Congee & Porridge
Twin Wood-Ear and Lily-Bud Congee
Traditionally associated with nourishing blood and easing period discomfort
Why people make this congee
Black wood-ear is neutral in nature, traditionally said to boost qi, nourish the blood and ease bleeding and pain; white fungus (also called snow ear) is traditionally associated with nourishing yin, moistening the lungs and soothing the stomach and bowel. Nourilo pairs the two with dried lily buds in a soft, easy congee that many find comforting for period support — gentle enough that young and old can enjoy it.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Those wanting a gentle dish for period support and easing menstrual discomfort; can be eaten during the period
- Suited to people recovering after childbirth or illness, and as a gentle dish for those in cancer care
- For heavy bleeding, large clots or a known fibroid, see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Black wood-ear (hei mu er): neutral; traditionally invigorates and nourishes the blood and is associated with easing stasis.
- White fungus / snow ear (xue er): traditionally nourishes yin, moistens the lungs and soothes the stomach and bowel.
- Dried lily buds (jin zhen): traditionally added to help ease period discomfort.
Ingredients (2-3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black wood-ear (hei mu er) | 2 qian (~7.5 g) | Soak soft, de-stem, shred |
| White fungus (xue er) | 2 qian (~7.5 g) | Soak soft, de-stem, shred |
| Dried lily buds (jin zhen) | 2 qian (~7.5 g) | Soak soft |
| White rice (bai mi) | 2 taels (~75 g) | Rinsed |
Method
- Soak the black wood-ear and white fungus until soft, remove the stems and shred. Soak the lily buds until soft.
- Rinse the rice.
- Combine the rice with the wood-ear, white fungus and lily buds, add water and simmer into a thin congee.
- Eat freely, as much as you like.
Nourilo’s Tips
This congee boosts qi and strengthens the body, and both young and old can take it; taken regularly it is also a comforting everyday dish. Do not keep it overnight — cook only as much as you will eat. During the period, you can also simmer a simple brown-sugar-and-ginger water alongside it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (winnie): I have many clots, period pain and heavy flow during my period — can I eat the wood-ear, snow-ear and lily-bud congee during my period? Any other soups? Nourilo: With period pain and many clots you can eat this congee. During the period you can also make a simple brown-sugar-and-ginger water.
- Q (Sa): My cycle is sometimes 30-plus days, sometimes 40-plus days — can this congee help regulate it? Nourilo: For an irregular cycle you can eat the twin wood-ear and lily-bud congee. You can also simmer 2 qian each of chuan xiong and dang gui, 3 qian white peony, 5 qian prepared rehmannia and 6 red dates in a chicken-breast soup, twice a week.
- Q (Felicia): I have a yin-deficient, internal-heat constitution; my doctor says I should not eat red dates or ginger water. But I have period pain and many clots — what can I do? Nourilo: You can simmer 3 pieces of black wood-ear with a little rock sugar in 5 bowls of water down to 2, which helps invigorate the blood and resolve stasis. Take it for 3 days.
Published April 14, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
