A Kidney-Strengthening, Asthma-Suppressing Dietary Recipe: Ginkgo, Euryale Seed and Glutinous Rice Congee

Take 10 ginkgo nuts, 30 g of glutinous rice and 30 g of euryale seed (Qianshi), cook them together into a congee, and eat it once a day. Ten days make one course of treatment. It can consolidate the kidney and calm asthma, and has a good therapeutic effect on asthma accompanied by frequent urination, or on isolated asthma or isolated frequent urination with excessively high urine protein. According to a report by the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, this dietary recipe has an effective rate as high as 89.1% for chronic glomerulonephritis. However, its use is not limited to this. Based on the traditional Chinese medicine idea that the lung and kidney share a common origin, this recipe can treat not only kidney disease but also asthma caused by kidney deficiency, or patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who present with deficiency of both lung and kidney.

In this formula, ginkgo nut (Baiguo) benefits lung qi, treats cough and wheezing, stops leukorrhea and intestinal parasites, reduces excessive urination, and checks leukorrhea and turbid urine. Glutinous rice is one of the staple foods commonly used in southern China; it supplements center qi, fortifies the spleen and stomach, and has an astringing effect, giving it a good dietary therapeutic effect on frequent urination and night sweats. The main actions of euryale seed (Qianshi) are to secure the kidney and astringe essence, supplement the spleen and stop diarrhea; it treats seminal emission, turbid urine, leukorrhea, urinary incontinence and loose stools. The Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica) lists it as a superior-grade herb, holding that euryale seed can "benefit essential qi, strengthen the will, sharpen the ears and eyes; taken long term it lightens the body, prevents hunger and prolongs life like that of an immortal."

This recipe also has a good dietary therapeutic effect on gynecological leukorrhea disorders. In addition, ginkgo nut has the effects of activating blood and resolving stasis, nourishing the complexion, removing spots and clearing acne; combined with glutinous rice and euryale seed, it fortifies the spleen and drains dampness.

This recipe is not suitable for diabetic patients. For some people, ginkgo nut can cause side effects when eaten in large quantities, mainly producing respiratory and cutaneous discomfort, and may even cause diseases such as allergic dermatitis.