Series on Porridges Suitable for Hypertension (Part 3): Spleen-Strengthening and Kidney-Nourishing Recipes, From Corn Porridge to Apple Porridge

Corn Porridge [Ingredients] ½ cup white rice, ½ cup crushed corn, a small piece of purple yam, 10 cups water, 1 cup sugar. [Instructions] ① Wash the white rice and crushed corn, add 10 cups of water and soak for 20 minutes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat to make porridge. ② Peel, wash, and dice the purple yam. Add it to the porridge and cook until soft. Add sugar to taste, stir well, turn off the heat, and serve. [Benefits] Appetizing, promotes diuresis and reduces swelling.

Blood Pressure Lowering Cassia Seed Porridge [Ingredients]25g roasted cassia seeds, 20g white chrysanthemum, 200g japonica rice, appropriate amount of white sugar. [Instructions]Decoct the cassia seeds and white chrysanthemum twice with an appropriate amount of water, the first time for 1 hour, the second time for half an hour. Filter the decoction. Wash the japonica rice, add water and the decoction, and simmer over low heat until it becomes porridge. [Effects]Clears the liver, improves eyesight, and relieves constipation. Suitable for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and habitual constipation.

Longan and Job's Tears Porridge [Ingredients]80g japonica rice, 50g Job's tears, 20g dried longan pulp, rock sugar and chopped green onions (to taste). [Instructions] ① Place the dried longan pulp and rock sugar in a porcelain cup and add warm water to dissolve. Remove the outer shell of the Job's tears, wash them, and soak them in water. ② Rinse the japonica rice and place it in a clay pot. Add an appropriate amount of water and the Job's tears. Cook over high heat until the rice is about 70% cooked. Add the longan and rock sugar syrup, reduce heat to low, and simmer until it becomes porridge. Add chopped green onions before serving. [Benefits]Strengthens the spleen and stomach, replenishes vital energy.

Ophiopogon japonicus and Oyster Rice [Ingredients] 3g Ophiopogon japonicus, 40g oyster meat, 50g kelp, 150g celery, 50g onion, 150g japonica rice, 30g soaked shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce, salt, and MSG to taste. [Instructions] ① Place Ophiopogon japonicus in a clay pot, add an appropriate amount of water, simmer over low heat to extract the juice, set aside; wash the kelp, soak thoroughly, and cut into sections. ② Wash the oyster meat in diluted salt water, then place it in a container with a perforated bottom. Place the container over the mouth of a large bowl to allow the drained water to drip into the bowl, set aside. ③ Put an appropriate amount of water in a pot, add the Ophiopogon japonicus decoction, and add the kelp sections to the pot to cook. Then add the oyster meat and the water from the bowl, add soy sauce, salt, and MSG, cover and bring to a boil. Add the oyster meat and cooked rice from another pot, along with the washed and chopped shiitake mushrooms, onion, and celery. Add water as needed depending on the amount of broth, bring to a boil briefly, then remove from heat. [Efficacy]Suitable for hypertension.

Jellyfish Porridge [Preparation] ① Rinse the jellyfish skin thoroughly and cut it into thin strips; rinse the rice thoroughly and set aside. ② Add an appropriate amount of water to a pot, add the rice and cook into porridge. When almost cooked, add the jellyfish strips and cook for another two or three boils. Serve with salted duck eggs. [Efficacy] Jellyfish is neutral in nature and salty in taste. It has the effects of clearing heat and moistening the intestines, eliminating phlegm and stagnation, lowering blood pressure, and calming the fetus. Duck eggs are cool in nature and sweet in taste. They have the effects of clearing heat and phlegm, nourishing yin, and relieving cough.

Goji Berry and Red Date Porridge [Ingredients]15g goji berries, 9 red dates, 75g japonica rice. [Instructions]Place a pot on the stove, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil, then add goji berries, red dates, and japonica rice. Simmer until the rice is thoroughly cooked. Eat as a late-night snack before bedtime. [Benefits]Calms the mind and soothes the nerves, invigorates the heart and kidneys. Suitable for palpitations, insomnia, dizziness, and damage caused by excessive sexual activity due to kidney deficiency.

