Congee & Porridge
Twin Wood-Ear and Lily-Bud Congee
Traditionally associated with nourishing blood and easing period discomfort
Why people make this congee
Black wood-ear is neutral in nature, traditionally said to boost qi, nourish the blood and ease bleeding and pain; white fungus (also called snow ear) is traditionally associated with nourishing yin, moistening the lungs and soothing the stomach and bowel. Bro Niu pairs the two with dried lily buds in a soft, easy congee that many find comforting for period support — gentle enough that young and old can enjoy it.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Those wanting a gentle dish for period support and easing menstrual discomfort; can be eaten during the period
- Suited to people recovering after childbirth or illness, and as a gentle dish for those in cancer care
- For heavy bleeding, large clots or a known fibroid, see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Black wood-ear (hei mu er): neutral; traditionally invigorates and nourishes the blood and is associated with easing stasis.
- White fungus / snow ear (xue er): traditionally nourishes yin, moistens the lungs and soothes the stomach and bowel.
- Dried lily buds (jin zhen): traditionally added to help ease period discomfort.
Ingredients (2-3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black wood-ear (hei mu er) | 2 qian (~7.5 g) | Soak soft, de-stem, shred |
| White fungus (xue er) | 2 qian (~7.5 g) | Soak soft, de-stem, shred |
| Dried lily buds (jin zhen) | 2 qian (~7.5 g) | Soak soft |
| White rice (bai mi) | 2 taels (~75 g) | Rinsed |
Method
- Soak the black wood-ear and white fungus until soft, remove the stems and shred. Soak the lily buds until soft.
- Rinse the rice.
- Combine the rice with the wood-ear, white fungus and lily buds, add water and simmer into a thin congee.
- Eat freely, as much as you like.
Bro Niu’s tips
This congee boosts qi and strengthens the body, and both young and old can take it; taken regularly it is also a comforting everyday dish. Do not keep it overnight — cook only as much as you will eat. During the period, you can also simmer a simple brown-sugar-and-ginger water alongside it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (winnie): I have many clots, period pain and heavy flow during my period — can I eat the wood-ear, snow-ear and lily-bud congee during my period? Any other soups? Bro Niu: With period pain and many clots you can eat this congee. During the period you can also make a simple brown-sugar-and-ginger water.
- Q (Sa): My cycle is sometimes 30-plus days, sometimes 40-plus days — can this congee help regulate it? Bro Niu: For an irregular cycle you can eat the twin wood-ear and lily-bud congee. You can also simmer 2 qian each of chuan xiong and dang gui, 3 qian white peony, 5 qian prepared rehmannia and 6 red dates in a chicken-breast soup, twice a week.
- Q (Felicia): I have a yin-deficient, internal-heat constitution; my doctor says I should not eat red dates or ginger water. But I have period pain and many clots — what can I do? Bro Niu: You can simmer 3 pieces of black wood-ear with a little rock sugar in 5 bowls of water down to 2, which helps invigorate the blood and resolve stasis. Take it for 3 days.
Published April 14, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
