Walnut and South Apricot Kernel Puree

Why people make this puree

When a child’s wheeze comes with clear, watery, white frothy phlegm, a cold body with no sweat, a pale bluish face, cool limbs and no thirst (or a wish for warm drinks), the pattern is usually a cold one. For cold-type wheezing, Bro Niu leans on warming, lung-and-kidney-supporting foods like walnut, ginkgo and south apricot kernel, with a little ginger and brown sugar to warm the lungs and move phlegm. This puree is tasty and nourishing, and can be eaten both during a flare and in the calmer in-between periods.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits children with a cold-type wheeze: clear white frothy phlegm, cold limbs, pale face, no thirst.
• NOT for a heat-type wheeze (thick yellow phlegm, fever, red face). Do not use walnut while a fever is unresolved. For a heat pattern, Bro Niu suggests ginkgo, winter-melon seed and north apricot kernel with a little rock sugar instead.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• He tao rou (walnut, with skin): traditionally said to support the lungs and kidneys.
• Nan xing (south apricot kernel): associated with moistening the lungs and easing a cough.
• Sheng jiang zhi (ginger juice): added to warm the lungs and help move phlegm.
• Hong tang (brown sugar): warming, and balances the flavour.

Ingredients (1 day, in 2 portions)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Walnut meat (with skin)	~38 g (1 liang)	dry-toast in a wok until fragrant
South apricot kernel	~19 g (5 qian)
Fresh ginger juice	1 tsp
Brown sugar	to taste
Cornstarch slurry	a little	to thicken

Method

1. Dry-toast the walnut meat in a wok until fragrant.
2. Put the walnut and south apricot kernel in a blender with 2 bowls of water and blend into a smooth puree.
3. Pour the puree into a pot, add the ginger juice and brown sugar, and bring to a strong boil.
4. Stir in a little cornstarch slurry, cook briefly to thicken, and serve. Take in 2 portions over the day.

Bro Niu’s tips

This sweet puree is tasty and nourishing, and a child can take it both during a flare and in the calmer periods between. Walnut powder and apricot-kernel powder can be used in place of the whole nuts with much the same effect.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (wyccara): If I use walnut powder and apricot-kernel powder, is the effect the same? Bro Niu: You can use walnut powder plus apricot-kernel powder; the effect is about the same.
• Q (Kris): I made the walnut, tangerine-peel and ginger drink for my son but it turned out very bitter — can I add honey dates? Bro Niu: You can add 2 honey dates; too many will bring up phlegm.
• Q (angel): If there is internal heat but no fever, can walnut still be used? My child had a low fever; the doctor says yin deficiency with heat. Bro Niu: If the fever isn’t fully gone, don’t use walnut meat. Use bei qi, fang feng and bai zhu (~11 g each), gui zhi (~7 g) and tangerine peel (~4 g) to make a soup instead — it helps strengthen the constitution and ease the chills. Take 3 doses.

---

Published November 22, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.