A series of porridge recipes suitable for people with high blood pressure (Part 1): A liver-soothing and kidney-nourishing formula with Gastrodia elata, Uncaria rhynchophylla, yam, and mung beans.

Porridge

Lotus Leaf Rice [Ingredients] 2 fresh lotus leaves, 150g rice, 10 red dates, a pinch of salt. [Instructions] ① Rinse the rice thoroughly and cook in a clay pot for 20 minutes. ② Wash the red dates and remove the pits; wash the fresh lotus leaves and lay them flat. ③ Mix the half-cooked rice with the red dates and salt, then wrap it in the lotus leaves and steam over low heat until fragrant. [Efficacy] Promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, clears heat and generates fluids. Suitable for hypertension caused by heart-kidney disharmony, blood stasis obstructing the meridians, and phlegm obstruction, as well as dizziness, vertigo, and loss of appetite.

Corn Rice Stew [Ingredients] 200g cooked rice, 50g celery, 50g ham, 1 can of sweet corn, 2 eggs, a little salt, cornstarch, and broth. [Instructions] ① Dice the ham; wash and finely chop the celery. ② Heat a wok, pour in the corn and its pulp, add broth and cook until boiling. Add salt, thicken with cornstarch, and when boiling again, crack in the eggs and stir quickly. Turn off the heat just before it bubbles. ③ Place the hot rice in a bowl, pour the cooked sweet corn pulp and eggs over it, and finally sprinkle with chopped ham and celery. Mix well and serve. [Benefits] Benefits the lungs and kidneys, helps dilate blood vessels, and can lower blood pressure.

Walnut Rice [Ingredients] 100g cooked rice, 50g diced chicken, 30g walnuts, 30g salad oil, 10g scallions. [Instructions] ① Fry the walnuts in oil until fragrant, then set aside. Briefly fry the diced chicken in oil until cooked through, then drain. Chop the scallions. Place the cooked rice in a bowl. ② Pour the salad oil into a wok and heat over high heat until it reaches 60% of its smoking point. Add the scallions and sauté until fragrant. Then add the diced chicken, cooked rice, and walnuts. Stir-fry evenly and remove from heat. [Benefits] Promotes bowel movement, tonifies the kidneys and strengthens yang. Suitable for hypertension, constipation, and impotence.

Rabbit Meat and Banana Porridge [Ingredients]100g rabbit meat, 100g japonica rice, 4 bananas, appropriate amounts of shredded ginger, chopped green onion, salt, and MSG. [Instructions] ① Wash the rabbit meat and cut it into small cubes the size of beans; rinse the japonica rice; peel the bananas and cut them into small pieces. ② Add an appropriate amount of water to a pot, add the japonica rice, bring to a boil, then add the rabbit cubes, shredded ginger, chopped green onion, and salt. Cook until the porridge is done, then add the banana pieces, cook briefly, and season with MSG. One serving per day. [Efficacy] Nourishes qi and generates fluids, cools blood and moistens dryness. Suitable for hypertension caused by liver stagnation transforming into fire and wind-yang disturbance.

Hawthorn and Albizia Flower Porridge [Ingredients]15g raw hawthorn, 30g albizia flowers, 60g japonica rice, appropriate amount of white sugar. [Instructions]Decoct the hawthorn and albizia flowers together in water, remove the dregs from the liquid, add the washed japonica rice and cook into porridge. Once cooked, add sugar and cook for a few more minutes. [Effects]Relieves depression and calms the mind, promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis. Suitable for patients with hyperlipidemia of the qi stagnation and blood stasis type.

Tofu Skin and Pea Porridge [Ingredients]150g soaked tofu skin, 50g peas, 15 red dates, 50g japonica rice. [Instructions]Cut the tofu skin into 1cm pieces and place in a bowl. Clean the red dates, rinse them with water, and add them to a clay pot with the rinsed peas. Add water and simmer until the peas are tender. Add the rinsed japonica rice, stir well, and continue to simmer until it becomes a thick porridge. Add the tofu skin pieces and simmer over low heat until it boils. [Effects]Regulates the middle jiao (digestive system), nourishes yin, and lowers blood pressure. Suitable for hypertension.

Yam and Mung Bean Porridge [Ingredients] 200g rice, 50g mung beans, 150g yam. [Instructions] ① Peel the yam and soak it in water; rinse the rice; wash the mung beans and soak them in boiling water for about 20 minutes. ② Heat water in a pot until it almost boils, add the rice, and once it boils again, add the mung beans. Cook until the mung beans have expanded, then add the yam and cook until done. [Benefits] ① Strengthens the spleen and stomach, aids digestion, and is beneficial for the digestive and absorptive functions of the spleen and stomach. It is a mild tonic for the spleen and stomach, suitable for both spleen yang deficiency and stomach yin deficiency. Clinically, it is often used in combination with gastrointestinal drinks to treat spleen and stomach weakness, poor appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, and other symptoms.

Celery Porridge [Ingredients]60g fresh celery, 50-100g japonica rice. [Instructions]Wash and chop the celery, then add it to a clay pot with the washed japonica rice and about 600g of water. Cook together to make porridge. [Benefits]Clears heat and calms the liver, strengthens the kidneys and promotes urination. Suitable for hypertension and diabetes.