Soups
Ginkgo Nut, Walnut, Euryale and Almond Chicken Soup
Traditionally associated with strengthening lung, spleen and kidney function to reduce asthma frequency
Why people make this soup
Asthma tends to run in families and can be triggered throughout the year, with spring and autumn being the most common seasons for flare-ups. Chinese medicine sees asthma as involving three organ systems: the lungs (which govern the airways), the spleen (which is considered the source of phlegm production), and the kidneys (which are thought to anchor the breath and provide the body’s foundational energy). During an active episode, medical treatment comes first. But during the quiet period between episodes — when the child feels well and lung function is stable — food therapy has a supportive role in traditionally building up these three systems and aiming to reduce how often attacks occur.
This soup uses ginkgo nuts to help reduce phlegm and stabilise the airways; walnuts to warm and support kidney yang; euryale seeds to strengthen the spleen and reduce phlegm; and the almond combination to gently open the chest and support breathing. The result is a soup that is warming and nourishing without being too rich or stimulating.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Intended for children with bronchial asthma during the remission (symptom-free) period — not during an active episode.
- Safe for the whole family as a general tonic; adults with chronic respiratory weakness can also benefit.
- Reduce shrimp, crab and seafood in the diet while taking this soup, as these are traditionally considered more likely to provoke airway sensitivity.
- Ginkgo nut cores must always be removed before cooking — the cores contain small amounts of toxins. Dosing for children: 1 nut per year of age (e.g., a 5-year-old has 5 nuts); adults take no more than 15 nuts per serving.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Ginkgo nut (bai guo): Traditionally used to reduce phlegm, calm wheeze and stabilise the lungs; the kernel is the therapeutic part, but the inner core (embryo) must be removed.
- Walnut kernel (he tao rou): Warming to the kidneys; traditionally associated with supporting kidney yang to “anchor the breath.”
- Gordon euryale seed (qian shi): Strengthens the spleen and reduces excessive dampness (which in Chinese medicine is considered the source of phlegm); also tonifies the kidneys.
- Sweet and bitter almond mix (nan bei xing): Southern (sweet) almond moistens and nourishes; northern (bitter) almond opens the chest and calms wheeze. Together they complement each other.
- Tangerine peel (chen pi): Moves qi and transforms phlegm; helps the soup to be more easily digested.
- Chicken / partridge: Protein-rich base; partridge is traditionally regarded as especially good for the lungs.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo nuts | 10–15 | Cores (embryos) removed |
| Walnut kernels | 37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Gordon euryale seeds | 37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Sweet and bitter almond mix | 37 g (1 liang) | Soaked; blanch and remove skins if needed |
| Red dates | 6 | Pitted |
| Dried tangerine peel | 1 piece | Soaked and rinsed |
| Organic chicken (half) or 1 partridge | — | Skin removed, cut into pieces, blanched |
| Water | 8 bowls (~2 L) |
Method
- Remove the inner embryo (core) from each ginkgo nut. Soak and rinse the walnut kernels, euryale seeds, almonds and tangerine peel. Pit the red dates.
- Remove the skin from the chicken or partridge and cut into pieces. Blanch in boiling water briefly; drain.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours until the soup has reduced to about 4 bowls.
- Serve the soup together with the solid ingredients. Children: serve 1–2 bowls per day according to age.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is gently warming rather than strongly hot — it suits a broad range of constitutions and is safe for the whole family. The most important preparation step is removing the ginkgo nut core (the green embryo inside), as it contains small amounts of toxins. For safety, Bro Niu recommends the age-based dosing rule for children: one nut per year of age, with a maximum of 15 for adults. During the period of taking this soup, limit shrimp, crab and other shellfish in the diet, as these are traditionally thought to increase airway reactivity. Sweet almond should be soaked in warm water and the skin can be removed before cooking; the whole mixture is then simmered slowly until soft.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Dorathylyy): I just recovered from an asthma attack. How many times a week should I take this soup, and for how long? Can my husband and children take it for general health? Bro Niu: This soup supports the lungs, spleen and kidneys — adults and children can all drink it. Since you have just recovered, take it 2 times a week for the first month. Be patient and keep going.
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Q (Be): An elderly family member has severe emphysema and needs pure oxygen. Is there anything for the lungs and appetite? Bro Niu: For elderly-pattern lung deficiency and emphysema, try: American ginseng 5 qian, ginkgo nuts 10 (cores removed), walnut kernels 1 liang, sweet and bitter almond mix 1 liang — simmer with quail or partridge. Eating the solid ingredients is especially important.
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Q (yee): My son aged 3, after frequent colds, has audible phlegm rattling in his chest. The TCM doctor said he has spleen deficiency. What can I give him regularly? Bro Niu: Chinese medicine says “the spleen is the source of phlegm.” For a child with spleen deficiency and excess phlegm, use Chinese yam (huai shan), fu ling, euryale seeds (qian shi) and lotus seeds in equal amounts, with 1–2 pieces of tangerine peel and 4–5 red dates, simmered with quail or partridge. The whole family can drink it. Take 2–3 times a week and try to eat the solid ingredients too.
Published September 25, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 5 min read.
