Soups

Snow Fungus, White-Back Black Wood Ear & Jujube Soup

traditionally associated with nourishing blood, improving skin radiance, boosting immunity, and supporting recovery during chemotherapy

In short: Snow Fungus, White-Back Black Wood Ear & Jujube Soup is a soup that traditionally associated with nourishing blood, improving skin radiance, boosting immunity, and supporting recovery during chemotherapy. It is most often made for women's wellness, skin & natural beauty, energy & vitality. Total time about 50 min. Key ingredients: red dates.

Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Total
50 min
Makes
900 ml
Snow Fungus, White-Back Black Wood Ear & Jujube Soup

Why people make this soup

Snow fungus — sometimes called “the poor person’s bird’s nest” in Chinese culinary tradition — has been prized for generations because it is rich in plant-based collagen-like compounds that may help skin maintain its elasticity and glow as we age. Black wood ear, its close cousin, is one of the most iron-dense plant foods and has long been used to address pallor and anaemia. Together with blood-nourishing red dates, this combination makes a naturally sweet, deeply nourishing bowl that suits people of almost any age. Modern food science has taken an interest in the polysaccharides found in both fungi, which have been studied for their potential effects on bone marrow activity and immune function — making this a popular supportive dish for people going through chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

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.

  • Snow fungus · Randomized controlled trial · 2018
    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
  • 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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