Congee & Porridge
Lotus Leaf, Rush Pith and Ophiopogon Barley Congee
Traditionally used to nourish yin, clear heat and calm the mind
Why people make this congee
In traditional thinking, children are said to have “an abundance of liver, a shortage of spleen” — meaning their inner fire flares easily. Bro Niu notes that when a child is short on sleep and heat builds up, you may see chapped, dry lips and sudden irritability for no clear reason. This congee is a soft, mild-tasting bowl traditionally used to nourish yin, gently clear that excess heart-fire and help an unsettled little one calm down.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Children who are restless at night, irritable, easily upset, with dry lips
- Adults dealing with heat-related agitation and a racing mind
- As with any new food for a small child, introduce gradually and watch for tolerance; if a child has a fever or is unwell, please see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lotus leaf (he ye): traditionally associated with clearing summer-heat and lightening a heat-laden body.
- Rush pith (deng xin cao): classically used to clear heart-fire and ease restlessness and poor sleep.
- Ophiopogon root (mai dong): a yin-nourishing herb traditionally said to moisten dryness and calm an agitated heart.
- Barley rice (mai mi): the soft, neutral base that makes the bowl easy for children to accept.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus leaf (he ye) | ~40 g / 1 liang | rinsed |
| Rush pith (deng xin cao) | 6 small bundles | |
| Ophiopogon (mai dong) | ~40 g / 1 liang | |
| Barley rice (mai mi) | ~75 g / 2 liang | |
| Rock sugar (bing tang) | to taste |
Method
- Rinse all the ingredients.
- Combine with the barley rice and enough water (roughly 3–4 times the volume of the dry ingredients) and simmer into a smooth, moderately thick congee, about 1 hour.
- Stir in rock sugar until dissolved. Serve in any reasonable amount.
Bro Niu’s tips
This congee has very little herbal taste, so children rarely resist it. It suits restless sleepers and those who are irritable and quick to temper. If you prefer a drink rather than a congee, you can use just 1 liang of barley rice, add more water and simmer for 1 hour for the whole family.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Miffy): Can I cook this as a cooling tea instead of a congee? Bro Niu: Yes. Use 1 liang of barley rice, add more water and simmer for 1 hour; the whole family can drink it.
- Q (mon): My 12-year-old daughter has a “tipped tongue” the practitioner links to heart-fire, but she won’t eat congee. Any simple soup? Bro Niu: You can make a green bean and lily bulb sweet soup without rice — it helps clear heart-fire. Or simmer cored lotus seeds and lily bulb (1 liang each) with 6 bundles of rush pith into a sweet soup.
- Q (June): My 2-year-old takes over an hour to fall asleep and wakes crying once or twice; can this congee be eaten long-term? Bro Niu: This congee is very mild and can be taken for one to two weeks. Half a cup of warm milk an hour before bed also helps her settle.
Published November 25, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
