Soups
Five-Finger Peach, Niu Da Li, Chestnut and Scarlet Runner Bean Soup
Traditionally used to ease fatigue, strengthen the spleen and relax the sinews
Why people make this soup
When the weather swings between cold and warm and turns damp and foggy, a lot of people feel heavy and drowsy, with a stuffy chest, bloating and achy limbs. In food-therapy terms this is the body’s yang energy not flowing freely while dampness builds up. This soup is Bro Niu’s answer: it strengthens the spleen, helps clear dampness and relaxes the sinews.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for people feeling tired, heavy and sleepy in damp weather, or with achy, weak sinews and joints.
- Can be made vegetarian or with meat; the herbal taste is mild and suits young and old.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Five-finger peach (wu zhi mao tao): traditionally used to strengthen the spleen, moisten the lungs and relax the sinews.
- Millettia (niu da li): associated with nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the sinews.
- Poria (fu ling): traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and drain dampness.
- Chestnuts (li zi): associated with supporting the kidneys and the digestive tract.
- Scarlet runner bean (hua dou): traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and counter dampness.
- Red dates (hong zao): associated with nourishing the blood and supporting the spleen.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Five-finger peach root | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Millettia root (niu da li) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Poria (fu ling) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinsed |
| Chestnuts | ~112 g (3 liang) | |
| Scarlet runner beans | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked |
| Red dates | 6 | Pitted |
Method
- Soak and rinse all the ingredients; pit the red dates.
- Add everything to a pot with 9 bowls of water and simmer for 2 hours until reduced to about 4 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup can be vegetarian or made with meat; the herbal taste is light, so young and old can drink it. Add pork shin or pork ribs for a richer, tastier broth.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Amalia): What can I use if I don’t have niu da li? Bro Niu: Use 5 qian each of ba ji and du zhong instead. They support the liver and kidneys and strengthen the sinews, though the taste is a little bitter.
- Q (Linda): I’m 6 months pregnant and my stools are sticky and sluggish — any damp-clearing food therapy? Bro Niu: Try 3 qian each of poria, bai zhu and lentil skin (bian dou yi) with 1 tangerine peel and 2 honey dates, simmered for half an hour. You can also simmer 5 qian each of Chinese yam, lotus seed, fox nut and poria with 4 red dates in a meat soup to strengthen the spleen and clear dampness.
Published February 17, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
