Fresh Reed Rhizome Porridge
Recipe and Usage: Fresh reed rhizome 100g, green tangerine peel 5g, glutinous rice 100g, ginger 2 slices. Wash the fresh reed rhizome, cut into 1 cm segments, and boil together with green tangerine peel in a pot with adequate cold water. Soak for 30 minutes, then bring to a vigorous boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain out the residue, add washed glutinous rice, and cook until the rice blooms and the porridge becomes thick and sticky. Add ginger 5 minutes before removing from heat. Consume twice daily, warm. This porridge combines the rich aroma of glutinous rice with the refreshing scent of reed rhizome, offering a smooth and pleasant taste.
This recipe's effects: Reed rhizome clears heat and nourishes yin, green tangerine peel regulates qi and relieves pain, ginger harmonizes the stomach and stops vomiting, and glutinous rice nourishes the stomach and spleen. Together, these ingredients effectively clear heat, harmonize the stomach, nourish yin, and relieve pain.
Indications and Contraindications: Suitable for peptic ulcer patients diagnosed with liver-stomach heat accumulation in TCM, presenting symptoms such as burning stomach pain, irritability, acid reflux, and bitter, dry mouth. Not suitable if there is cold stomach pain relieved by warmth or loose stools.
Dietary recommendations for peptic ulcer patients: Prefer easily digestible foods that strengthen the spleen and stomach. During flare-ups, eat small meals frequently, favoring soft foods like soft rice, noodles, thin porridge, lotus root starch, soy milk, oranges, etc. Maintain regular eating habits; avoid raw, cold, hard, fried, or greasy foods such as raw radish, persimmons, fried peanuts, burnt fish, roasted chicken. Also avoid alcohol, strong tea, and coffee, which increase gastric acid secretion and hinder ulcer healing. Patients with high gastric acid should avoid overly acidic foods like vinegar, sour plums, lemons, sour apples, and spicy items such as chili peppers, mustard, and black pepper, as they may stimulate ulcers and cause upper abdominal pain. Previously, milk was thought to buffer gastric acid and used as a treatment, but current understanding indicates its buffering effect is weak. Moreover, due to high protein content, milk stimulates increased gastrin secretion, leading to greater gastric acid production post-meal. Thus, milk-based meals or high-protein drinks are unsuitable for peptic ulcer patients. Additionally, maintain a regular lifestyle, avoid excessive fatigue and mental stress. Mild cases can be managed while working. For frequent or severe episodes, rest or hospitalization is recommended.