Soups
Sweet Almond, Ginkgo Nut, Lily Bulb & Pork Lung Soup
traditionally used to moisten the lungs, ease coughs, reduce phlegm, and support respiratory health
Why people make this soup
Traditional Chinese dietetics has long followed the principle of “like nourishes like” — using the organ of an animal to gently support the same organ in the human body. Pork lung, properly cleaned and blanched, makes a nutritious soup base that is especially associated with respiratory conditions. For people dealing with chronic bronchitis — whether from long-term smoking, weakened lung qi, or repeated respiratory infections — Bro Niu combines it with classic phlegm-resolving, cough-calming ingredients: ginkgo nuts to ease wheezing, sweet apricot kernels to moisten and descend lung qi, lily bulbs to nourish and cool the lungs, and figs for their gentle clearing sweetness. This soup is suitable for the whole family and works particularly well during dry autumn and winter months.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those with chronic coughs, excess phlegm, shortness of breath, or weakened lung constitution
- Especially associated with supporting those whose lungs have been stressed by smoking or recurrent infections
- Ginkgo nuts: do not exceed 10 pieces per serving and always remove the bitter core; eaten in excess they can cause adverse reactions — please supervise children
- This is a year-round soup; suitable across all seasons
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Pork lung (zhu fei): In the “like nourishes like” tradition, pork lung is associated with nourishing human lung tissue; makes a rich, collagen-containing stock.
- Ginkgo nuts (bai guo): Traditionally used to astringent lung qi, ease wheeze, and reduce phlegm; must be cooked thoroughly and eaten in modest amounts.
- Sweet apricot kernels / southern almonds (nan xing): Mild, moistening kernels that descend rebellious lung qi and relieve coughs; distinct from bitter northern almonds (which should be used in smaller quantities).
- Lily bulb (bai he): Nourishes and moistens the lungs; also traditionally calms the mind and supports those who are restless or heat-type coughing.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Gently clear heat and moisten the throat and lungs; add natural sweetness to the soup.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lily bulb | 2 liang (~75 g) | Or 1 liang (~38 g) dried lily bulb |
| Ginkgo nuts | 10 pieces | Shell, remove inner bitter core |
| Sweet apricot kernels (nan xing) | 8 qian (~30 g) | Available at Chinese herb shops |
| Dried figs | 3 pieces | |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Pork lung | 1 whole (~500–700 g) | See cleaning method below |
| Water | 10 bowls | ~2 L |
Method
- Clean the pork lung: Cut the lung into chunks. Sprinkle with a little salt and knead firmly to push out the air bubbles and foam from the airways. Rinse thoroughly under running water until clean. Blanch in boiling water for 3–5 minutes, then drain and discard the blanching water.
- Shell the ginkgo nuts and remove the bitter green core in the centre.
- Rinse the lily bulb, sweet almonds, figs, and ginger.
- Place all ingredients in a clay or heavy-bottomed pot with 10 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for about 2 hours until reduced to 4–5 bowls.
- Serve hot; eat the soup and the tender lung pieces and other ingredients together.
Bro Niu’s tips
- If your butcher is willing, ask them to flush the pork lung for you — it saves a good deal of effort at home. Otherwise, the cleaning method above is straightforward.
- Walnut kernels (1 liang / ~38 g) can be added to the soup for extra lung and brain support.
- This soup is also suitable for children (use a smaller portion) and is good year-round; not only in autumn.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Florence): Is this soup only suitable for autumn, or is it suitable now (in spring/summer)? Bro Niu: This soup can be made in any season.
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Q (Angel): My children seem to get sick frequently despite weekly pork-lung soups. What can strengthen their immune system? Bro Niu: Try a formula with astragalus (bei qi / huang qi, 3 qian), siler root (fang feng, 3 qian), and white atractylodes (bai zhu, 3 qian), plus 2 ginger slices and 6 red dates, simmered in 5 bowls of water to 2 bowls. Give the children this twice a week — it traditionally helps strengthen constitution and prevent colds.
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Q (Anita): Can walnut be added to this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, add 1 liang of walnut kernels and cook together.
Published April 1, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
