Healing Properties of Rice, Grains & Congee
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The Healing Properties of Rice, Grains and Congee
Grains are the staple of most diets all over the world. A rich source
of vitamins and minerals, grains can be used for a variety of
ailments based on not only their nutritional value but on their taste
and temperature as well.
Healing Properties of Grain
Amaranth - Cooling thermal nature, dries dampness, benefits the
lungs, high in protein (15-18%), fiber, amino acids (lysine and
methionine), vitamin C, and calcium. It contains more calcium and the
supporting calcium cofactors (magnesium and silicon) than milk.
Barley - Cooling thermal nature, sweet and salty flavor, strengthens
the spleen-pancreas, regulates the stomach, and fortifies the
intestines. Builds the blood and yin fluids and moistens dryness,
promotes diuresis, benefits the gallbladder and nerves, very easily
digested. A decoction of 2 oz. pearl barley or roasted whole barley
toa quart of water is traditionally used for convalescents and
invalids, treats diarrhea, soothes inflamed membranes, alleviates
painful and difficult urination, quells fever, helps reduce tumors,
swellings, and watery accumulations such as edema.
Buckwheat - Neutral thermal nature, sweet flavor, cleans and
strengthens the intestines and improves appetite. Is effective for
treating dysentery and chronic diarrhea. Rutin, a bioflavonoid found
in buckwheat, strengthens capillaries and blood vessels, inhibits
hemorrhages, reduces blood pressure, and increases circulation to the
hands and feet. Rutin is also an antidote against x-rays and other
forms of radiation.
Corn - Neutral thermal nature, sweet flavor, diuretic, nourishes the
physical heart, influences the stomach, improves appetite, and hleps
regulate digestion, promotes healthy teeth and gums, tonifies the
kidneys and helps overcome sexual weakness. Drink a tea decoction
made from whole dried kernels to treat kidney disease.
Millet - Cooling thermal nature, sweet and salty flavor, diuretic,
strengthens the kidneys, beneficial to stomach and spleen-pancreas,
builds the yin fluids, moistens dryness, alkalizing, balances over-
acid conditions, sweetens breath by retarding bacteria growth in
mouth, high amino acid profile and rich silicon content, helps
prevent miscarriage, anti-fungal, one of the best grains for those
with Candida albicans overgrowth. Also useful for diarrhea, vomiting,
indigestion, and diabetes. Soothes morning sickness.
Oats - Warming thermal nature, sweet and slightly bitter flavor,
soothing, restores nervous and reproductive systems, strengthens
spleen-pancreas, builds and regulates qi energy, removes cholesterol
from the digestive tract and arteries, strengthens cardiac muscles.
Can be used in cases of dysentery, diabetes, hepatitis, nervous and
sexual debility, indigestion and swelling including abdominal
bloating. One of the richest silicon foods, oats help renew the bones
and all connective tissues. oats also contain phosphurus, required
for brain and nerve formulation during youth.
Quinoa - Warming thermal nature, sweet and sour flavor, generally
strengthening for the whole body, specifically tonifies the kidney
yang(warming and energizing function of the body) and the pericardium
functions. Compared wit other grains, it has the highest protein
content. Contains more calcium than milk and is higher in fat content
than any grain. A very good source of iron, phoshorous, B vitamins,
and vitamin E.
Wild Rice Cooling thermal nature, sweet and bitter flavor, diuretic,
benefits the kidneys and bladder. Has more protein than other rice.
It is rich in minerals and B vitamins and is a hardy food for cold
climates, it cools the superficial tissues and concentrates warmth in
the interior and lower body areas.
Healing Properties of Congee
Traditionally known as "hsi-fan" or rice water, congee is eaten
throughout China as a breakfast food. It is thin porridge or gruel
consisting of a handful of rice simmered in five to six times the
amount of water. Although rice is the most common grain for congees,
millet, spelt, or other grains are sometimes used. Cook the rice and
water in a covered pot for 4-6 hours on warm, or use a crock pot. It
is better to use too much water than too little, and it is said the
longer congee cooks, the more powerful it becomes.
