Soups
Walnut, Lily Bulb and Partridge Soup
Traditionally nourishes the lungs and kidneys and soothes cough and wheeze
Why people make this soup
Partridge is traditionally well regarded for nourishing the lungs and easing phlegm, and is considered helpful for those with bronchitis, wheeze or a tendency to cough — especially children with weak lung qi or asthma, during the calm period between flare-ups. Combined with walnut, lily bulb and apricot kernels, this soup is traditionally taken to support the lungs and kidneys and to soothe a chronic cough or wheeze.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Children and adults with a chronic cough or wheeze, during the settled phase
- One reader’s 10-month-old was given a little, about twice a week; a 17-month-old, about one bowl a day
- Not during an active cold with runny nose, sneezing or fever — Bro Niu specifically says to skip it then
- Not while taking antibiotics; wait until off them
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Partridge (zhe gu): sweet, mild and warming; traditionally builds the body and supports the lungs, soothing cough and wheeze
- Walnut (he tao rou): traditionally associated with supporting the kidneys and lungs
- Lily bulb (bai he): traditionally moistens the lungs and soothes a cough
- Apricot kernels (nan bei xing): a classic pairing traditionally said to ease cough and phlegm; the bitter kernel is used in small amounts
Ingredients (about 4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut meat | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinsed |
| Dried lily bulb | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinsed |
| Sweet and bitter apricot kernels | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinsed |
| Partridge | 1 | Cleaned, blanched |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices |
Method
- Clean the partridge and blanch it. Rinse the remaining ingredients.
- Simmer everything in 8 bowls of water for about 2 hours, down to about 4 bowls.
- Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Partridge meat is sweet and mild, warming in nature, and traditionally regarded as good for building the body, supporting the lungs and easing cough and wheeze — a comforting food-therapy choice for those troubled by coughing. If you can’t get partridge, quail can stand in.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Winnie): Can a 10-month-old baby drink partridge soup? Bro Niu: Yes — a little, about twice a week is enough.
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Q (Ivy): My kids have a cold with runny nose, sore red throat and fever — can they drink this soup? Bro Niu: With a cold, runny nose, sore throat and fever, skip the walnut-partridge soup. A pear soup with fritillaria is more suitable then; the walnut-partridge soup is for when they’re not on antibiotics.
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Q (Polly): Can I use quail instead of partridge — does it still help with cough? Bro Niu: Yes, quail works; it traditionally supports the organs and helps soothe cough and wheeze.
Published March 8, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
