Longan and Lily Bulb Soup

Why people make this soup

When life keeps your mind racing long past bedtime, traditional Chinese food therapy has long turned to simple, nourishing brews rather than complicated remedies. This two-ingredient soup pairs dried longan flesh with lily bulb — two ingredients that have been used in Cantonese kitchens for generations to settle an overexcited nervous system. It is light, mildly sweet, and easy enough to make on a weeknight. Nourilo recommends sipping it consistently over several days rather than expecting overnight results.

Method

1. Rinse longan flesh and lily bulb briefly under cold water.
2. Place both ingredients in a small pot with 900 ml of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 20 minutes until the liquid reduces to about 300 ml.
4. Drink the liquid and eat the cooked ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

Both men and women can enjoy this brew. Pregnant women should swap out the longan and use fu shen (poria heart, 茯神) at 19 g instead — it provides calming benefits without the warming nature of longan. For best results, drink for a week consecutively; once symptoms improve, you can stop.