Soy Milk, Walnut and Black Sesame Paste

Why people make this paste

In traditional Chinese food therapy, persistent dark spots or a dull complexion are often linked to deficiencies in blood, yin, and liver-kidney vitality rather than a surface problem. No matter how many expensive creams you apply, the thinking goes, real improvement comes from nourishing the body from within. Walnuts and black sesame are two of the most valued foods for this purpose — rich in healthy fats, minerals, and compounds that have long been associated with skin health and hair vitality. Blended into a warm, creamy paste with soy milk, this is an easy daily ritual that tastes genuinely good.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Women and men looking to support skin radiance and reduce the appearance of age spots or uneven tone
• Menopausal women who experience facial spotting — a very common presentation
• Breastfeeding mothers (walnut and sesame are considered nourishing and supportive)
• People with a hot constitution should be mindful of quantity; the paste is considered fairly neutral but walnut is slightly warming
• Those watching cholesterol can still enjoy this — walnut fat is predominantly unsaturated; aim for about twice a week rather than daily
• People with yin-deficiency and internal heat should see a practitioner to address the root pattern first

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Walnut (he tao rou): Traditionally regarded as a kidney tonic that also moistens the lungs and intestines; rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin barrier function.
• Black sesame (hei zhi ma): Considered one of the finest foods for nourishing liver and kidney yin, and associated with lustrous hair and skin; best toasted before grinding to enhance flavour and digestibility.
• Soy milk (dou jiang): Traditionally used to supplement protein and support hormonal balance; contains plant isoflavones considered gentle compared to animal-derived hormones.

Ingredients (1 serving)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Walnut kernels	37 g (1 oz)
Black sesame seeds	26 g (7 qian)	Toast in a dry pan, then grind
Soy milk or fresh milk	1 cup (about 250 ml)
White sugar or honey	to taste	Honey is preferred

Method

1. Toast the black sesame seeds in a dry pan over low heat until fragrant, then set aside to cool.
2. Grind the walnut kernels and toasted black sesame seeds into a fine powder (or use pre-made walnut powder and black sesame powder — 2 tablespoons of each).
3. Mix the powder into the soy milk (or fresh milk) and stir well.
4. Heat gently over low heat, stirring constantly, until it just comes to the boil.
5. Add sugar or honey to taste and serve warm.

Bro Niu’s tips

Ready-ground walnut powder and black sesame powder are widely available and make this recipe very quick to prepare — simply use 2 tablespoons of each. Honey is a lovely sweetener here. Commit to having this regularly — fading age spots that have been there for years takes patience; one cup a day for a sustained period is the key. For stubborn spots, Bro Niu also suggests applying a paste of almond powder mixed with egg white to the affected area, leaving it on for half an hour, then rinsing — doing this daily alongside the internal remedy can accelerate results. You can also slice a piece of fresh loofah (silk gourd), apply its juice to the skin after cleansing, and leave it without rinsing — it helps tighten, brighten, and smooth without any irritation.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Happy): I am in my 50s and have had yellowish-brown spots for over ten years. Can this recipe really help? Bro Niu: Yes, this is the right approach for your type of spots. Alongside the paste, try mixing almond powder with egg white into a paste and applying it to the face for half an hour daily — it can help speed up fading.

• Q (玲玲): My mother is 57 and going through menopause. She has many spots on her face. Can she have this paste? Can she use honey instead of sugar? Bro Niu: Absolutely — menopausal women often develop spots as part of this life transition. Honey is actually better here than plain sugar.

• Q (reader, 李太): Is it safe to drink a cup of unsweetened soy milk daily? I’ve heard soy isoflavones could cause tumours. Bro Niu: One cup of unsweetened soy milk daily is beneficial and will not cause tumours. Plant isoflavones are quite safe. What’s worth reducing is hormonally-raised factory poultry and farmed fish — those are the bigger concern.

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Published March 5, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.