Congees
Suanzaoren Congee
Suanzaoren Congee (Spiny Date Seed Porridge) is a classic medicinal porridge originating from the Yuan Dynasty text Yinshan Zhengyao (Proper Essentials of Eating and Drinking). The renowned physician Li Shizhen also listed it as a calming porridge in his Compendium of Materia Medica. Made with Suanzaoren – a key herb for "nourishing the heart and calming the spirit" – and spleen-strengthening japonica rice, it is slowly simmered to a smooth, creamy consistency with a subtle tartness and unique fragrance. This congee is renowned for calming the mind, nourishing the heart and liver, and stopping excessive sweating. It serves as an excellent dietary therapy for palpitations, insomnia, excessive dreaming, restlessness, and spontaneous sweating due to deficiency.
Main Ingredients
- Suanzaoren(Spiny Date Seed) 15g
- Japonica rice 100g
- Rock sugar or honey to taste
- Water 800ml
Steps
Stir-fry the Suanzaoren in a dry pan over low heat until the skin puffs up and turns slightly yellow. Remove and let cool, then grind into a fine powder.
Rinse the japonica rice and soak for about 30 minutes. Add approximately 800ml of water to a pot, add the rice, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer.
When the porridge is almost done (rice grains bloomed and porridge thickened), add the Suanzaoren powder and cook for a short while longer.
Add a small amount of rock sugar or honey to taste if desired. Stir well and turn off the heat.
TCM Notes
Suanzaoren (Spiny Date Seed) : Neutral in nature, sour and sweet in taste, acts on the Liver, Gallbladder, and Heart meridians. Modern research shows that Suanzaoren has sedative, hypnotic, anti-anxiety, antidepressant, and immune-boosting effects. Its active components, such as jujuboside and flavonoids, help inhibit central nervous system excitability, promoting calmness and sleep. In TCM, it is known to nourish the heart and liver, calm the mind, stop sweating, and promote fluid production. Japonica rice: Known to supplement qi, strengthen the spleen, relieve thirst, and stop diarrhea. When paired with Suanzaoren, it makes the tonic effects mild, sustained, and easier to digest and absorb. Together, they achieve the synergistic effects of calming the mind, nourishing the heart and liver, and stopping sweating.
Suitable for：Those with palpitations, insomnia, excessive dreaming, and restlessness Those with heart-liver blood deficiency causing restlessness and palpitations Those with spontaneous sweating due to deficiency or night sweats due to Yin deficiency Those with neurasthenia, nervous tension, or chronic fatigue Elderly individuals with weak constitution
Not suitable for：Those with excess pathogenic fire or qi stagnation – use with caution Those with liver hyperactivity, irritability, or liver-fire insomnia – contraindicated Those with spermatorrhea or chronic diarrhea – use with caution(Suanzaoren is moistening in nature and is most contraindicated for those with these conditions) Diabetic patients – should not overconsume Those with cold constitution – add fresh ginger to neutralize the cold nature Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and the elderly – consult a doctor before consumption
