Soups
Four-Seed Soup (Ginkgo, Pine Nut, Walnut, Peanut)
Traditionally used to support the kidneys and lungs and ease wheezing
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu has a gentle word for lifelong smokers: in later years, chronic bronchitis with emphysema tends to creep in — relentless coughing, more phlegm, worsening breathlessness, a hard road. For health’s sake, quit smoking as soon as you can. In the meantime, this warm “four-seed” soup is traditionally taken to support the lungs and kidneys and steady the breath in older people with chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits older adults with chronic bronchitis or accompanying emphysema, with cough and breathlessness.
- Not suitable for those with loose stools or diarrhea (the soup is moistening and lubricating).
- Use ginkgo nuts in moderation and always remove the core.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Ginkgo nuts (bai guo ren): traditionally used to help settle wheezing and steady the breath.
- Pine nuts and walnuts (song zi ren, he tao ren): rich, oily seeds traditionally used to moisten the lungs and support the kidneys.
- Peanuts (hua sheng ren): nourishing and traditionally used to moisten the lungs.
Ingredients (2 servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo nuts | 10 | Cores removed |
| Pine nuts | ~38 g (1 liang) | May swap for sweet apricot kernels (nan xing) |
| Walnuts | ~75 g (2 liang) | |
| Peanuts | ~75 g (2 liang) | |
| Rock sugar | to taste |
Method
- Remove the cores from the ginkgo nuts; rinse the rest.
- Put everything in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Simmer down to 2 bowls.
- Stir in rock sugar until dissolved.
- Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup also moistens the skin, improves complexion and gently eases the bowels. If you can’t find pine nuts, swap in sweet apricot kernels (nan xing). But anyone with loose stools or diarrhea should not take it.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Jettafc): How should four-seed soup be taken — how often a week? Bro Niu: Drink the soup and eat some of the ingredients to see results; about 2 batches a week, until symptoms improve.
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Q (Scy): If the elderly person has high cholesterol, can I swap the peanuts for lotus seeds? Red or white lotus seeds? Bro Niu: Yes — use red lotus seeds with their skins on in place of the peanuts.
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Q (Dada): How long do I cook four-seed soup, and how many servings does this make? Bro Niu: Simmer about 1 hour; this amount makes 2 servings.
Published September 28, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