Purslane Porridge [Ingredients]100g fresh purslane, 60g japonica rice. [Instructions] ① Wash and finely chop the purslane; wash the japonica rice. ② Put the rice in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until it becomes porridge. Add the purslane and cook until done. Season to taste. [Efficacy]Clears heat and detoxifies, regulates the stomach and intestines. Suitable for those with intestinal cancer due to damp-heat accumulation, with symptoms such as bloody stools, tenesmus, and abdominal discomfort. Not suitable for those with intestinal cancer of the deficiency-cold type with loose stools.

Lentil and Sesame Porridge [Ingredients]60g japonica rice, 50g lentils, 20g sesame seeds, appropriate amount of white sugar and chopped green onions. [Instructions] ① Soak lentils in warm water until softened; rinse sesame seeds. ② Rinse japonica rice and place it in a clay pot with lentils and enough water to cover. Cook over high heat until 80% done. Add sesame seeds and white sugar. When the porridge thickens, add chopped green onions and stir well. [Benefits]Nourishes the liver and kidneys, strengthens the spleen and moistens dryness. Suitable for patients with hypertension due to liver and kidney yin deficiency or yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity.

Yam and Lychee Porridge [Ingredients]50g dried lychee pulp, 10g each of yam and lotus seeds, appropriate amount of rice. [Instructions]Crush the dried lychee pulp, yam, and lotus seeds. Add appropriate amount of water and simmer until the lychees are quite soft. Then add appropriate amount of rinsed rice and cook into porridge. Eat every evening. [Efficacy]Can treat kidney yang deficiency and early morning diarrhea.

Red Date and Lotus Seed Porridge [Ingredients]80g red dates, 50g lotus seeds, 200g japonica rice. [Instructions] ① Wash and pit the red dates; wash the lotus seeds and japonica rice. ② Place all ingredients in a clay pot, add enough water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until it becomes porridge. Season with a little salt. [Benefits]Red dates are mild in nature and have good nourishing properties. When cooked with lotus seeds and japonica rice, they have the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, astringing the intestines and consolidating essence, and nourishing the heart and calming the mind. It is especially suitable for consumption in spring.

Kudzu Root Porridge [Ingredients]30g kudzu root powder, 50g japonica rice. [Instructions]Wash the japonica rice and soak overnight. Place the rice and kudzu root powder in a clay pot, add 500g water, and simmer over low heat until the rice is cooked and the porridge is thick. [Effects]Clears heat and relieves dryness, promotes body fluid production and quenches thirst, lowers blood pressure, relieves muscle tension and promotes rash eruption. Suitable for hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes in the elderly.

Sea Cucumber Porridge [Ingredients]Rice, sea cucumber, dried shrimp, green vegetables, carrots, and eggs (all in appropriate amounts). [Instructions] ① Finely chop the sea cucumber, carrots, and green vegetables; beat the eggs. ② Lightly oil a frying pan, pour in the beaten egg mixture, and cook over low heat, swirling the pan to form a thin omelet. Remove from the pan and slice into strips. [Benefits] ① Sea cucumber contains chondroitin sulfate, which helps with human growth and development, can delay muscle aging, and enhance the body's immunity. It is also effective for aplastic anemia, diabetes, and gastric ulcers. ② Rice can improve the body's immune function and promote blood circulation, thereby reducing the chance of high blood pressure. Rice can also prevent diseases such as diabetes, beriberi, age spots, and constipation.

Ginkgo, Red Date, and Mung Bean Porridge [Ingredients]30g fresh ginkgo leaves, 20g red dates, 60g mung beans, sugar to taste. [Instructions] ① Wash the ginkgo leaves, chop them, and place them in a clay pot with 100g water. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, then strain and keep the liquid. Wash the red dates and soak them in warm water. ② Add the red dates, mung beans, and the ginkgo leaf liquid to the clay pot, add sugar, and cook until the mung beans are soft and tender. [Benefits]Nourishes heart qi, replenishes heart blood, lowers blood pressure and lipids, relieves summer heat and detoxifies. Suitable for patients with hypertension and coronary heart disease.

Apple Porridge [Ingredients]1 cup white rice, 1 apple, 2 tablespoons raisins, 10 cups water, 4 tablespoons honey. [Instructions] ① Wash the white rice and drain. Wash the apple, remove the core, and slice. ② Add 10 cups of water to a pot and bring to a boil. Add the white rice and apple slices, and stir briefly when boiling. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 minutes. Add the honey and raisins, stir well, and serve. [Benefits]Suitable for people with high blood pressure.