Congees
Citron and Buddha's Hand Porridge
Citron and Buddha's Hand Porridge is a classic Chinese medicinal congee for soothing the liver and regulating Qi. Made with citron (Xiangyuan), Buddha's hand (Foshou), and japonica rice, this porridge is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Citron is warm in nature, pungent, bitter, and sour in taste, and channels to the Liver, Spleen, and Lung meridians. It is known for soothing the liver, regulating Qi, and resolving phlegm. Buddha's hand is warm in nature, pungent, bitter, and sour in taste, and channels to the Liver, Spleen, Stomach, and Lung meridians. It is known for soothing the liver, regulating Qi, harmonizing the stomach, relieving pain, and drying dampness to resolve phlegm. Together, they achieve the combined effects of soothing the liver, harmonizing the stomach, strengthening the spleen, and resolving phlegm. The porridge is thick and smooth with a subtle herbal aroma. This porridge is especially suitable for those with liver-stomach disharmony, manifesting as stomach distension, belching, loss of appetite, and chest and hypochondriac distension.
Main Ingredients
- Dried citron (Xiangyuan) 10g
- Dried Buddha's hand (Foshou) 10g
- Japonica rice 100g
- Red dates (pitted) 5-10 pieces
- Coix seed (Job's tears) 30g
- Chinese yam 30g
- Raisins 10g
- Rock sugar To taste
Steps
Quickly rinse the citron and Buddha's hand to remove surface dust. Place them in a clay pot with approximately 1000ml of water and soak for 10-15 minutes. Soaking helps release the active compounds more effectively.
Place the soaked citron and Buddha's hand (along with the water) over heat. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Turn off the heat, strain out the herbal residue, and reserve the liquid.
Rinse the japonica rice and soak for 30 minutes in advance. Rinse the red dates, remove the pits, and tear them open. Peel and cube the Chinese yam (if using).
Pour the herbal decoction into a clay pot and add enough water to reach approximately 800-1000ml total. Bring to a boil. Add the rice, red dates, and other ingredients (coix seed, yam, raisins, etc.). Return to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the rice grains bloom and the porridge thickens.
If using rock sugar, add it before turning off the heat and stir until dissolved.
TCM Notes
Modern Nutrition & Pharmacological Research: Soothing the liver and regulating Qi: Both citron and Buddha's hand enter the Liver meridian, relieving liver depression and improving chest and hypochondriac distension, frequent belching, and emotional discomfort caused by stress. Spring is the season of the Liver, making this porridge especially suitable for spring liver care. Harmonizing the stomach and relieving pain: Buddha's hand enters the Stomach meridian, harmonizing the stomach and relieving pain, effectively alleviating stomach fullness, poor appetite, and vomiting caused by liver-stomach disharmony. Strengthening the spleen and resolving phlegm: Citron "opens the chest, resolves phlegm, and resolves dampness"; Buddha's hand "dries dampness and resolves phlegm". Together, they improve cough with excessive phlegm due to phlegm-dampness accumulating in the Lung. Strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach: Buddha's hand strengthens the spleen and promotes the generation of qi and blood. Combined with red dates, Chinese yam, and other ingredients, it achieves the effect of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach.
Suitable for：Those with liver-stomach disharmony (stomach distension, belching, loss of appetite, nausea) Those with liver Qi stagnation (chest and hypochondriac distension, emotional discomfort, frequent sighing) Office workers with high work pressure and a tendency to feel depressed Those needing liver care in spring Those with phlegm-dampness cough and chest tightness Generally suitable for spring wellness
Not suitable for：Those with yin deficiency and fire excess: Citron is warm in nature and may consume yin fluids — use with caution Those with qi deficiency: Not for long-term use Pregnant women: Use with caution Those with excess heat conditions Those allergic to citron or Buddha's hand
