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Chestnut, Cashew, Lotus Root and Chicken Soup

traditionally associated with nourishing the kidneys, strengthening bones and sinews, and supporting joint comfort

In short: Chestnut, Cashew, Lotus Root and Chicken Soup is a soup that traditionally associated with nourishing the kidneys, strengthening bones and sinews, and supporting joint comfort. It is most often made for children's wellness, kidney & urinary wellness, bone & joint wellness. Total time about 110 min. Key ingredients: chestnuts, cashews, lotus root, ginger.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
20 min
Cook
90 min
Total
110 min
Makes
1.2 L
Children's WellnessKidney & Urinary WellnessBone & Joint WellnessEveryday Balance
Chestnut, Cashew, Lotus Root and Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

That dull, nagging ache in the lower back — the kind that creeps up after a long day on your feet, or settles in during middle age — is something many people live with quietly. In Chinese food therapy, this is often associated with the kidneys (in the traditional functional sense) running a little low, and the classic approach is to nourish and warm them with foods that have an affinity for the lower body. Chestnuts have been treasured for exactly this purpose for centuries. Nourilo is particularly enthusiastic about the small, smoky-sweet Guilin cone chestnut (桂林锥), which he finds tastier and more fragrant than the larger board chestnut — though both work. Combined with cashews, lotus root, ginger, and chicken, this soup is a flavourful, nourishing meal that the whole family can enjoy regularly.

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.

  • Ginger · Meta-analysis, 23 studies · 2022
    Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger studies
  • Red dates · Meta-analysis, 483 participants · 2025
    Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies

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.

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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