What Is Congee? 

Simply put, congee is rice porridge, a fundamental concoction of two ingredients: white rice and boiled water, lots of water, usually much more water than what’s used in oatmeal and non-porridge rice. As with any dish, you can get as creative as you want, adding an infinite number of ingredients. In Asian Medicine, a doctor may prescribe congee mixed with certain medicinal ingredients that are commonly used as food in China. 

In the Orient, rice is symbolic of fertility and life. Plain white, super starchy rice is considered easy for the system to digest and provides energy.

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What Is Congee Used For? 

Congee can be combined with virtually any combination of medicinal herbs and other nutritive ingredients. But even basic congee, according to Asian theory, helps harmonize bodily energy. This especially includes Qi (vital energy) and the branch of Qi, Yin, which controls the Blood, fluids, bones, Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lungs and Kidney organ systems.  Can also be used as  A detox. In China, rice porridge helps support detoxification and cleansing by eliminating accumulated toxins and waste. 

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One of the easiest ways to “elevate your congee” experience is by adding single herb extract granules. For instance, to further support eliminating Phlegm and Dampness in the body, you can add specific herbal extract granules such as dandelion and burdock ( I sell these in the office). By supporting the elimination of excess heat (which gives rise to Dampness and eventually Phlegm), the congee and auxiliary herbs may improve your skin from the inside out.

Millions of people have chronic digestive problems. Congee soothes the stomach, which is why it’s prescribed by Asian doctors when Spleen Qi is deficient. A deficiency of Qi in the Spleen channel produces weak digestion. Weak digestion and the accompanying Spleen Qi deficiency can also occur from illnesses, giving birth, being overworked, and other forms of stress.

If you want to strengthen your digestion and replenish Spleen Qi, combine herbs like ginger or licorice root with congee. 

In addition, congee may be easier to digest for those who have difficulty swallowing. 

To support your immune system, combine congee with immune-supporting herbs such as astragalus root and codonopsis root. 

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How Do You Make Congee?  

To make a simple bowl of congee, you’ll need just 3 ingredients:

• 1 cup of rice

• 6-8 cups of water

• Pinch of salt (optional)

To cook, you simply rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. Next, in a large pot, combine the rinsed rice and water.  I leave in a crock pot over night on low heat and stir occasionally until the congee reaches your preferred consistency and serve hot.

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You can use the 5 tastes of Asian medican to further meet your health goals. For instance, ingredients like cinnamon twigs and jujube fruit (Chinese red dates) with a sweet taste will help fortify Spleen Qi and drain excessive dampness. 

When you come in for your next treatment ask which ingredients you should add to congee for your unique health concerns and constitution.

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Congee is an ancient remedy in Asian Medicine for a troubled or tuckered-out digestive system. With just a few ingredients simmered low and slow on the stove top, it's also the perfect homemade dish.

Congee has long been a secret weapon of Asian Medicine as a salve for the digestive system. Rice is cooked with a much higher ratio of water to grain and simmered until mush, making it both easy to digest and incredibly nourishing for the GI tract.

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To calm your irritated stomach.

8 cups of chicken or bone broth (the real stuff found in the meat section in the refrigerator) to 1 cup of white rice (I like jasmine) add 2 cups of go gi berries, 1T of black seasme seeds and 1 cup of walnuts. Cook 12hrs in a crock pot on low heat.

You can use water instead of bone broth and that will still get the stomach to calm down.

How you stomach benefits is though hydration, due to the amount of water absorbed by the rice grains throughout the cooking process. Chicken or bone broth, which is the second key ingredient for congee, is also hydrating and provides a rich source of collagen. This protein is required to repair and heal the lining of the GI tract, which can be damaged due to diet and lifestyle stressors. Plus, the easier your meal is to digest the better equipped you are to reap the rewards of any protein and minerals coming in.

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Here is another nice recipe which is not as soupy.

You can top your congee with a fried egg, or add some steamed bok choy or spinach for a little green.

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Cook for 12hrs on low setting in a crock pot.

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• 2 cups sushi or jasmine rice

• 4 chicken drumsticks

• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms

• 5 quarts water or chicken broth

• 2 teaspoons pink Himalayan salt

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or ghee

• Chopped ginger, scallions, gluten-free tamari, or coconut aminos, and dark sesame oil (optional, but adds flavor)