Gruel with Bighead Atractylodes Rhizome for the Spleen

SOURCE: General Collection for Holy Relief

INGREDIENTS
Bighead atractylodes thizome, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae  30g
Areca seed, Semen Arecae (Binglang)  10g
Pig’s tripe  1
Fresh ginger, Rhizoma Zingiberis, Recens  (a bit)
Polished round-grained rice, Semen Oryzae Sativae   60g

PROCESS: Have the pig tripe washed clean and cut in to small pieces; decoct it together with the bighead atractylodes thizome, areca seeds and fresh ginger in water to get extract and discard the dregs.  Put in rice to make gruel.  Take the tripe out and eat it after dipping it in sesame oil and soy sauce.

DIRECTIONS: Take such gruel once in the morning and once in the evening.

  
EFFICACY: Reinforcing qi and replenishing the middle-jiao, strengthening the spleen and regulating the function of the stomach.

INDICATIONS: Deficiency of the spleen-qi and stomach-qi, manitisted as indigestion, anorexia, lassitude, short- ness of breath, Stomachache, loose stool, and discomfort during discharging excrement.

PRECAUTIONS: As areca seed in the above recipe belongs to the category that relieves stagnation of qi and consumes qi, the dose of it to be used shouldn't be too great.  Take such gruel for 3 to 5 days as a course of treatment; resume taking it three days later; stop taking it after recovering from the illness.