Motherwort and Brown Sugar Brown-Rice Congee

Why people make this congee

Now and then the market sells fresh motherwort — sweetly fragrant, pleasant in texture and not too bitter, though Nourilo finds the dried herb works better. Motherwort has long been called a “women’s herb” in the tradition, used to support circulation, regulate menstruation and ease swelling. When women feel bloated, crampy or have a sluggish period, a bowl of motherwort brown-rice congee with a little brown sugar is a warm, comforting way to ease through those days.