind is fine |
| Dried figs | 4 | Sliced |
| White rice | ~75 g (2 liang) | Cooked rice also works |
Method
- Rinse the pine nuts and rice. Slice the figs.
- Put everything in a pot and add water.
- Simmer into a congee of medium-thick consistency.
- Eat freely, including the soft ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This congee also suits dry-lung cough, coughing up a little blood, and dizziness. For someone with weak digestion, you can blend the finished congee smooth so all the goodness is absorbed; if they bloat easily, add a piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) while cooking.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Mag): My 21-month-old often gets constipated. Is this pine nut congee suitable for her? What else helps? Bro Niu: Your little one can have this congee. You can also buy baby-grade prune purée from the supermarket — or pure prune juice, about 1/4 cup once a day — to gently ease the bowels.
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Q (Bu Yin): My 75-year-old mother is frail and has been constipated for decades, relying on laxatives, with poor digestion and easy bloating. Is this congee suitable, once a week? Bro Niu: Give her the pine nut and fig congee every other day; it benefits her, but it takes a week or two to show. If she bloats easily, cook a piece of chen pi with it. Blend it smooth so she absorbs everything, since her digestion is weak.
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Q (reader): Is the pine nut the snack kind? And can I use cooked rice to make the congee? Bro Niu: Yes, the snack kind; and yes, cooked rice works fine.
Published September 27, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
