Recipe: Master Zhu's "Longevity Porridge"
Master Zhu Liangchun was a celebrated Chinese medicine doctor and head physician of Nantong Chinese Medicine Hospital in mainland China. Born in 1913, he started practicing Chinese medicine in 1939, and was known for his incredible experience and medical skills. He successfully treated difficult cases including curing a disabled patient and reducing the large tumor of a lymphoma patient. Even into his mid-90s, he was energetic and sharp, and lectured widely while continuing to practice medicine. And in his mid-90s, he was still seeing patients daily, often late into the night.
Master Zhu was interviewed about his excellent health at age 93, and this medicinal "Longevity Porridge" was his top recommendation--he drank a bowl daily for over 60 years. Blurring the line between food and herbs, this is a powerful Chinese medicine recipe for restoring depleted energy and preventing aging, disguised as a delicious food.
With a satisfying combination of diverse textures, it is also lightly sweetened naturally with superfood herbs Jujube and Goji berry. In Chinese medicine terms, the ingredients of this porridge move Qi and Blood, and dispel dampness and phlegm. Master Zhu said of this porridge: “It restores my energy and has been very helpful in delaying my aging. So I eat it year-round without fail.”
His family's "secret" addition to this porridge recipe includes an unusual preparation method using Astragalus water which we will detail below. This herb protects pre-natal Qi from being depleted, boosts immunity, and has anti-cancer properties.
All ingredients should be available at a Chinese grocery store, usually in the dried herbs and legumes section. The jujubes I am using in the video are our premium Fuping Jujubes, an extremely delicious varietal and are watered only with natural spring water (they can also be eaten straight out of the bag!).
For those who frequently find themselves fatigued and are interested in an herbal formula which replenishes depleted Qi, check out Bu Zhong Yi Qi. This also contains Astragalus as a leading herb. And for those dealing with internal dampness, check out Shen Ling Bai Zhu, an herbal formula which uses three of the damp-dispelling ingredients in this porridge.
Ingredients (5 servings):
- 50 g Mung beans (Lu Dou)
- 50 g Lotus seeds (Lian Zi)
- 50 g Coix seeds (Yi Yi Ren)
- 50 g White hyacinth beans (Bian Dou)
- 30 g Jujubes (Da Zao)
- 10 g Goji berries (Gou Qi Zi)
- 50 - 250 g Astragalus (Huang Qi): Master Zhu uses 250 for 5 servings. This is a fairly high amount, so we would suggest perhaps a lower dosage for young people
- Water: 3 bowls
Instructions:
1. Rinse ingredients: Combine all ingredients except Astragalus into a bowl and rinse under water.
2. In a separate bowl, rinse the Astragalus and then set aside to soak in water for 10 minutes. Pour out this water and refill bowl to soak for another 10 minutes.
3. In a large pot, pour in the bowl of Astragalus and water. Refill bowl with water and add this second bowl of water to the pot. Bring to a boil, then turn down to medium heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and pour out this liquid into a large bowl. Add one more bowl of water into the pot and cook the Astragalus for a second time for 20 minutes. Strain and pour this into the bowl.
4. Cook the porridge: Remove the cooked Astragalus from the pot and discard or compost. Strain the water out of the seeds and beans, and combine all seeds and beans, plus jujubes. Add the 3 bowls of Astragalus water into this pot to cook the porridge. Do not add any additional water. Bring to a boil.
5. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add goji berries: Add in the goji berries and cook for another 15 minutes.
7. Serve: Best enjoyed hot.
This porridge is highly nourishing and can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a comforting dish throughout the day.
For those seeking another anti-aging, immunity-boosting medicinal sweetened soup to make at home, check out our best-selling Baby Snow Fungus, which also come with pre-made accompany herb packs for easy preparation.