Soups
Cordyceps Flower, Tiger Milk Lingzhi and Quail Soup
traditionally associated with supporting lung, spleen and kidney qi; may help reduce frequency of cough and wheezing in those with a weak respiratory constitution
Why people make this soup
Tiger Milk Mushroom and Cordyceps flower are two of the most valued functional mushrooms in contemporary Chinese food therapy — and they are a natural pairing for parents asking about soups for children who seem to catch every passing cold or wheeze through every season. Combined with the classic lung-supporting duo of sweet and bitter almonds and dried figs, then simmered with quail for a rich, slightly gamey broth, the result is a soup that is both medicinal in intent and genuinely delicious to drink. Children and adults alike can benefit.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Children with a constitutionally weak respiratory system — frequent colds, easy cough, mild wheeze between illnesses
- Adults who experience frequent shortness of breath or chronic cough not currently under active treatment
- Suitable for regular use as a health-supporting soup
- Do not serve during active fever, cold, or infection — wait until the illness has fully resolved before resuming
- Suitable for babies from approximately 9 months in small amounts (about half a bowl of broth)
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower / jin chong cao (Cordyceps militaris): A cultivated relative of wild Cordyceps sinensis; traditionally associated with tonifying lung and kidney qi, supporting immune function, and reducing the frequency of cough and wheeze.
- Tiger Milk Mushroom / hu ru ling zhi (Lignosus rhinocerus): A rare South-East Asian medicinal fungus with high protein content and a range of sugars and minerals. Traditionally used to support respiratory health, ease stomach complaints, and reduce fluid retention.
- Sweet and bitter almonds (nan bei xing): A classic pairing for moistening the lungs and relieving cough. Sweet almonds nourish; bitter almonds (in small culinary doses) descend rebellious lung qi.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Mildly sweet and neutral; traditionally used to clear the lungs and harmonise the stomach, providing a gentle sweetness that flavours the broth.
- Quail (an chun): Considered to nourish the spleen, strengthen the lungs, and support the bones and sinews — an ideal base protein for a children’s tonic soup.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls / serves 2–3)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower (jin chong cao) | 3 qian (~9 g) | Either spore-head or long-strand type works; spore-head has a slightly more intense aroma |
| Tiger Milk Mushroom (hu ru ling zhi) | 3 qian (~9 g), sliced | Buy whole, then have the shop slice it — easier to store |
| Sweet and bitter almonds (nan bei xing) | 1 liang (~37 g) | A combined pack from herb shops |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 4 pieces | |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Quail | 2 birds | Cleaned, blanched in boiling water for 2 minutes, rinsed |
Method
- Blanch the quail in boiling water for about 2 minutes to remove impurities. Rinse and set aside.
- Rinse all herb ingredients briefly under cold water.
- Place all ingredients into a pot with 8 bowls (approximately 2 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off any foam, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 2 hours until the broth is richly flavoured and has reduced to approximately 4–5 bowls.
- Season lightly with salt and serve. Drink the soup and eat the quail meat and mushroom pieces.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is gentle enough for regular consumption by children — once or twice a week is ideal for those with a weak constitution. However, always pause during any episode of fever, cold, or active infection and resume only after full recovery. Tiger Milk Mushroom is best bought whole and sliced by the shop assistant — it keeps better when stored whole. The two types of Cordyceps flower (spore-head and long-strand) have similar therapeutic properties; the spore-head variety is simply more aromatic. Both Tiger Milk Mushroom and Cordyceps flower are available at Chinese herb shops and online Asian health retailers.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (fanny): Can a 9-month-old baby drink Tiger Milk Mushroom soup? Bro Niu: Yes — a 9-month-old baby can have about half a bowl of the broth from this soup.
Published March 29, 2015 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
