Soups
Cordyceps Flower, Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb & Goji Berry Soup
traditionally associated with strengthening the lungs, supporting immunity, protecting the liver, and calming the mind
Why people make this soup
Wild cordyceps sinensis — the original “caterpillar fungus” — is extraordinarily expensive, well beyond the reach of everyday households. But Cordyceps militaris, sold dried as “cordyceps flower” (chong cao hua), is a cultivated relative that shares many of the same nutritional characteristics and is widely available at a fraction of the price. Bro Niu recommends this soup for any household where children catch colds easily, where adults feel their energy dipping, or where someone is dealing with recurring coughs, poor concentration, or tired eyes. It suits the whole family and can be made savoury (with lean meat or quail) or sweet (with a little rock sugar).
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for all ages, including children and the elderly
- Particularly helpful for children who catch colds or respiratory infections frequently
- Pregnant women may drink this soup
- Do not serve during active fever — supportive tonics are not appropriate when the body is fighting an acute infection; wait until the fever resolves, then use this to rebuild
- A small number of children may be sensitive to fungus-type ingredients — watch for any skin rash after the first serving, and stop if one appears
- Can be made with quail or partridge (zhe gu) added for children with weak immunity or poor concentration — the effect is richer
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower (chong cao hua / Cordyceps militaris): A cultivated fungus with a strong nutritional profile; traditionally associated with nourishing the lungs and kidneys, protecting the liver, and supporting anti-ageing and antioxidant functions; the fruiting heads are considered the most nutritious part
- Lotus seeds (lian zi): Nourish the heart and spleen, calm the mind, and support digestive strength
- Dried lily bulb (bai he): Gently moistens and supports the lungs; traditionally used to calm the mind and ease restlessness
- Southern apricot kernels (nan xing): Supports lung qi and helps with mild coughs; the southern variety is sweet and safe for regular use
- Goji berries (gou qi zi / Lycium barbarum): Nourishes the liver and kidneys, supports vision, and provides antioxidant support
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinse briefly |
| Lotus seeds | 38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Dried lily bulb | 38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Sweet southern apricot kernels (nan xing) | 38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Goji berries | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinse |
Method
- Soak lotus seeds, lily bulb, and apricot kernels for about 20 minutes, then rinse. Give the cordyceps flower a brief rinse. Rinse the goji berries.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 6 bowls (about 1.2 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes until reduced to about 3 bowls.
- Serve warm. For a savoury version, add lean pork or blanched quail before cooking. For a sweet version, add rock sugar to taste at the end.
Bro Niu’s tips
This is a wonderfully versatile soup — it works just as well in a slow cooker or a thermal cooking pot, and because the water loss is lower with those methods, 750 ml of water may be enough for 3 servings. For children who catch frequent colds or struggle to concentrate at school, adding a quail or partridge gives a more nourishing result. The whole family can drink it; if cooking just for one person, halve the quantities. Bro Niu’s guideline for this kind of tonic soup: twice a week is a good maintenance frequency.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Anthea): My child started kindergarten and has already had two fevers with runny nose. Can I give cordyceps flower during fever or coughing? Bro Niu: During active fever, avoid tonic soups. You can cook a simple coriander, spring onion, and ginger broth with sliced pork to help the child sweat and recover. Once the fever is gone, try tiger milk mushroom, sichuan fritillary, lily bulb, and tangerine peel cooked in a lean pork broth — the whole family can drink it to support lung health and stop lingering coughs.
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Q (Renee): My 14-month-old has a runny nose and a cough almost every month. Is this soup suitable? Bro Niu: Yes, this cordyceps flower soup is helpful for young children who catch colds easily. Give it twice a week. Keep the child warm, and for lots of nasal discharge, brew 5–6 magnolia flower buds (xin yi hua) as a tea.
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Q (Yee): I’m 18 weeks pregnant — can I drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, pregnant women can drink this soup.
Published August 4, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
