Soups
American Ginseng, Wood Ear and Fig Soup
Traditionally nourishes yin and supports the bowel against heat and dryness
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu notes that the cause of ulcerative colitis isn’t fully understood — it may relate to the immune system, stress, sensitive nerves or diet, and tends to affect young and middle-aged adults. He frames this gentle soup for the pattern of bowel heat with a dry throat and mouth, tiredness, inner restlessness and warm palms. It’s a light, soothing bowl meant to support yin while easing that hot, dry quality.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with colitis who feel dry-mouthed, fatigued, inwardly restless, with warm palms; the source associates it with bowel heat and bleeding of a yin-deficiency type, and notes it for hemorrhoid bleeding of that type too.
- Colitis and any rectal bleeding need a doctor’s assessment — this soup is supportive only.
- A mild, balanced soup suitable for regular family use.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- American ginseng (hua qi shen): Traditionally used to nourish yin, clear heat and generate fluids; added near the end so it isn’t overcooked.
- Black wood ear (bai bei hei mu er): Traditionally valued for moistening and supporting the blood.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Naturally sweet, traditionally used to soothe the throat and support the bowel.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American ginseng slices | ~11 g (3 qian) | Added at the end |
| White-backed black wood ear | 2 pieces | Soak, remove stems |
| Dried figs | 4 |
Method
- Soak the wood ear until soft and remove the stems.
- Put the wood ear and figs in a pot with 5 bowls of water and simmer about 1 hour.
- Add the American ginseng slices and cook about 5 more minutes. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup also suits hemorrhoid bleeding of a yin-deficiency, internal-heat type. If you’d like to double up for a family of three, just add an extra piece of wood ear; you can sweeten with a little rock sugar. With a pressure cooker, the ginseng can go in with everything from the start.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Ide Yuen): Is this soup helpful for polyps? Can it be drunk for general wellness? How much is left after boiling 5 bowls for an hour? Can I double the quantity for three people? Bro Niu: Polyps are hard to clear with food therapy — see a doctor; surgery is quickest. Five bowls boiled for an hour leaves about 2 bowls, enough for three people; just add an extra piece of wood ear. With a pressure cooker the ginseng can go in together. You can add rock sugar to taste.
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Q (小仪): Every period I get a dry mouth and throat — can I drink this soup? I worry it’s too cooling; can I add lean pork and lily bulb? Bro Niu: A dry mouth and throat at the period is mainly a yin-deficiency sign. You can use beth (sha shen), polygonatum (yu zhu), lily bulb and red dates in a lean-pork soup, or simply steep American ginseng with figs as a tea — both are beneficial.
Published August 19, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
