Ginkgo Nut, Walnut, Euryale and Almond Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

Asthma tends to run in families and can be triggered throughout the year, with spring and autumn being the most common seasons for flare-ups. Chinese medicine sees asthma as involving three organ systems: the lungs (which govern the airways), the spleen (which is considered the source of phlegm production), and the kidneys (which are thought to anchor the breath and provide the body’s foundational energy). During an active episode, medical treatment comes first. But during the quiet period between episodes — when the child feels well and lung function is stable — food therapy has a supportive role in traditionally building up these three systems and aiming to reduce how often attacks occur.

This soup uses ginkgo nuts to help reduce phlegm and stabilise the airways; walnuts to warm and support kidney yang; euryale seeds to strengthen the spleen and reduce phlegm; and the almond combination to gently open the chest and support breathing. The result is a soup that is warming and nourishing without being too rich or stimulating.

Method

1. Remove the inner embryo (core) from each ginkgo nut. Soak and rinse the walnut kernels, euryale seeds, almonds and tangerine peel. Pit the red dates.
2. Remove the skin from the chicken or partridge and cut into pieces. Blanch in boiling water briefly; drain.
3. Place all ingredients in a pot with 2.4 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours until the soup has reduced to about 1.2 L.
5. Serve the soup together with the solid ingredients. Children: serve 1–2 bowls per day according to age.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is gently warming rather than strongly hot — it suits a broad range of constitutions and is safe for the whole family. The most important preparation step is removing the ginkgo nut core (the green embryo inside), as it contains small amounts of toxins. For safety, Nourilo recommends the age-based dosing rule for children: one nut per year of age, with a maximum of 15 for adults. During the period of taking this soup, limit shrimp, crab and other shellfish in the diet, as these are traditionally thought to increase airway reactivity. Sweet almond should be soaked in warm water and the skin can be removed before cooking; the whole mixture is then simmered slowly until soft.