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Congee & Porridge

Nourishing Heart-Calming Congee (Yang Xin An Shen Zhou)

Traditionally associated with calming the mind, easing anxiety, and supporting restful sleep

By · Registered Nutritionist & TCM Practitioner

Prep
15 min
Cook
1 hr
Total
1 hr 15 min
Makes
1.2 L
Sleep & CalmEveryday Balance
Nourishing Heart-Calming Congee (Yang Xin An Shen Zhou)

Why people make this congee

Stress, uncertainty, and the pressure of daily life have made poor sleep quality one of the most common modern complaints. This congee is one of the most comforting and practical responses — a bowl of something warm, gently sweet, and assembled from ingredients that traditional Chinese food therapy has used for generations to quiet an overworked mind.

Wheat berries (the whole grain form of wheat, before it is refined into flour) carry a special association in Chinese food therapy with calming the heart and settling mental restlessness — a quality quite distinct from refined white flour. Paired with longan (for blood nourishment and heart-calming sweetness), lily bulb (cooling and sedating), lotus seeds (stabilising and spleen-supporting), and jujube dates (broadly nourishing and grounding), this congee becomes a layered, thoughtful formula rather than just a coincidental collection of comforting foods.

It is suitable for adults and children alike, and Nourilo notes it is particularly helpful for children who grind their teeth at night or are emotionally sensitive and easily stressed.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this congee suitable for children, or is it only for adults?

This congee is described as suitable for the whole family, including children. It is noted to be particularly helpful for children who grind their teeth at night or are emotionally sensitive and easily stressed, when eaten regularly.

Are there any cautions for pregnant women?

Pregnant women are advised to replace the longan with poria with heart (fu shen, 19 g) rather than omitting the ingredient entirely.

What role does each main ingredient traditionally play in this recipe?

In traditional Chinese food therapy, wheat berries are commonly associated with calming the heart and settling mental restlessness, longan with blood nourishment and heart-calming sweetness, lily bulb with cooling and sedating effects, lotus seeds with stabilising and spleen-supporting qualities, and jujube dates with broadly nourishing and grounding properties.

How long does this congee take to prepare, and how much does it make?

The wheat berries require at least 2 hours of soaking beforehand, followed by about 15 minutes of preparation and roughly 1 hour of simmering. The recipe yields approximately 4 bowls (about 1.2 litres).

Does this congee need added sugar?

No added sugar is usually needed. The congee is naturally lightly sweet from the longan and jujube dates, and most people will find it requires no sweetening.

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