Soups
Hawthorn, Green Peel, Chen Pi and Tangerine Cake Soup
traditionally associated with supporting liver qi flow and easing breast tenderness linked to emotional stress
Why people make this soup
In traditional Chinese medicine thinking, emotional stress, suppressed frustration, and prolonged worry are seen as contributing to what practitioners call “liver qi stagnation” — a state where the smooth flow of energy through the body’s channels becomes sluggish. One common result in women is breast tenderness, swelling, or the development of fibrocystic lumps. Bro Niu suggests that learning to release stress and cultivate a calmer state of mind is the most important medicine of all — but while you are working on that, this light, citrusy soup can serve as a gentle daily companion.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Women who experience cyclical breast tenderness or discomfort, especially around menstruation or during stressful periods
- Women with a constitution that tends toward qi stagnation — bloating, sighing frequently, irritability
- Women with yin-deficiency (dry constitution) may use tangerine cake freely
- Pregnant women should omit the hawthorn berries (shan zha), which have a mild action on blood circulation; the citrus peels and tangerine cake alone can be used
- If you notice a new or changing lump in the breast, please see a doctor — food therapy is a complement, not a replacement, for medical evaluation
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green tangerine peel (qing pi): Made from unripe tangerine peel; considered more vigorous in action — traditionally used to move liver qi, break up accumulation, and relieve bloating and flank pain.
- Aged tangerine peel / chen pi: Made from fully ripe, dried and aged peel; gentler in action — traditionally supports the spleen, regulates qi, dries dampness, and transforms phlegm.
- Dried hawthorn berries (shan zha): Sour and slightly warm; traditionally used to move blood, dissolve stagnation, and aid digestion. Particularly useful when qi and blood stagnate together.
- Tangerine cake (ju bing): A traditional candied preparation of whole tangerine; considered to disperse qi, soften lumps, and provide a pleasant sweetness that balances the tartness of the other ingredients. Can be replaced with fresh tangerine pith (ju luo) and tangerine seeds (ju he) if available.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green tangerine peel (qing pi) | 2 qian (~6 g) | Available from Chinese herb shops |
| Aged tangerine peel (chen pi) | 2 qian (~6 g) | Buy a well-aged variety for better flavour |
| Dried hawthorn berries (shan zha) | 3 qian (~9 g) | Omit if pregnant |
| Tangerine cake (ju bing) | 3 pieces | Can substitute with fresh tangerine pith + 1 tbsp tangerine seeds |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients briefly under cold water.
- Place all ingredients in a small pot with 5 bowls (approximately 1.2 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, until the liquid reduces to approximately 2 bowls.
- Drink the strained broth in one day, divided into two servings.
- For a full course: drink daily for 7–10 consecutive days.
Bro Niu’s tips
If tangerine cake is not available at your local Chinese herb shop, you can use the fresh white pith inside a tangerine (ju luo) plus about one tablespoon of tangerine seeds (ju he) — these are considered to have a similar dispersing and softening effect. The soup has a pleasantly tangy, slightly sweet flavour and is not unpleasant to drink.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader, 小华): I have fibrocystic breast changes and recently have had significant tenderness before my period — can I drink this soup? I substituted osmanthus flowers for the tangerine cake because the shop had none. Can I add honey dates (mi zao) to improve the flavour? Bro Niu: You can drink this soup — it will not affect your menstrual flow. I would also suggest looking for a product called “Shu Gan Wan” (Liver Comfort Pills) from a Chinese medicine shop; taking it for a week can help with breast swelling linked to liver qi stagnation. Adding a honey date for flavour is fine.
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Q (ra1113): I am one month pregnant (second child) and have had breast tenderness since stopping breastfeeding two years ago. Can I drink this? I have a cold constitution. Bro Niu: Hawthorn (shan zha) has blood-moving properties, so it is best avoided in pregnancy. The chen pi and tangerine cake components are safe. A cold constitution suits this formula well.
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Q (Vanda): My 13-year-old daughter has G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) and has breast swelling with inflammation. Is there something she can drink? Bro Niu: You can prepare a simpler version: chen pi 2 qian, qing pi 2 qian, tangerine pith (ju luo) and tangerine seeds (ju he) about 2 qian each, or use 6–8 whole golden kumquats (smashed), in 4 bowls of water simmered 30 minutes. Give 5 consecutive doses. Please also continue with the anti-inflammatory treatment the doctor prescribed.
Published March 21, 2015 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
