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Black-Bone Chicken Glutinous Rice Porridge

(Jīguī Jīngmǐ Zhōu / 鸡归)粳米粥

 

 

Black-bone chicken porridge with glutinous rice is a medicinal congee made by simmering black-bone chicken together with herbs such as Astragalus, Angelica sinensis, red dates, and glutinous rice.
 

This nourishing congee strengthens the internal organs, tonifies qi and blood, strengthens the spleen and stomach, and boosts overall energy.
 

It is suitable for conditions related to qi and blood deficiency, general weakness, and fatigue.

 

TCM Therapeutic Effects

• Restorative tonic during post-illness recovery (滋补强身)
• Helps regulate internal organ function (调整内脏功能)
• Excellent for fatigue recovery in weak constitutions

 

Suitable For

Commonly recommended for:

• Women with qi and blood deficiency after childbirth
• Individuals who are frail or experiencing severe fatigue
• The elderly with declining physical strength
• People recovering after illness

 

Ingredients

• 1 Black-bone chicken (乌骨鸡 / black-bone chicken)
• Glutinous rice (糯米) 50 g
• Astragalus root (黄芪) 45 g
• Angelica sinensis (当归) 15 g
• Red dates (大枣) 15 pieces
• Cinnamon bark (肉桂) 3 g
• Salt as needed

 

Preparation

1. Clean the black-bone chicken, removing feathers and internal organs.
2. Combine Astragalus, Angelica, red dates, and cinnamon bark; decoct them twice for 30 minutes to obtain about 2000 ml of medicinal broth.
3. Add the chicken and glutinous rice into the herbal broth and cook into porridge.
4. Season with salt. Consume once every 1–2 weeks.

 

Astragalus (黄芪 / Huángqí)

Astragalus is one of the most common and essential herbs in TCM.
It tastes sweet, is slightly warm in nature, and enters the Spleen and Lung meridians.
It has long been regarded as a primary herb for strengthening zhèngqì (vital qi), especially noted for its strong qi-tonifying properties.

 

Major Functions and Actions

● Tonifies qi and strengthens the exterior (补气固表)

• Improves weakness, shortness of breath, and spontaneous sweating.
• Strengthens defensive qi to reduce spontaneous sweating (自汗).

 

● Promotes urination and reduces edema (利水消肿)

• Helpful for edema and urinary difficulty caused by qi deficiency.

 

● Promotes tissue regeneration (托疮生肌)

• Enhances circulation and metabolism, aiding wound healing and tissue repair.

 

● Raises yang qi and treats prolapse (升阳举陷)

• Useful for chronic diarrhea, organ prolapse, and sinking of middle qi.

 

● Enhances immunity

Modern pharmacological studies show Astragalus contains:

• Astragalus polysaccharides
• Saponins
• Flavonoids
  These contribute to immune regulation, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

● Beauty and skin benefits

Improves blood circulation, helping lighten pigmentation and slow skin aging.

 

Daily Use

Astragalus is widely used both as medicine and food.

 

● As a tea

Infuse in hot water; can add goji berries or red dates.

 

● In soups

Common with chicken, duck, or beef ribs to enhance qi and blood.

 

● In medicinal recipes

Examples: Astragalus black-bone chicken soup, Astragalus pork rib soup.

 

Contraindications & Cautions

Not everyone is suitable for Astragalus. Use based on TCM pattern diagnosis.

Avoid in:

• Yin deficiency with heat (night sweats, dry mouth, heat in palms/soles)
• Acute infections or fever (cold, sore throat, bronchitis)
• Damp-heat or food stagnation (Astragalus is a tonic herb for deficiency, not excess)
• Late pregnancy (may overstimulate fetal growth)

 

Cautions

• Excessive intake may cause internal heat.
• Those with weak digestion may experience bloating or poor appetite.
• Adjust dosage according to constitution.

 

Angelica Sinensis (当归 / Dāngguī)

Angelica sinensis is a major TCM herb known for tonifying and invigorating blood, regulating menstruation, relieving pain, and moistening the intestines.
Called the “holy herb for the blood” (血中圣药), it is widely used in gynecological conditions and blood-deficiency or blood-stagnation disorders.

 

Major Functions

● Tonifies and invigorates blood

Useful for pale complexion, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia.
The classic formula Danggui Buxue Tang (Angelica + Astragalus) is a fundamental qi- and blood-tonifying prescription.

 

● Regulates menstruation & relieves pain

Used for:

• Irregular menstruation
• Amenorrhea
• Dysmenorrhea
• Postpartum recovery

Part of the famous formula Siwu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction).

 

● Moistens intestines & relieves constipation

Beneficial for constipation due to blood deficiency and dryness.

 

● Modern Effects

Research shows Angelica has:

• Antithrombotic effects
• Hepatoprotective activity
• Immune regulation
• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
• Anti-aging effects

 

Cautions for Angelica

• Avoid in those with yin-deficient heat, liver fire, or lung heat.
• Use cautiously in people with diarrhea or weak digestion.
• Contraindicated in hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast cancer).
• Excess or prolonged use may cause signs of heat.

 

Cinnamon Bark (肉桂 / Ròuguì)

Note: “肉桂” can mean cinnamon bark (the herb) or meat chicken depending on context.
Here it refers to cinnamon bark.

Cinnamon bark comes from the trunk of Cinnamomum cassia. Thick bark with strong fragrance is preferred.

 

Properties

• Pungent, sweet, very hot in nature
• Warms interior yang, dispels cold, alleviates pain, and tonifies kidney yang
• Used for arthritis, menstrual pain, cold-type indigestion
• Widely used as cinnamon seasoning in Western cuisine (baking, coffee, desserts)

 

Cinnamomum Family Distinction

• “肉桂” = thick inner bark
• “桂皮/桂心” = thinner peeled cortex