4 Types of Rice for Kidney Nourishment, Lung Protection, and Gastrointestinal Health

Different types of rice were believed to possess distinct therapeutic effects, contributing to overall body nourishment and good health.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), rice is regarded as a medicinal herb. Different rice varieties are believed to have therapeutic properties for various diseases. Diana Taliun/Shutterstock

The earliest Chinese medical text, the “Huangdi Neijing” or “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine,” documented only 13 herbal formulas, and one of them is a liquid derived from Five Grains (cereals). In ancient times, rice porridge was used medicinally for treating illnesses. Different types of rice were believed to possess distinct therapeutic effects, contributing to overall body nourishment and good health. In this article, we will outline the key benefits of various types of rice.

Four common types of rice include white, brown, black, and purple. The ancient belief of “five grains for nourishment” indicates that grains can nourish the body, which aligns with modern nutritional principles.

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White rice is believed to benefit the spleen and stomach, providing the body with energy and enhancing vitality. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the spleen not only plays a role in the immune system but also governs the body’s digestive system. The vital energy (qi) that circulates within the body and the blood that carries various nutrients both rely on the nutritional substances acquired through the spleen and stomach. It is essential to note that the TCM concept of zangfu (organs) does not necessarily correspond to the anatomical organs in modern Western medicine.