Glehnia, Polygonatum, Lotus Seed & Barley Soup

Why people make this soup

Some young children are grazers by nature — always snacking, fond of cold drinks and icy treats, but never hungry when a proper meal arrives. Over time, this pattern can show up as poor appetite, loose stools, a slightly puffy look, and that characteristic low energy by midday. Chinese food therapy describes this as a “spleen-deficient, damp-heavy” pattern in children. The spleen — in Chinese medicine’s functional sense — governs digestion and the transformation of food into usable energy. When it is underperforming, dampness accumulates and appetite suffers. This soup uses a carefully chosen group of gentle, sweet, and nourishing ingredients to quietly strengthen that digestive centre without putting any strain on a small body.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Well suited for children with poor appetite, loose or pasty stools, low energy, or a tendency to look a bit puffy
• Also excellent as a year-round wellness soup for the whole family, including adults recovering from illness
• Do not serve during fever or acute illness; resume once the child has recovered
• The salt-processed euryale seeds (zhi qian shi) have an enhanced astringent and dampness-draining effect compared to regular euryale — both can be used, but the salt-processed variety is preferred for loose-stool patterns

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Northern glehnia (bei sha shen): A gentle yin-nourishing root that supports the lungs and stomach; mildly moistening without being greasy — suitable for children who run dry as well as damp
• Polygonatum (yu zhu): Nourishes the stomach yin and body fluids; helps improve appetite; traditionally pairs well with sha shen as a mild, non-heating tonic
• Lotus seeds (lian zi): Strengthen the spleen and calm the mind; mildly astringent, which helps reduce loose stools; cook until soft so children can eat them
• Euryale seeds (qian shi): A starchy, mildly astringent seed from the water lily family; paired with lotus seeds as a classic combination to firm stools and support the spleen and kidneys
• Job’s tears / barley (yi mi): Drains dampness, supports the spleen, and gently reduces swelling; very easy to digest and mild in flavour
• Red dates (hong zao): Nourish the blood, harmonise the spleen, and add pleasant natural sweetness
• Lean pork: Adds protein and makes the soup more satisfying; can be eaten alongside

Ingredients (4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Northern glehnia root (bei sha shen)	15 g	Rinse and soak briefly
Polygonatum rhizome (yu zhu)	15 g	Rinse briefly
Lotus seeds (lian zi)	37 g	Rinse; remove bitter green germ if desired
Salt-processed euryale (zhi qian shi)	15 g	Regular qian shi also fine
Job’s tears / barley (yi mi)	15 g	Rinse and soak briefly
Red dates, pitted (hong zao)	6 pieces	Remove pits
Lean pork	300 g	Rinse; blanch briefly if preferred
Water	8 cups	Simmered down to 4 cups

Method

1. Rinse all herbs and soak briefly in cold water. Drain.
2. Rinse the lean pork; blanch briefly in boiling water if you prefer a cleaner stock. Drain.
3. Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 cups of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
5. Cook for about 2 hours until the liquid reduces to roughly 4 cups.
6. Serve warm. Encourage children to eat the lotus seeds, barley, and soft pork alongside the soup.

Bro Niu’s tips

This soup is mild in flavour and balanced in nature — not warming, not cooling — which makes it genuinely suitable across all four seasons and for most members of the family. It is one of those recipes worth coming back to regularly. The salt-processed euryale seeds have a slightly stronger effect at reducing dampness and firming stools than regular euryale — worth asking for specifically at a Chinese herbal shop if your child has ongoing loose-stool problems. If you are making this for the whole family, simply double the quantities and use around 14–16 cups of water.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Wing Chan): The recipe mentions lotus seeds — should I buy fresh lotus seeds or dried ones from a herbal shop? And should I remove the bitter green centre? Bro Niu: Fresh lotus seeds are ideal if you can find them — use about 75 g (2 liang). Dried ones from a herbal shop or grocery store work perfectly well too. Leaving the green germ in helps clear heart fire, but it adds a slight bitterness that children may not enjoy — for everyday soups it is fine to remove it.

• Q (芊芊): Can the whole family drink this, including a 4-year-old? Should I add more for 4 people? Can I add corn or winter melon? Bro Niu: This soup is suitable for all ages, including young children. For 4 people, simply double the amounts. You can absolutely add corn or winter melon — both are pleasant additions.

• Q (aki): Can this soup be given to a child with a fever? Bro Niu: No — do not give any nourishing or tonifying soup during a fever. Wait until the fever has passed, then resume.

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Published November 16, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.