Soups
Fresh Yam, Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, Sour Jujube and Longan Soup
Traditionally used to settle the mind and support restful sleep
Why people make this soup
When money worries and a heavy mind keep you awake, Bro Niu reaches for a quiet, comforting bowl like this one. It is the kind of soup our parents simmered to “settle the nerves” after a hard stretch — mild, slightly herbal, but easy to drink. The idea is simple: nourish the spleen and the heart so the mind has somewhere to rest at night.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people who feel anxious or scattered, struggle to fall asleep, or find their attention hard to hold.
- Not suitable while a cold or flu is still present. If insomnia or low mood is severe or ongoing, please see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh Chinese yam (xian huai shan), lotus seed (lian zi), lily bulb (bai he): traditionally used together to strengthen the spleen and calm the spirit.
- Sour jujube seed (suan zao ren), arborvitae seed (bai zi ren), longan (yuan rou): classically associated with nourishing the heart, easing anxiety, and a quiet, settling effect on the mind.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Chinese yam | 1 root | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Lotus seeds | ~38 g | Rinsed |
| Dried lily bulb | ~38 g | Rinsed |
| Sour jujube seed | ~11 g | Rinsed |
| Arborvitae seed | ~11 g | Rinsed |
| Dried longan | ~19 g | Rinsed |
| Lean pork | ~450 g | Cut into chunks, blanched |
Method
- Peel the fresh yam and cut into chunks. Rinse the lotus seeds, lily bulb, sour jujube seed, arborvitae seed and longan.
- Cut the pork into chunks and blanch in boiling water.
- Put everything in a pot with 9 bowls of water, bring up and simmer for 2 hours until reduced to about 4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup has a faint herbal note but goes down easily — even the elderly and children will not turn it away. Just remember: do not drink it while a cold has not yet cleared. If you only have dried yam, use about 38 g (1 liang); that quantity still serves four.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Christine): How much dried yam should I use instead of fresh, and is this a 4-person recipe? Bro Niu: Use about 38 g (1 liang) of dried yam; yes, it serves four.
Published January 2, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
