Soups

Codonopsis, Angelica Root and Lamb Soup

Traditionally associated with warming the body, building qi and blood, and easing fatigue

In short: Codonopsis, Angelica Root and Lamb Soup is a soup that Traditionally associated with warming the body, building qi and blood, and easing fatigue. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, women's wellness, energy & vitality. Total time about 135 min. Key ingredients: codonopsis root, red dates, ginger, water chestnuts.

Prep
15 min
Cook
120 min
Total
135 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
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.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Red dates · Meta-analysis, 483 participants · 2025
    Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies
  • Ginger · Meta-analysis, 23 studies · 2022
    Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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