Soups
American Ginseng, Yu Zhu and Dried Conch Soup
A nourishing soup traditionally chosen to moisten the lungs and ease yin-deficiency dryness
Why people make this soup
A busy festive stretch — late nights, plus plenty of fried and oily food — often leaves people feeling “yin-deficient and heaty”: mouth ulcers, a bitter or dry mouth, that parched feeling. Bro Niu’s answer is a moistening, cooling tonic soup. This American ginseng, polygonatum and dried conch soup is traditionally chosen to moisten the lungs, ease dryness and gently nourish yin, making it a soothing pot for anyone who’s been running hot and dry.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with yin-deficiency dryness: dry or bitter mouth, mouth ulcers, that parched, heaty feeling.
- Do not drink while you have a fever, body aches or an active cold — wait until the cold has cleared. Those of a yang-deficient (cold) constitution may find cooling tonics like this less suitable. A 9-month-old can take half a bowl of this mild soup.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- American ginseng (hua qi shen): Traditionally used to boost qi and nourish yin and generate fluids; because it’s volatile, slice it thin and add only at the very end.
- Polygonatum / yu zhu: Traditionally used to moisten and nourish yin; sea-polygonatum (hai yu zhu) can be used instead.
- Dried sea conch (xiang luo gan): Traditionally seen as nourishing yin; gives the soup its rich, savory sweetness.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American ginseng (hua qi shen) | ~11 g | Sliced; add at the end |
| Polygonatum (yu zhu) | ~18.75 g | Sea-yu-zhu is fine |
| Dried sea conch (xiang luo gan) | ~75 g | Blanch first |
| Lean pork | ~150 g | Blanch first |
Method
- Blanch the dried conch and lean pork. Rinse and soak the polygonatum.
- Simmer the pork, conch and polygonatum in 8 bowls of water down to about 4 bowls.
- Add the sliced American ginseng, simmer 5 minutes more, then serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is tasty and the whole family can drink it. You can use sea-polygonatum (hai yu zhu) in place of the regular kind. If there’s restless yin-deficient insomnia, add about 37.5 g of lily bulb (bai he) to the pot.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Peony): Only simmer the American ginseng for 5 minutes? What if I add it earlier? I only have whole roots — when do I add them? Bro Niu: American ginseng contains volatile oils, so its benefit can simmer away if cooked too long; add the slices last. For a whole root, steam it 7 minutes, slice, then add to the soup or tea for just 5 minutes for best effect.
- Q (a Gui): Can I drink this soup if I have a cold? Bro Niu: If the cold has no fever, you may; but with a fever you should not take a tonic soup.
- Q (nat): I’m 5 months pregnant — can I drink this American ginseng soup? Bro Niu: At 5 months you may. Brewing American ginseng as a tea is fine too — but avoid any qi-moving herbs in the week before delivery.
Published February 8, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
