Congee & Porridge
Lotus Leaf, Ophiopogon and Rush Pith Congee
traditionally used to nourish yin, calm the heart, and support emotional balance
Why people make this congee
In traditional Chinese food therapy, prolonged emotional frustration is thought to create internal heat that disturbs the heart and mind — showing up as suspiciousness, restlessness, poor sleep, and difficulty settling the thoughts. Bro Niu prepared this congee for people who feel agitated or mentally unsettled, particularly those who sleep lightly or find their minds racing at night. It is gentle enough for children who cry or fuss without obvious reason, and mild enough to use as a regular grain-based meal.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with restlessness, overthinking, irritability, light sleep, or frequent dreaming associated with internal heat
- Also suitable for young children who are fussy and sleep poorly
- This congee is a supportive, not curative, measure — anyone with a clinical mood disorder must continue seeing a doctor
- Not recommended during acute colds or flu
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lotus leaf (he ye): Traditionally associated with clearing summer heat, calming agitation, and lifting the spirit; also lightly fragrant, making the congee pleasant to eat
- Ophiopogon tuber (mai dong): A classic yin-nourishing herb used to moisten the lungs and heart, ease dryness, and calm a restless, heat-disturbed mind
- Rush pith (deng xin cao): Small bundles of dried rush grass used in traditional practice to clear heart fire and ease the irritability and difficulty urinating that come with internal heat
- White rice: Acts as a gentle base that helps the digestive system absorb the other ingredients more steadily
Ingredients (2 servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus leaf (he ye) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Dried leaf; rinse before use |
| Ophiopogon tuber (mai dong) | ~38 g (1 liang) | A staple yin-nourishing herb, available at Chinese herb shops |
| Rush pith (deng xin cao) | 6 small bundles | Looks like thin, light-coloured dried grass; sold pre-bundled |
| White rice (jing mi) | ~75 g (2 liang) | Regular short-grain or medium-grain white rice |
| Water | ~6 bowls | Simmer to about 2–3 bowls of thick congee |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients well.
- Place the lotus leaf, ophiopogon, rush pith, and white rice together in a pot.
- Add approximately 6 bowls of water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until a soft congee forms — about 40 minutes.
- Serve warm. Eat as much as you like in one sitting, or divide between meals.
Bro Niu’s tips
If you prefer not to cook this as congee, you can substitute the rice with a small amount of wheat grain (xiao mai mi) and simmer as a soup — it works just as well. For children, you can also add a small amount of minced pork to make it more palatable. This congee is supportive food therapy only; anyone with a serious mood disorder should be under a doctor’s care, not relying on food alone.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader, LLW): Can I skip the rice in this recipe? Does it work the same? Bro Niu: Adding rice helps the stomach and intestines absorb the beneficial compounds more steadily. Without rice, you can substitute small wheat grains (xiao mai mi) or add a little lean pork to make a soup — both work.
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Q (sun): My two-year-old child wakes up crying in the mornings and at nap time. Is this congee suitable for her? Bro Niu: This congee is suitable for a two-year-old. Adding a little minced meat makes it tastier. For quantity, this recipe serves two people; 8 bowls of water reduced to 4 bowls is the right amount.
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Q (reader): I often feel pain all over, occasional elevated blood pressure, and worry that I have a serious illness. Can I cook this as a soup with meat instead of a congee? Bro Niu: Very often, unexplained body pain with no clear cause is connected to emotional distress — when the mood lifts, the pain tends to ease too. It is important to relax and learn to work through difficult feelings; seeing a psychologist or Chinese medicine doctor can help speed recovery. This food therapy recipe can certainly be made as a soup with meat — simmer for 1 hour.
Published January 4, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
