Soups
Astragalus Codonopsis Morinda Soup (bei qi dang shen ba ji tang)
Traditionally tonifies qi, supports spleen and kidney
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu wrote this for a friend who had felt heavy-eyelid tired and weak-limbed for months. In traditional thinking, lingering weakness is often tied to a depleted spleen, kidney and liver — chiefly the spleen and stomach. This soup pairs astragalus and codonopsis with morinda and yam to gently tonify qi and support the kidney, a comforting bowl for those who feel run down, with aching lower back, ringing ears and low energy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with a cold, qi-and-blood-deficient feel: tired, weak-limbed, aching back, frequent night urination; good after illness or childbirth.
- Avoid during a cold or fever, and for hot constitutions. Serious or persistent muscle weakness should be managed by a doctor — please see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Astragalus (bei qi): traditionally tonifies qi and supports the body’s defenses.
- Codonopsis (dang shen): traditionally a gentle qi tonic for the spleen and stomach.
- Morinda (ba ji tian): traditionally supports the kidney and warms the lower back and legs.
- Chinese yam (huai shan) and southern jujube (nan zao): traditionally nourish the spleen and harmonize the soup.
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Astragalus (bei qi) | 5 qian (~19 g) | |
| Codonopsis (dang shen) | 5 qian (~19 g) | |
| Morinda (ba ji tian) | 5 qian (~19 g) | |
| Chinese yam (huai shan) | 1 liang (~38 g) | |
| Southern jujube (nan zao) | 6 pieces | |
| Pork shank | 1 piece |
Method
- Blanch the pork shank in boiling water; rinse and soak the other ingredients.
- Put everything in a pot with 6 bowls of water and simmer about 2 hours down to 3 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
You can also cook the same ingredients into a congee for a gentler, more lasting effect. Traditionally helpful for those who feel weak after illness or childbirth, with aching back and frequent night urination. Skip it during a cold.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (御膳尚宫 / reader): Is this soup suitable for any constitution, as a regular household tonic? Bro Niu: It is better suited to cold and qi-and-blood-deficient people. Those with a hot constitution, or anyone with a cold, should not drink it.
- Q (Canny): My mother is in her seventies and quite weak. What can she drink to feel a bit stronger? Bro Niu: You can use astragalus and codonopsis 3 qian each, Chinese yam and fox-nut (qian shi) 1 liang each, and 5 jujubes, simmered in 5 bowls of water for 1 hour down to 2 bowls, about 4–5 times a week — it may help support her. Best alongside care from an experienced doctor.
- Q (Tt): Can this soup be drunk regularly? Bro Niu: Yes, it can be taken regularly — but not while you have a cold.
Published July 4, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
