Soups
Dragon Tongue Leaf, Rock Huangpi & Apple Soup
Traditionally associated with clearing lung heat and soothing cough
Why people make this soup
After a cold clears up, many people are left with a lingering cough — sometimes dry, sometimes with a little phlegm — that simply will not go away. This brew made with dragon tongue leaf and rock huangpi is a beloved remedy in Cantonese homes specifically for that post-illness cough. What Bro Niu particularly appreciates about it is its balanced, neutral character: it works for both the warming (cold-type) and cooling (heat-type) varieties of cough, which makes it practical when parents are not sure what kind of cough their child has. The carrot and apple add a pleasantly mild sweetness that children tend to enjoy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits: adults and children with a cough lingering after a cold or fever, whether it is dry or slightly phlegmy; the whole family when lean pork is added
- Fresh dragon tongue leaf and rock huangpi are available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online; if unavailable, pear or lily bulb (bai he) can be substituted with similar lung-soothing effect
- This soup is gentle and suitable for children; ensure fever has fully resolved before giving it
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dragon tongue leaf (long li ye): A fresh Southern Chinese herb traditionally used to moisten the lungs and relieve cough; notably effective for post-cold respiratory discomfort
- Rock huangpi (shi huang pi): A lesser-known fresh herb, traditionally associated with clearing heat and supporting the lungs and throat
- Apple: Naturally sweet and moistening; adds a pleasant flavour and traditional nourishing quality to the broth
- Carrot: Mildly sweet; adds depth and is traditionally associated with supporting the lungs and spleen
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon tongue leaf (fresh) | 2–3 sprigs | Rinse; available at Chinese or Asian grocers |
| Rock huangpi (fresh) | Small handful | Rinse; available at Chinese or Asian grocers |
| Apple | 1 medium | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Carrot | 1 medium | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Lean pork (optional) | 150–200 g | Blanch first; add for family serving |
| Water | 6 bowls (~1.4 L) |
Method
- Rinse the dragon tongue leaf and rock huangpi well.
- Peel the apple and carrot; cut into large chunks.
- If using lean pork, blanch briefly in boiling water and rinse.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 6 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 30 minutes until reduced to approximately 3 bowls.
- Serve and drink the broth; eat the soup ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Adding a piece of lean pork makes this soup suitable for the whole family and adds body to the broth. Fresh dragon tongue leaf and rock huangpi are available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online — if you cannot find them, try substituting with pear or dried lily bulb (bai he), which have a similar soothing effect on the lungs. This soup is notably gentle: it will not over-cool a cold-type cough or overheat a warm-type one, making it one of the safest go-to broths for post-illness recovery.
After a lingering cough with phlegm, Bro Niu also recommends using a gentle patting technique on the back: pat slowly from top to bottom along the spine — wherever the child coughs most, pat that spot a little more firmly to help loosen accumulated phlegm, then give them water or this broth to drink. Very effective and safe for children.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (panda): My father is 80 and has been coughing since a bout of pneumonia. What can he drink? Bro Niu: For a long-standing cough after pneumonia without ongoing fever, try papaya (1 piece), snow ear fungus (xue er, 11 g), lily bulb (bai he, 38 g), north and south almonds (nan bei xing, 38 g), and dried tangerine peel (chen pi, 1 piece) stewed with partridge or quail for 2 hours. This soup nourishes lung qi and helps ease persistent cough. The dragon tongue leaf soup shown here is also suitable.
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Q (anonymous / Vicky): I am living overseas and cannot find rock huangpi. What can I substitute? Bro Niu: Pear or lily bulb (bai he) both benefit the lungs and are effective for cough — either makes a good substitute.
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Q (Apple): My five-year-old had a fever-related cough and I made the dragon tongue leaf soup, but she is still coughing at night. Could it be a cold-type cough? Bro Niu: Coughing that is worse at night often points to a cold-type cough (han ke). Try perilla leaf (zi su ye, 11 g) simmered with fresh ginger and brown sugar water for 10 minutes; give it to her after dinner. The flavour is mild enough for children to accept.
Published February 15, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
