Astragalus and Snow Fungus Pork Soup

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.