Soups
Fresh Dendrobium, Polygonatum and Reed Root Pork Shin Soup
traditionally taken to nourish yin and ease dryness for those managing blood sugar
Why people make this soup
People managing blood sugar often run dry — thirsty mouth, frequent urination, blurry eyes. Bro Niu builds this gentle pot around fresh dendrobium, valued for supporting the liver and gallbladder, and pairs it with polygonatum, reed root and goji, which traditionally nourish yin, ease dryness, clear restlessness, promote fluids and brighten the eyes. It is also a good pot for anyone who works long hours at a screen and stays up late.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those managing blood sugar who feel dry-mouthed or have tired, blurry eyes; also good for screen workers and night owls.
- This is a wellness soup, not a treatment — continue your doctor’s care. Those with a cold or fever should not take it.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh dendrobium (xian shi hu): Traditionally valued for supporting the liver and gallbladder and promoting fluids.
- Polygonatum (yu zhu): Traditionally used to nourish yin, moisten dryness and promote fluids.
- Reed root (lu gen): Traditionally used to clear heat, ease restlessness and quench thirst.
- Goji (qi zi): Traditionally used to support the liver and brighten the eyes.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh dendrobium | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinsed, cut into sections; or ~11 g dried |
| Polygonatum | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Reed root | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Goji berries | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Pork shin | 1 | Cut into chunks, blanched |
Method
- Rinse and cut the dendrobium into sections; soak and rinse the polygonatum, reed root and goji; chunk and blanch the pork shin.
- Put everything into a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer for 2 hours, reducing to 4 bowls. Done.
Bro Niu’s tips
Clear, sweet and good for all ages, and especially suited to those who spend long hours at a computer and stay up late. But anyone with a cold or fever should not take it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ka Ka): Can dendrobium be replaced with the dried form? Bro Niu: Yes, use about 11 g (3 qian) of dried dendrobium.
- Q (Siu Ho): A year after a medical abortion, my menstrual flow is still on the light side despite seeing a Chinese-medicine doctor. Any soup or food therapy to improve it? Bro Niu: Simmer 1–2 black wood-ears, walnut (~38 g), 5 red dates and a little brown sugar in 5 bowls of water down to 2; drink the soup and eat some of the ingredients, 2–3 batches a week — good for blood-deficient light periods. If you have donkey-hide gelatin powder, stir in 2 teaspoons while hot for the most blood-nourishing effect.
- Q (Siu Ho, 2): Before my period I feel dizzy, with stiff neck and shoulders, heavy eyelids and sleepiness — does it mean my qi and blood are low? Any food therapy? Bro Niu: Simmer kudzu (~300 g), rice bean (~38 g), hyacinth bean (~38 g), 1 tangerine peel and 6 red dates in a pork-bone soup for 2 hours; the whole family can drink it, and it helps ease stiff neck and shoulders and fatigue — take for 2 batches.
Published October 3, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
