Soups
Bei Qi, Hawthorn, Adzuki Bean & Job's-Tears Soup
Traditionally helps drain dampness and support uric-acid balance
Why people make this soup
High uric acid is often blamed on rich, high-purine foods — organ meats, shellfish, seafood, beans, beer — that tax the kidneys, while research also points to a family tendency. Either way, experts agree the basics help most: balanced eating, managing weight, plenty of vegetables and fruit, enough water, and going easy on salt, sugar and alcohol. Alongside that sensible diet, Bro Niu offers this mild, balanced soup as a supportive companion.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for those carrying extra weight or mindful of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol; gentle enough for both warm and cold constitutions
- Pregnant women should not take this
- For diagnosed gout or ongoing symptoms, please see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Astragalus (bei qi): traditionally tonifies qi and supports healthy fluid metabolism
- Hawthorn (shan zha): traditionally aids digestion and moves stagnation
- Adzuki beans (chi xiao dou): traditionally help drain dampness and water
- Job’s-tears (yi mi): traditionally strengthen the spleen and clear dampness
Ingredients (3 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Astragalus (bei qi) | ~19 g | Rinse |
| Hawthorn (shan zha) | ~19 g | Rinse |
| Adzuki beans | ~40 g | Rinse and soak |
| Job’s-tears | ~40 g | Rinse and soak |
Method
- Rinse and briefly soak all the ingredients.
- Simmer in 6 bowls of water for 40 minutes, down to 3 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This brew is mild, with only a faint sourness, and suits those who are overweight or mindful of the “three highs” (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol). Pregnant women, however, should not take it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Zhen): I’m 36; after every period I easily feel dizzy. How can I support my qi and blood? I tend to run hot and break out — how do I combine red dates, dang gui and dang shen as a tea? Can nan zao be brewed as a tea too? Bro Niu: You can use a “four-reds” soup — red beans, red-skin peanuts, goji berries and red dates in equal amounts — simmered as a soup; drink it and eat some of the contents to nourish blood and complexion in a gentle way. For breakouts, drink something cooling like mulberry-leaf or imperatae-and-sugarcane-and-water-chestnut water to clear heat. Save the dang shen and nan zao water until the breakouts have cleared.
- Q (Ckl): Can I brew dried longan + goji berries + chrysanthemum together as a tea? Bro Niu: Longan nourishes blood but is slightly warming; generally goji berries and chrysanthemum pair better with American ginseng slices.
Published May 16, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
