Soups
Cistanche, Rehmannia and Silkie Chicken Soup
Traditionally used to nourish yin, build the blood and support those with liver-blood deficiency
Why people make this soup
People with an underactive thyroid often show signs that food therapy reads as blood deficiency — dizziness, dull dry hair, dry rough skin, pale brittle nails, numb limbs, constipation, and for women, scant pale periods. This soup brings together blood-building and yin-nourishing ingredients in a balanced way: rich without being cloying, nourishing without feeling stagnant.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suited to those with signs of liver-blood deficiency — dizziness, dry skin and hair, brittle nails — and is also considered supportive for fertility concerns tied to blood deficiency.
- If it feels a touch heating for you, leave out the red dates and longan and use 4 figs instead (Bro Niu’s own substitution).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Prepared rehmannia (shu di): traditionally used to nourish the blood and replenish the marrow.
- Cistanche (rou cong rong): associated with nourishing the kidneys, supporting essence and moistening the bowels.
- Red dates, longan, goji (hong zao, gui yuan, gou qi zi): classic blood-building foods.
- Silkie chicken (wu ji): associated with nourishing yin and supporting a depleted body.
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cistanche (rou cong rong) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Prepared rehmannia (shu di) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Red dates | 6 | Pitted |
| Goji berries | ~15 g (4 qian) | |
| Longan flesh | ~15 g (4 qian) | |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Silkie chicken | half a bird | Washed and blanched |
Method
- Wash the silkie chicken and blanch it; soak and rinse the other ingredients.
- Add everything to a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer for about 3 hours until reduced to about 3 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup also suits anyone with various discomforts from liver-blood deficiency.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Vicky): My daughter’s blood test showed high TSH — is this soup right for her? Bro Niu: Yes, she can drink this soup. With high TSH it’s wise to keep up regular check-ups.
- Q (Dorothy): To make it less heating, what can I change or add? I find even a few red dates or half a longan feels heating. Bro Niu: You can leave out the red dates and longan and use 4 figs instead.
- Q (Dorothy): Can I skip the silkie chicken, and is it okay with an overactive thyroid? Bro Niu: Silkie chicken (zhu si ji) is fine, and the soup can be drunk with an overactive thyroid too.
Published June 20, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
