Soups
American Ginseng, Goji & Lily Bulb Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally supports the spleen and qi and replenishes fluids during recovery
Why people make this soup
After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, many people feel drained — poor appetite, thinning frame, low energy. In Chinese food tradition the answer is something gentle that supports the spleen and qi and brings back moisture. This light soup of American ginseng, goji berries and lily bulb is a long-loved choice for exactly that: a soothing bowl for the weak, tired days of recovery, made to be easy on the stomach.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People feeling weak, dry, low on energy, with poor appetite, night sweats or restlessness during or after illness or cancer treatment.
- Light and gentle, suitable for those with delicate digestion in recovery.
- This is a supportive food, not a treatment — keep following your oncology team and tell your doctor about new foods.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- American ginseng (hua qi shen): Traditionally associated with supporting qi and generating fluids without being heating; gentle enough for recovery.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Long valued for nourishing the body and supporting the eyes.
- Lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally associated with moistening the lungs and calming a restless mind.
- Lean pork (shou rou): Adds gentle, nourishing body.
Ingredients (about 3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American ginseng slices (hua qi shen) | ~19 g | Add at the very end |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~15 g | Rinsed |
| Fresh lily bulb (bai he) | ~75 g | Or ~38 g dried |
| Lean pork | To taste | Blanched |
| Water | 5 bowls |
Method
- Blanch the lean pork; rinse the goji berries and lily bulb.
- Put the pork and goji berries in a pot with 5 bowls of water and simmer about 30 minutes.
- Add the lily bulb and cook 10 minutes more.
- Finally add the American ginseng slices, turn off the heat, and let it steep, covered, for a few minutes before serving.
Bro Niu’s tips
American ginseng contains volatile oils, so it is best sliced thin and added only after the soup is cooked, off the heat. This soup is light and moistening, and also helps people who feel weak after illness, with low energy, night sweats or a restless, agitated feeling.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Carol Wong): My father is having radiation for prostate cancer — 38 sessions, 14 done — and is starting to feel tired and dry-mouthed. What soup or double-boiled tonic could ease this? Bro Niu: From a reputable herb shop, get American ginseng and dendrobium (shi hu) powder; take 2 teaspoons of each with warm water twice a day to support the stomach and generate fluids. You can also juice a small carrot, apple and potato (peeled) together and drink it within 5 minutes — about 4 times a week — to support overall vitality. A soup of adzuki beans, red-skin peanuts, red dates and goji berries is also good, about 3 times a week.
- Q (Anita Fong): Can a breast-cancer patient in recovery eat black goji berries? Bro Niu: During breast-cancer recovery you may eat black goji berries; they are good for health.
Published April 27, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
