Soups
American Ginseng, Solomon's Seal and Dried Conch Soup
Traditionally nourishes yin and moistens dryness, eases a bitter, dry mouth
Why people make this soup
Work late, sleep too little, and your mouth can turn bitter and dry — what traditional thinking calls yin-deficient heat or excess liver fire. An easy daily fix is American ginseng slices steeped as a tea, with a little chrysanthemum. But if you simmer it with yin-nourishing yu zhu and dried conch, you get a soup that is both delicious and moistening, and is traditionally taken to ease that bitter, dry-mouth feeling.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Adults who run dry and heaty from late nights or short sleep, with a bitter, dry mouth
- If American ginseng doesn’t agree with you, sha shen (Adenophora) is a gentle substitute
- Avoid yin-nourishing herbs like sha shen and yu zhu while a cold is still unresolved
- Toddlers should go easy on ginseng-family herbs; tai zi shen is gentler for a child who is qi-deficient
- American ginseng tea is fine in moderation during pregnancy, but skip qi-moving herbs and ginseng teas near the due date
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- American ginseng (hua qi shen): traditionally cooling, tonifies qi while generating fluids — good for a dry, heaty picture.
- Solomon’s seal (yu zhu): classic yin-nourishing, moistening herb.
- Dried conch (xiang luo gan): prized for a rich, savoury stock and traditionally nourishing.
- Lean pork: rounds out the soup and adds body.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American ginseng slices | ~11 g | Added at the very end |
| Solomon’s seal (yu zhu) | ~19 g | Soaked and rinsed; hai yu zhu works too |
| Dried conch | ~75 g | Soaked and rinsed |
| Lean pork | ~225 g | Blanched |
Method
- Soak and rinse the yu zhu and dried conch; blanch the pork.
- First simmer the yu zhu, dried conch and pork in 8 bowls of water down to 4 bowls.
- Turn off the heat, add the American ginseng slices, cover and steep 5 minutes. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
American ginseng contains volatile oils, so add it only after the soup is cooked and the heat is off — otherwise the beneficial compounds simmer away.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (reader): Can I use hai yu zhu instead, and is the amount the same? Can I add carrot and corn? Bro Niu: Yes, hai yu zhu works at the same amount, and adding carrot and corn is no problem.
-
Q (Angel): I wake with a bitter mouth and tongue and this soup suits me, but American ginseng doesn’t agree with me — what can replace it? Bro Niu: You can use sha shen (Adenophora) instead.
-
Q (Crystal): Can a pregnant woman drink American ginseng? Bro Niu: American ginseng tea in moderation is fine. In late pregnancy near the due date, stop all qi-moving herbs and ginseng teas.
Published October 18, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
