Soups
Ginkgo, Euryale Seed, Chestnut and Chinese Raspberry Pork Shin Soup
Traditionally associated with warming the kidneys and easing frequent and nighttime urination
Why people make this soup
Many middle-aged and older people — especially women around menopause — deal with frequent urination and getting up often at night, often alongside feeling chilly, a pale complexion, and an achy lower back and knees. In traditional thinking this points to weak kidney qi and yang. Bro Niu offers this ginkgo, euryale, chestnut and raspberry soup as a warming pot traditionally enjoyed to ease frequent and nighttime urination and a cold, sore lower back.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits middle-aged and older people troubled by frequent urination, getting up at night, and a cold, achy lower back and knees; a reader confirmed it can be given to an 86-year-old with the three highs (use just 3 southern dates if blood sugar is a concern)
- Children can drink it (Bro Niu confirmed for an 8-year-old)
- Caution: ginkgo nut cores are mildly toxic — remove the cores and keep the ginkgo to a modest amount; otherwise it suits most people
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Ginkgo nut (bai guo): traditionally associated with reining in frequent urination (cores removed; mildly toxic)
- Euryale seed (qian shi): traditionally used to support the kidneys and “hold” essence and fluids
- Chinese raspberry (fu pen zi): a wild berry traditionally associated with supporting the kidneys, reducing frequent urination, and brightening the eyes
- Chestnut and southern dates (li zi, nan zao): traditionally warming and supportive of the kidneys and lower back
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo nuts (bai guo) | 15 | Cores removed; mildly toxic — don’t overuse |
| Euryale seed (qian shi) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Chinese raspberry (fu pen zi) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Chestnuts (li zi) | ~113 g (3 liang) | Shelled |
| Southern dates (nan zao) | 4–5 | Use 3 if minding blood sugar |
| Pork shin (zhu jian) | 1 piece | Cut into chunks, blanched |
Method
- Remove the cores from the ginkgo nuts; shell the chestnuts.
- Soak and rinse the euryale seed and Chinese raspberry separately.
- Cut the pork shin into chunks and blanch.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer about 1.5 hours down to 3–4 bowls; serve the soup with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Chinese raspberry is a wild berry traditionally associated with supporting the kidneys, reining in urination and brightening the eyes. This soup is also traditionally valued for men feeling depleted and for women with related concerns. Remember to remove the ginkgo cores and keep the ginkgo modest.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (anonymous): My mother is 86 with the three highs, lots of night urination, and recently a sore back — can she drink this soup? Bro Niu: She can drink this soup; it is traditionally enjoyed to ease night urination. If blood sugar is high, just use 3 southern dates. Pain is the body’s alarm — find out why the back hurts and treat the cause.
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Q (Yan): Are there any cautions with this soup? Bro Niu: Remove the cores from the ginkgo nuts, since the cores are mildly toxic, and don’t use too many ginkgo nuts — then most people can have it.
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Q (mei mei): Can children drink this? My child is 8. Bro Niu: Yes, children can drink this soup.
Published August 25, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
