Almond Juice, Ginkgo Nut, Walnut and Euryale Soup

Why people make this soup

Asthma in children is one of the most distressing things for a parent to deal with — the wheezing, the interrupted sleep, the repeated doctor visits. In traditional Chinese food therapy, prolonged respiratory weakness in children is associated with a pattern of deficiency affecting the lungs, spleen, and kidneys together. When a child is in a calm period — no active wheezing, no fever, no acute illness — this is the right time to gently build up their constitution with nourishing food.

Bro Niu recommends this soup specifically for the remission phase of childhood asthma. It brings together ingredients that traditional food therapy considers beneficial for the respiratory system and the body’s foundational energy: ginkgo nuts to help ease wheezing, walnuts to warm and support the kidneys, euryale seeds to strengthen the spleen, and almond powder to moisten the lungs. It is a pleasant, mildly sweet soup that the whole family can drink.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Intended for children with recurrent asthma during remission periods (no active wheezing, fever, or acute illness)
• The whole family can drink this soup
• IMPORTANT: Do not give this soup during an active asthma attack or during acute respiratory illness
• Ginkgo nuts contain a mildly toxic compound in their core (the green embryo) — the core MUST be removed before cooking; a general guideline for children is 1 nut per year of age (e.g., 3 nuts for a 3-year-old), up to a sensible limit
• For heart conditions: note that the core of lotus seeds and ophiopogon (mai dong) have cardiac-active effects; if serving to someone with heart disease, consult a doctor first

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Ginkgo nuts (bai guo): Traditionally associated with astringing the lungs and reducing wheezing and phlegm; the core (embryo) must be removed as it contains mild toxins — the cooked nut flesh is safe in moderate amounts
• Walnut kernels (he tao rou): In food therapy, considered warming and associated with tonifying the kidneys, supporting breathing, and benefiting the brain
• Euryale seeds (qian shi): A neutral seed associated with strengthening the spleen and stopping excess dampness — children with asthma often have weak digestive systems alongside their respiratory issues
• Almond powder (xing ren fen): Traditionally associated with moistening the lungs and helping resolve phlegm
• Dried tofu skin (fu pi): A protein-rich ingredient associated with nourishing the lungs
• Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Supports digestion and prevents the soup from sitting heavily

Ingredients (4–5 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Almond powder	1 tablespoon	Mix with 1 tbsp water before adding
Ginkgo nuts	10 pieces	Remove the green core — this is essential
Walnut kernels	6 pieces
Euryale seeds	19 g	Soak and rinse
Dried tofu skin	1/4 sheet
Dried tangerine peel	1 piece

Method

1. Remove the green embryo (core) from each ginkgo nut — this is essential for safety.
2. Soak and rinse the euryale seeds and dried tangerine peel.
3. Mix the almond powder with 1 tablespoon of water to form a smooth slurry; set aside.
4. Place all ingredients except the almond slurry into a pot with 7 bowls of water.
5. Cook on a medium simmer for 1 hour.
6. Stir in the almond slurry and continue to cook for 5 minutes.
7. Serve and enjoy both the soup and the ingredients. Can be sweetened with rock sugar or served as a savoury soup with lean pork or quail.

Bro Niu’s tips

The whole family can drink this soup. The ginkgo nut core contains a mildly toxic substance and must be removed without fail. For children, a helpful guideline is 1 nut per year of age. This soup works both as a sweet dessert soup with rock sugar, or as a savoury soup — just add lean pork or quail (zhe gu) for better effect. During active illness or an asthma attack, do not serve this soup; wait until the child is well and in a calm period.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (joanna): My son is two years old and has asthma. He is currently having a flare-up and is taking steroids. He still has runny nose and cough. What soup is suitable for him now? Bro Niu: During an active flare-up, try this: slice 1 onion, place it in a bowl, and steam over high heat for 20 minutes. Press the onion with a spoon to extract the juice and give it to him to drink, twice a day — best one hour before sleep. It can help ease coughing. During the remission period, use 10 ginkgo nuts (cores removed), 40 g walnut kernels, 40 g sweet and bitter almonds, 6 red dates, and 1 piece of tangerine peel to cook with quail or crocodile meat soup — twice a week, the whole family can drink it.

• Q (Yan): My baby is 9 months old and has had bronchitis twice in the past three months. Is there something suitable for her at this age? Bro Niu: Try this: 2 qian of fritillaria bulb powder (chuan bei mo), 1 apple (peeled and cored), cooked with 3 bowls of water to make 1 bowl. Give the baby the whole bowl spread over one day. Use two to three times a week; stop when the symptoms improve.

---

Published July 17, 2015 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.