Spring is the season when all things flourish, and the body's organs also become more active. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that spring is the time when the liver is in its prime. Taking this opportunity to nourish the liver can prevent yin deficiency in the summer, but over-supplementation may lead to excessive liver fire. Therefore, it is advisable to eat congee to nourish the liver in spring. Here are five recipes for liver-nourishing congee; you may try them according to your specific needs.
Goji Berry Congee
30g goji berries, 60g rice. First, cook the rice until it is half-done, then add the goji berries and cook until ready to eat. It is especially suitable for those who often suffer from dizziness, dry eyes, tinnitus, spermatorrhea, soreness in the lower back and knees. For patients with hepatitis, goji berry congee has the excellent effects of protecting the liver, promoting liver cell regeneration.
Pork Liver and Mung Bean Congee
100g fresh pork liver, 60g mung beans, 100g rice, and an appropriate amount of salt and monosodium glutamate. First, wash the mung beans and rice and cook them together. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a low simmer. When the congee is about 80% cooked, add the sliced or strip-cut pork liver and continue cooking until done. Season with condiments. This congee nourishes the liver and blood, clears heat and brightens the eyes, and beautifies the skin. It can make one's complexion radiant and is especially suitable for those who are weak with a sallow complexion, diminished vision, or blurred vision.
Mulberry Congee
30g mulberries (or 60g fresh mulberries), 60g glutinous rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Wash the mulberries and cook them with the glutinous rice. Add rock sugar when cooked. This congee can nourish liver yin and enrich the blood to brighten the eyes. It is suitable for dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, tinnitus, soreness in the lower back, and premature graying of hair caused by liver and kidney deficiency.
Cassia Seed Congee
10g cassia seeds, 60g rice, and a little rock sugar. First, decoct the cassia seeds in water to extract the juice. Then, cook the rice with this juice. Add rock sugar to the finished congee. This congee clears the liver, brightens the eyes, and promotes bowel movements. It is significantly effective for red, swollen eyes, photophobia, excessive tearing, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and habitual constipation.
Plum Blossom Congee
Take 5g white plum blossoms and 80g japonica rice. First, cook the rice into congee, then add the white plum blossoms and boil for 2-3 minutes. Eat one bowl per meal, and you can continue for 3-5 days. Plum blossoms are neutral in nature and can soothe the liver and regulate qi, stimulating the appetite. It is quite effective for those with poor appetite, and for healthy individuals, it can boost their spirits.