Lotus Seed Porridge

Lotus Seed Porridge

　　Lotus Seed Porridge contains components such as quercetin and luteolin, offering effects like refreshing fragrance, expectorant properties, clearing summer heat, and calming the nerves. The *Luo’s Compilation of Medical Mirrors* states: “The lotus clears the heart and benefits the kidneys, darkens the hair, and preserves one’s complexion.” It is an excellent medicinal and dietary beauty food that calms the heart, benefits qi, preserves youthfulness, and lightens the body.

　　Take twenty-five grams of lotus powder (made by drying fresh lotus petals in the shade and then grinding them into a fine powder) and one hundred grams of glutinous rice. Wash the glutinous rice clean and cook it into porridge with an appropriate amount of water. Once the porridge is cooked, add the lotus powder and continue cooking for another two minutes until it is warm enough to serve. This porridge has the effects of clearing summer heat, dispersing blood stasis, and beautifying the skin. Regular consumption can help preserve youthfulness, enhance complexion, prevent illness, and prolong life. It clears summer heat, disperses blood stasis, aids in weight loss, calms the mind, and benefits qi. Flowers not only offer a refreshing fragrance and pleasing colors that provide aesthetic enjoyment, but some flower buds and pollen, when consumed, can also regulate the nervous system, promote blood circulation, improve heart muscle function, boost the body’s immunity, and achieve therapeutic, fitness, beautifying, and longevity-enhancing effects. Incorporating flowers into cuisine can create dishes that are colorful, fragrant, and uniquely flavorful. Using flowers in porridge has since ancient times been a premium health-preserving and skin-beautifying delicacy. Here are several recipes presented for your enjoyment.