Codonopsis, Angelica Root and Lamb Soup

Why people make this soup

Angelica root (dang gui) has a long history in Chinese culinary medicine as a powerful blood-nourishing herb, widely known for supporting women’s health — menstrual regularity, relief from period discomfort, and driving out cold from the body. But Nourilo is quick to point out that dang gui is not exclusively for women. Men experiencing cold extremities, physical depletion, or the subtler signs of male hormonal changes can benefit equally. This herb also appears quietly in Southeast Asian favourites like bak kut teh and Taiwanese beef noodles, lending its distinctive, slightly sweet herbal depth to dishes that both men and women enjoy.

The key to using dang gui well is pairing it with a qi tonic like codonopsis (dang shen) or astragalus (bei qi) — traditional theory holds that qi and blood support each other, and codonopsis helps moderate dang gui’s slight drying quality. Add lean, warming lamb and you have a classic cold-season soup that genuinely earns its keep on a winter table.