Soups
Astragalus and Snow Fungus Pork Soup
traditionally used to support recovery after surgery or illness, nourish the lungs, and encourage healthy blood cell production
In short: Astragalus and Snow Fungus Pork Soup is a soup that traditionally used to support recovery after surgery or illness, nourish the lungs, and encourage healthy blood cell production. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, energy & vitality, blood nourishment. Total time about 1 hr 20 min. Key ingredients: astragalus root, snow fungus / white fungus, lean pork.
Why people make this soup
Snow fungus (xue er, sometimes called white wood ear or tremella) is a delicate, ruffled mushroom with a silky texture when cooked. In traditional Cantonese food therapy it is compared to bird’s nest — both share a gentle nourishing quality for the lungs and skin, but snow fungus is far more affordable and widely available. Beyond its well-known cosmetic uses (long-term consumption is said to moisturize the skin and reduce age spots), modern research has found that snow fungus contains polysaccharides that appear to stimulate bone marrow activity. This is the reason it is traditionally paired with astragalus (bei qi) — one of the most foundational qi-tonifying herbs — when someone is recovering from surgery, a serious illness, or chemotherapy and their white blood cell count is low. Together they make a gentle, clear-tasting soup that supports the body while it rebuilds.
What studies say about the key ingredients
Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.
- Astragalus root
TA-65 was associated with longer leukocyte telomeres compared with controls, but the meta-analysis found no significant improvement in frailty measures or inflammatory markers (CRP/IL-6). Mild gastrointestinal effects were reported.Limitation: Industry-funded trials reported larger effects than others, and the compound is a purified extract at doses not comparable to eating Astragalus root.PubMed 41286474 · 3 more astragalus root studies - Snow fungus
The Tremella fuciformis groups showed greater improvements than placebo in subjective memory complaint scores, short-term memory and executive function tests. Adverse event frequency was similar across high-dose, low-dose and placebo groups.Limitation: Small sample with only 15 people in the placebo group and a short 8-week duration; the brain imaging findings were exploratory.PubMed 29319408
From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.
Safety first — read before you cook
This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
- take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
- have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.
Ingredient notes for this recipe
- Astragalus: May interact with medicines that suppress the immune system. A thorough safety evaluation has not been done, and little is known about its safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Source: NIH NCCIH — Astragalus
Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes
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