Ginger, Red Date and Glutinous Rice Porridge

Main Ingredients

• Glutinous rice 100-150g
• Fresh ginger 6-9g (or dried ginger 3-5g)
• Red dates 2-4 pcs
• Brown sugar to taste
• Salt a pinch
• Water approx. 1-1.5L

Steps

1. Rinse the glutinous rice and soak in water for 30 minutes. Wash the ginger (keep the skin on for better efficacy) and slice thinly or julienne. Wash the red dates, remove the pits, and cut in half or tear them open.

   

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the drained soaked glutinous rice. Bring to a boil again, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

   

3. When the rice grains start to bloom and the porridge thickens slightly, add the prepared ginger slices and red dates.

   

4. Continue to simmer over low heat for another 15-20 minutes until the glutinous rice is completely soft and the porridge is thick, with the flavors of ginger and dates fully infused.

   

5. Before turning off the heat, season with brown sugar or a pinch of salt to taste. Stir well and serve hot. Best enjoyed as a breakfast.

   

TCM Notes

Warms the stomach, disperses cold, and relieves pain (core benefit): Gingerol in ginger promotes blood circulation and warms the interior, effectively relieving stomach cold, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea caused by cold. Combined with red dates and glutinous rice, it gently nourishes the stomach. Tonifies qi, nourishes blood, and calms the mind: Red dates are rich in iron, helping to improve anemia; glutinous rice tonifies qi. This porridge helps improve sallow complexion, palpitations, and insomnia caused by qi and blood deficiency. Warms the lungs, resolves phlegm, and dispels wind-cold: Ginger induces sweating and dispels wind-cold. Drinking it hot at the onset of a wind-cold cold can help relieve stuffy nose, runny nose, and chills. Provides energy and strengthens the spleen: Glutinous rice is rich in carbohydrates, providing a gentle source of energy. Its spleen-strengthening and stomach-warming properties make it an ideal staple for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold.

Suitable for：Those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: Prone to cold abdomen, or diarrhea after eating cold foods. Those with qi and blood deficiency: Symptoms include pale or sallow complexion, fatigue, palpitations, and insomnia. Those in the early stages of wind-cold colds: Experiencing chills, stuffy nose, clear nasal discharge, headache, and body aches. Those with cold constitution: Especially women with chronic cold hands and feet. Those with general weakness: For recovery after illness or for those who are too weak for stronger tonics.

Not suitable for：Those with yin deficiency with fire-excess (Use with caution or avoid!): Symptoms include dry mouth and throat, hot palms and soles, night sweats, and a red tongue with little coating. Ginger's warm nature may aggravate internal heat. Pregnant women (Use with caution!): Ginger is warm in nature and excessive consumption may stimulate the uterus. It is especially important to be cautious in the later stages of pregnancy; consult a doctor before consuming. Those with wind-heat colds or internal heat (Avoid!): Symptoms include high fever, severe sore throat, yellow phlegm, and yellow nasal discharge. This warming porridge may worsen heat conditions. Those with hemorrhoids (Use with caution!): May aggravate bleeding symptoms during flare-ups. Young children and those with heaty constitution (Use with caution!): This porridge is very warming; control portion sizes. Diabetics (Control portion size): Glutinous rice and red dates have a high glycemic index, especially if brown sugar is added. Limit intake strictly, or omit the sugar.