Soups
Chayote, Daylily, Lily Bulb and Silkie Chicken Soup
Traditionally used to calm the heart and settle the mind
Why people make this soup
The news can feel relentless — conflict, unrest, protests everywhere — and watching too much of it can leave the mind churning. That’s exactly when I reach for foods traditionally used to calm the heart and settle the spirit. Chayote is mild and sweet and suits most constitutions; daylily is poetically nicknamed “the herb that banishes worry”; lily bulb is traditionally used to calm the mind. Simmered with sweet carrot and silkie chicken, it’s nourishing and soothing.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone feeling anxious, irritable or struggling with sleep; suitable for young and old.
- If you have an external cold with fever, skip the silkie chicken and use lean pork instead.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chayote (he zhang gua): Mild and sweet; traditionally used to moisten the lungs and ease a tight, stressed mood.
- Daylily (jin zhen): Traditionally eaten to “forget worries.”
- Lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally used to calm the heart and settle the spirit.
- Silkie chicken (wu ji): A nourishing tonic base for the soup.
Ingredients (5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chayote | 1 | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Dried daylily (jin zhen) | 1 small pinch | Rinse and soak |
| Dried lily bulb (bai he) | ~37 g | Rinse and soak |
| Carrot | 1 | Peeled, cut |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Silkie chicken | 1 | Cut and blanched |
| Water | 9 bowls | Reduced to 5 |
Method
- Peel and chunk the chayote and carrot. Rinse and soak the daylily and lily bulb.
- Clean the silkie chicken, chop into large pieces and blanch.
- Add all ingredients to 9 bowls of water and simmer 1.5 hours until reduced to 5 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is sweet and tasty, suitable for young and old, and especially helpful for those feeling anxious, irritable or sleepless. If you have an external cold with fever, use lean pork instead of the silkie chicken.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Amy): Can I make it without the daylily? Bro Niu: Yes — you can leave out the daylily and add some fresh lotus seeds instead; they are very good for strengthening the spleen, nourishing the blood and calming the mind.
Published December 4, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
