Bai Ji, Snow Fungus and Apricot Kernel Sweet Soup

Why people make this soup

A persistent, long-lasting cough deserves attention. In traditional Chinese medicine, the five organs are each associated with different types of cough — but lung diseases, from chronic bronchitis to tuberculosis, are among the most common causes of a lingering cough. When a chronic cough comes with phlegm that occasionally contains blood, it points to damage or weakness in the lung’s blood vessels or tissue.

The classical Chinese herb for this situation is bai ji (Bletilla striata), a starchy, sticky rhizome that has been used for centuries specifically to halt bleeding in the lungs and stop haemoptysis (coughing blood). Nourilo pairs it here with snow fungus for its deeply moistening, collagen-like effect on the respiratory tract, and with north-south apricot kernels, which soothe the airways and ease coughing. The result is a mild, gently sweet, clear soup that is easy to take regularly. Nourilo notes it has no strong herbal flavour — just a clean, soothing quality.