Soups
Chinese Yam, Yu Zhu, Shi Hu and Dried Conch Soup
Traditionally supports the spleen, nourishes yin and is associated with steadier blood sugar
Why people make this soup
When someone is drinking a lot, eating a lot, passing a lot of urine and still losing weight and feeling weak, it is worth getting checked. This soup is something Bro Niu offers as a gentle everyday support: a sweet, savoury pot of even-natured foods that is traditionally said to support the spleen, nourish yin, benefit the eyes and is associated with steadier blood sugar. It is mild enough for the whole family.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people looking for a gentle blood-sugar-friendly tonic soup, and the family in general (it doubles as an eye-protecting soup). Bro Niu notes it is fine even during pregnancy with gestational diabetes — though diet must still be strictly controlled.
- Whatever you do for blood sugar, keep to your medical team’s plan; food therapy is a support, not a treatment.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Huai shan (Chinese yam): in Chinese food therapy traditionally associated with supporting blood sugar and easing thirst.
- Yu zhu (Solomon’s seal): associated with nourishing yin and easing dryness.
- Shi hu (dendrobium): traditionally said to nourish stomach yin, benefit the eyes and generate fluids.
- Gou qi zi (goji): traditionally associated with benefiting the eyes and steadier blood sugar.
- Xiang luo gan (dried conch): adds depth and a sweet, savoury flavour to the broth.
Ingredients (1 pot, 4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese yam (huai shan) | ~38 g (1 liang) | rinse and soak |
| Yu zhu (Solomon’s seal) | ~15 g (4 qian) | |
| Shi hu (dendrobium) | ~11 g (3 qian) | |
| Goji berries | ~15 g (4 qian) | |
| Dried conch (xiang luo gan) | ~75 g (2 liang) | |
| Lean pork | ~150 g (4 liang) | sliced, blanched |
Method
- Rinse and soak the dried ingredients; slice and blanch the lean pork.
- Add everything to a pot with about 8 bowls of water and simmer about 2 hours, down to roughly 4 bowls.
- Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This is a sweet, tasty everyday wellness soup, traditionally good for the eyes and for blood-sugar care. If you don’t have dried conch, you can use 2–3 dried scallops, or simply rely on the lean pork. If dendrobium is unavailable, about 38 g of lotus seed makes a good stand-in (avoid the bitter chuan shi hu, which spoils the flavour).
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (anonymous reader): My mother is 68 with high blood sugar and has been on glucose-lowering medication for a few months; she feels weak and has less energy. What soup can help build her up? Bro Niu: You can make this Chinese yam, yu zhu, shi hu and conch soup for her, twice a week — it is a tonic soup that is also associated with lowering blood sugar.
- Q (Kacey): My mother has diabetes; many of your diabetes soups use Chinese yam and goji, but the hospital dietitian’s guide says to avoid Chinese yam, and my mother says she can’t have goji. Can she eat these? Bro Niu: In Chinese food therapy, Chinese yam is regarded as helping with blood sugar; the dietitian may be thinking of its starch. Goji is also associated with blood-sugar support and is a suitable food for diabetes care.
- Q (bobo): If I don’t have dendrobium, is there something to replace it? Bro Niu: If you have no dendrobium, just leave it out — the remaining ingredients still make a good soup.
Published November 15, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
