Soups
Beetroot, Goji and Carrot Soup
Traditionally enjoyed as a liver-supporting, eye-brightening vegetable soup
Why people make this soup
Beetroot leaves are genuinely worth eating — rich in folate, vitamin C and fibre, and traditionally valued for clearing the liver, “cleaning” the blood and supporting regular bowel movements. When you can find beetroot with its greens and stems still attached, use both. This beetroot, goji and carrot soup is a clean, everyday vegetable soup traditionally enjoyed to support the liver and eyes, brighten the complexion and keep things moving.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone wanting a light, low-calorie vegetable soup as part of a vegetable-rich diet — also a favourite of those watching their weight.
- People with low blood pressure should add a little ginger juice. If you are managing cancer or recovering from surgery, treat this only as a gentle dietary companion and keep following your doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Beetroot leaves and stems (hong cai tou): rich in folate, vitamin C and fibre; traditionally associated with clearing the liver, supporting the blood and easing bowel movements.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): classically used to nourish the liver and brighten the eyes.
- Carrot (gan sun): traditionally valued for the eyes and complexion.
- Sweet corn and ginger: add natural sweetness and gentle warmth to balance the soup.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beetroot stems and leaves | ~300 g (half catty) | Wash and cut into segments |
| Goji berries | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinse |
| Carrot | 1 | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Sweet corn | 1 cob | Husk and cut into segments |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices |
Method
- Wash the beetroot stems and leaves and cut into segments.
- Peel the carrot and cut into chunks; husk the corn and cut into segments; rinse the goji.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer down to 4 bowls. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This vegetarian soup is clean and naturally sweet and very low in calories. Besides supporting the liver and eyes, it is an ideal soup for anyone watching their weight.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Ling): My sister just had her first breast-cancer chemo; she also has diabetes and high blood pressure. Can she drink this soup? She added dried tangerine peel because she feels queasy — is daily peel okay? Bro Niu: She can drink this soup. The three-fungus lean-pork soup is also fine, but finish it within a day rather than leaving the fungus soaking too long. Drinking dried tangerine peel water daily is fine, and ginger and peel help with queasiness. Of course, keep following her treatment.
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Q (anonymous reader): Can someone with early-stage cervical cancer drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, it can be taken in early-stage cervical cancer. Eat less high-fat food, sugar and milk. Continue your medical care.
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Q (F.Ng): Can a liver-cancer patient drink this soup, and any everyday food therapy? Bro Niu: A loach soup, tofu soup, or lean-pork soup is traditionally considered good for the liver. Dried oysters (hao chi) are also traditionally seen as protective for the liver and can be cooked with soybeans and lean pork. Keep following your medical team.
Published February 27, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
