Soups
Ligustrum & Longan Lean Pork Soup
Calms the mind, supports restful sleep & memory
Why people make this soup
Long hours of thinking and mental strain leave many city dwellers lying awake at night, forgetful by day. In the Chinese food-therapy tradition, the answer isn’t a stronger sedative — it’s gently nourishing the body so the mind can settle on its own. This mild soup pairs two classic calming ingredients with lean pork and is gentle enough for the whole family.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for: people troubled by poor sleep, forgetfulness, palpitations, or an over-busy mind; also traditionally enjoyed for dizziness, ringing in the ears, weak lower back and knees, and early greying hair.
- Go easy: if you have a heavy cold or fever, wait until you recover. As with any new food, introduce small amounts first.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Glossy privet fruit · Ligustrum lucidum (nü zhen zi): in traditional terms, nourishes the liver and kidney, settles the five organs, brightens the eyes, and supports dark, healthy hair.
- Dried longan (gui yuan rou): traditionally said to benefit the heart and spleen, replenish qi and blood, and calm and steady the mind.
- Lean pork: a neutral, nourishing base that makes the herbs gentle and easy to take.
Ingredients (makes 3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glossy privet fruit (nü zhen zi) | ~38 g (1 tael) | from a Chinese herb shop |
| Dried longan flesh (gui yuan rou) | ~30 g (8 mace) | the sweet dried fruit |
| Lean pork | ~225 g (6 tael) | sliced |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients; slice the pork.
- Place everything in a pot, add water, and simmer for about 1 hour. Serve.
As everyday food therapy, use about 6 bowls of water reduced to 3–4 bowls. As a more concentrated single serving, use 6 bowls of water reduced to 3 bowls and take in 3 portions across the day.
Bro Niu’s tips
The soup is only faintly herbal, so the whole family can enjoy it. It’s also traditionally valued for dizziness, ringing ears, an achy lower back and knees, and premature greying.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Connie): Can I just steep nü zhen zi and longan as a tea — how much, and what else can I add? Bro Niu: Yes — about 1 tablespoon each, steeped as a tea. Nü zhen zi also pairs well with goji berries, astragalus (bei qi), or codonopsis (dang shen) simmered as a drink to gently tonify.
- Q (Emmanuel): My father feels heat rather than cold, and has nighttime urination — what can replace the longan? Bro Niu: If he tends toward heat, skip the longan (it’s warming) and use about 4 mace of fu shen instead, which calms the mind. For night urination, drink less in the 3 hours before bed.
- Q (reader): Can I add goji berries to this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, goji berries are a fine addition.
Published March 5, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
