Medicated congee

Author: Yang Huqi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: "Eating" is an art. The progress of society, economic development, and improvement in living standards have given humans new aspirations for "eating" and set higher standards. Many patients are tired of the excruciatingly bitter medicines, the unbearable pain of injections, and the pricks. So, why not try food therapy? While indulging in delicious food, illness also improves and heals. Isn’t that wonderful? Food therapy has been valued by generations of medical practitioners since ancient times. The Suwen·Zangqi Fatishilian states: "Grains are for nourishment, fruits are for assistance, livestock is for benefit, vegetables are for replenishment. When these are taken together in harmony, they can replenish essence and boost qi." The renowned Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao also said in Qianjin Yifang: "For any illness, first try food therapy. If food therapy does not work, then use medicine." This shows that food is not only what humans eat to satisfy hunger and survive but also plays an important therapeutic role in correcting nutritional imbalances, strengthening the body, and treating imbalances of yin and yang. Therefore, food therapy is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine. Among food therapies, porridge therapy takes the lead. Regarding porridge, the famous Southern Song Dynasty poet Lu You wrote the well-known lines: "Everyone seeks longevity in the world, but they do not know it is before their eyes. I have found an easy method—just eat porridge to become an immortal." He praised eating porridge as a great way to strengthen the body and live a long life. "Medicated porridge therapy" has been for over two thousand years in China, serving as an important part of the treasure trove of traditional Chinese medicine. It is a valuable experience in food therapy accumulated by generations of medical practitioners and the working people over the long term. It has played a significant role in protecting people's health. Its ingredients are diverse, and its preparation is simple. Whether in bustling cities or remote rural areas, every household can prepare it. It can regulate dietary variety, enhance appetite, strengthen the body, heal illnesses, and promote longevity. With the development of society and the continuous improvement of people's living standards in China, methods of traditional Chinese medicine food therapy have become increasingly valued and applied. In line with the spirit of "using the old for the new," we have excavated and organized medicinal porridge therapy, allowing the ancient and unique experience of porridge therapy in China to shine once again and serve the cause of public health and medical care. This book collects over 260 ancient and modern prescriptions for medicinal porridge from medical practitioners and folk remedies. Organized by disease categories such as internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, urology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, oncology, dermatology, neurology, psychiatry, health preservation, and beauty, each prescription details the source, ingredients, preparation method, usage, efficacy, applicable conditions, and precautions. This aims to help readers understand and use the prescriptions, thereby achieving the goal of combining medicine and food, treating both disease and strengthening the body.