Nourilo

Soups

Chinese Yam, Lotus Seed and Chestnut Pork Shin Soup

Traditionally supports the spleen and kidneys and gently rebuilds qi and essence

In short: Chinese Yam, Lotus Seed and Chestnut Pork Shin Soup is a soup that Traditionally supports the spleen and kidneys and gently rebuilds qi and essence. It is most often made for digestive wellness, children's wellness, kidney & urinary wellness. Total time about 2 hr 20 min. Key ingredients: chinese yam, lotus seeds, chestnuts, red dates.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
20 min
Cook
2 hr
Total
2 hr 20 min
Makes
1 pot
Digestive WellnessChildren's WellnessKidney & Urinary WellnessEnergy & VitalityEveryday Balance
Chinese Yam, Lotus Seed and Chestnut Pork Shin Soup

Why people make this soup

Some people, after overwork or a poor recovery from illness, feel run-down, low on energy and short on appetite. The tricky part is that many of them “can’t take a tonic” — one bowl of something strong and they get a dry mouth, mouth ulcers or a sore throat. Nourilo’s answer is gentle tonifying: mild, even-natured foods like Chinese yam, lotus seed and chestnut that rebuild quietly without overheating. This soup is sweet and easy to drink, and traditionally supports the spleen and kidneys.

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.

  • Lotus seeds · Randomized crossover trial, 10 participants · 2019
    Lotus seed meals had a low glycemic index (GI 21–51 across the lotus seed and adzuki bean meals), while several other starchy foods did not differ significantly from rice. Lotus seed's in vitro hydrolysis index was also lower than that of other test foods.Limitation: Only ten healthy participants and acute single-meal tests, so findings may not apply to people with diabetes or to long-term intake.PubMed 30875961
  • 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

Members only

Unlock the full method & Nourilo's tips

One payment, lifetime access to every one of our 2,344 recipes — step-by-step methods, preparation tips and serving notes.

  • Full step-by-step method for this and all 2,344 recipes
  • Nourilo's Tips — sourcing, substitutions and serving notes
  • One-time payment · card, Apple Pay or Google Pay · no subscription, no renewals

Checking your access…

Spot an error? Report a correction

You might also like

Related recipes

More soups →

Comments

Loading comments…