The healing properties of this simple rice soup are that they can
easily be digested and assimilated, tonifies the blood and the Qi
energy, harmonizes the digestion, and is demulcent, cooling, and
nourishing. Since the chronically ill person often has weak blood and
low energy, and easily develops inflammations and other heat symptoms
from deficiency of yin fluids, the cooling , demulcent and tonifying
properties of congee are particularly welcome. it is useful for
increasing a nursing mother's supply of milk. The liquid can be
strained from the porridge to drink as a supplement for infants and
for serious conditions.
Other therapeutic properties may be added to the congee by cooking
appropriate vegetables, grains, herbs, or meats in with the rice
water. Since the rice itself strengthens the spleen-pancreas
digestive center, other foods added to a rice congee become more
completely assimilated, and their properties are therefore enhanced.
Listed below are some of the more common rice-based congees and their
specific effects.
Aduki Bean - Diuretic: curative for edema and gout.
Apricot Kernel - Recommended for coughs and asthma, expels sputum and
intestinal gas.
Carrot - Digestive aid, eliminates flatulence.
Celery - Cooling in summer, benefits large intestine.
Chestnut - Tonifies kidneys, strengthens knees and groin, useful in
treating anal hemorrhages.
Water Chestnut - Cooling to the viscera, benefits digestive organs.
Chicken or Mutton Broth - Recommended for wasting illnesses and
injuries.
Duck or Carp Broth - Reduces edema and swelling.
Fennel - Harmonizes stomach, expels gas, cures hernia.
Ginger - Warming and antiseptic to viscera, used for deficient cold
digestive weakness, diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting and indigestion.
Kidney from Pig, Sheep or Deer - Strengthens kidneys, benefits knees
and lower back, treats impotence.(use organic kidney)
Leek - Warming to viscera, good for chronic diarrhea.
Liver from Sheep or Chicken - Benefits diseases of the liver, very
powerful.
Mallow - Moistening for feverishness, aids digestion.
Mung Bean - Cooling, especially for summer heat, reduces fevers,
thirst relieving.
Mustard - Expels phlegm, clears stomach congestion.
Onion - Diaphoretic, lubricating to muscles. Rich in sulfur compounds
called Thiosulfinates-they are anti-inflammatory and contain Vitamin
C, Quercetin and a powerful antioxidant.
Black Pepper - Expels gas, recommended for pain in bowels.
Red Pepper- Prevents malaria and cold conditions.
Pine Nut Kernel - Moistening to heart and lungs, harmonizes large
intestine, useful in wind diseases and constipation.
Poppy Seed - Relieves vomiting and benefits large intestine.
Purslane - Detoxifies, recommended for rheumatism and swellings.
Radish - Digestant, benefits the diaphragm.
Pickled Radish (salt) - Benefits digestion and blood.
Brown Rice - Diuretic, thirst quenching, nourishing, good for nursing
mothers.
Sweet Rice - Demulcent, used for diarrhea, vomiting and indigestion.
Scallion Bulb - Cures cold diarrhea in the aged.
Sesame Seed - Moistening to the intestines, treats rheumatism.
Shepherd's Purse - Brightens the eyes and benefits the liver.
Spinach - Harmonizes and moistening the viscera, sedative.
Taro Root - Nutritious, aids the stomach, builds blood.
Wheat - Cooling, used with fevers, clears digestive tract, also
calming and sedating due to wheat's nourishing effect on the heart.
Yogurt and Honey - Beneficial to heart and lungs.
Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac
https://www.peacefulmind.com/food.htm
*** The rice, grain and congee information has been taken from
Healing With Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford. This is an excellent
resource book that we highly recommend to anyone wishing enhanced
health.
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