Soups
Solomon's Seal, Burdock and Corn Soup
traditionally used to nourish yin, quench thirst, and support those managing blood sugar
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu sourced some quality Solomon’s seal from a Chinese herb shop — fragrant and unsulfured — and it inspired this soup. Solomon’s seal (yu zhu) is one of those herbs that punches above its weight in a kitchen context: it nourishes the yin of the lungs and stomach, relieves dry thirst, and has a pleasant mild flavour. Paired with burdock root, which is widely eaten as a vegetable in Japan and has a mild bitter-sweet taste, plus the natural sweetness of corn with its silk (the silk is kept in the broth and is traditionally associated with urinary and blood sugar support), this becomes a straightforward everyday soup that is as pleasant to drink as it is purposeful.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for people managing blood sugar, recovering from a feverish illness, experiencing dry mouth and thirst, or simply wanting a light nutritious soup
- Also associated with supporting those who have had a stroke, or who feel easily flushed and overheated
- Fine for the whole family
- Anyone with active colds should wait until recovered; those with very cold and deficient constitutions may find the cool nature of burdock too cooling — add a couple of ginger slices in that case
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Solomon’s seal (yu zhu): Traditionally nourishes the yin of the lungs and stomach; relieves dryness and internal thirst; associated with a mild blood-sugar-supporting effect in herbal traditions
- Burdock root (niu bang): A nutritious root vegetable with a gentle bitter-sweet flavour; traditionally used to clear wind-heat and support urinary function; rich in inulin, a prebiotic fibre
- Corn silk (su mi xu): The threads are traditionally simmered with the corn and associated with supporting healthy urination and mild blood sugar balance
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Nourish the liver and kidney yin; add natural sweetness and a bright colour
- Chicken breast (ji xiong rou): A lean protein that adds body without excess fat
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solomon’s seal | ~19 g | Soak and rinse |
| Goji berries | ~11 g | Soak and rinse |
| Fresh burdock root | ~113 g | Scrub clean; cut into sections (no need to peel) |
| Corn on the cob | 2 cobs | Remove husk but keep the silk; cut into pieces |
| Chicken breast | 1 piece | Blanch in boiling water |
Method
- Soak Solomon’s seal and goji berries briefly; rinse and drain.
- Scrub the burdock root clean under running water and cut into sections.
- Remove the corn husks but keep the silk attached; cut each cob into 3–4 pieces.
- Blanch the chicken breast in boiling water for a couple of minutes; drain.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 hours until roughly 4 bowls of broth remain.
- Serve the soup and eat the solid ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is naturally sweet and mild — easy to enjoy and suitable for all ages. It is particularly helpful for those who feel thirsty and dry after a feverish illness, or who have little appetite. People with gestational diabetes can also consider corn silk tea made from fresh corn silk, boiling it in water as a daily drink to complement their medical management.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Yy): Two elderly family members — one with high blood pressure and diabetes, another with high cholesterol who recently had a burst blood vessel in the eye. Will this soup help them both? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is suitable for people with metabolic conditions and is also good for eye health. You can also steep chrysanthemum and goji berries as a daily tea. Browse the hypertension and stroke section of the website for more suitable recipes.
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Q (凌婆婆): My daughter has gestational diabetes and a history of postpartum depression. What can she eat after delivery? Bro Niu: For gestational diabetes, strictly control sugar and high-fat foods. Fresh corn silk boiled as a tea is a gentle option. After delivery, use lotus seeds, lily bulb, longan, and red dates in soups to support the spirit and help prevent low mood.
Published January 7, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
