Soups
Codonopsis, Cinnamon Twig & Squab Soup
Traditionally used to tonify heart qi, warm the channels, and support energy in those with fatigue and cold sensitivity
Why people make this soup
Those dealing with hypothyroidism — underactive thyroid — often live with a particular kind of low-energy fog: heart palpitations, breathlessness from the slightest exertion, a voice that feels softer than it used to, slow thinking, poor appetite, and a persistent sense of cold that does not match the room temperature. Traditional Chinese food therapy associates these patterns with “insufficient heart qi” and “spleen-stomach deficiency,” and recommends warming, tonifying foods. Bro Niu’s soup here uses three main actors: codonopsis root as a gentle qi tonic, cinnamon twig to warm and open the channels, and squab (young pigeon), which is considered a more tonifying protein than regular chicken. The ginger and dates round it out. This is a soup families can make for someone who is convalescing or feeling chronically worn down.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with hypothyroidism experiencing fatigue, palpitations, breathlessness, cold limbs, or low stamina may find this soup a useful dietary complement to their medical care
- Those with a cold constitution and weak limbs can also benefit
- Not suitable during active fever, flu, or other acute external illness — wait until the illness has fully resolved
- Those with a very hot constitution (prone to night sweats, internal heat, or flushing) can remove the cinnamon twig and codonopsis, and replace with Chinese yam, poria mushroom, and snow fungus instead, which are more neutral in nature
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Codonopsis root (dang shen / Codonopsis pilosula): A gentler, more affordable alternative to ginseng in Chinese herbal cooking; classically used to tonify the middle-jiao qi, strengthen spleen-stomach function, and build blood; considered slightly warming, so those prone to heat or dryness should use it judiciously
- Cinnamon twig (gui zhi / Cinnamomum cassia twigs): Unlike the bark (which is much stronger), the twig is used to gently warm and promote circulation through the channels, support heart yang, and ease cold extremities
- Squab (young pigeon / ru ge): In Chinese cooking, squab is considered more enriching and tonifying than chicken, associated with building qi, blood, and kidney essence
- Ginger and red dates: Classic warming, harmonising companions in tonic soups
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Codonopsis root (dang shen) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Cinnamon twig (gui zhi) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinse |
| Fresh ginger (sheng jiang) | 3 slices | |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 6 pieces | Pitted |
| Squab / young pigeon | 1 whole | Cleaned and blanched; or substitute half a free-range chicken |
| Water | 8 bowls (~2 L) |
Method
- Clean and blanch the squab briefly in boiling water to remove impurities; drain and rinse.
- Pit the red dates. Soak and rinse the codonopsis and cinnamon twig.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
- Serve warm. Drink the soup and eat some of the squab meat.
Bro Niu’s tips
If squab is unavailable, half a free-range chicken works well in its place. For more severe symptoms of fatigue and palpitations, codonopsis can be upgraded to Korean ginseng (gao li shen) — use 3 qian. Those with a hot constitution should omit the cinnamon twig and codonopsis and use neutral ingredients such as Chinese yam, poria, and snow fungus instead.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Angeline): I have hypothyroidism and look very pale and waxy. I am also losing a lot of hair. My TCM doctor says I have liver-fire and blood-qi deficiency. What should I eat? Bro Niu: Try using processed fleece flower root (zhi shou wu) and yellow essence (huang jing), 5 qian each, with 1 liang black beans and 6 southern jujubes, simmered with half a black-bone chicken. This combination is traditionally associated with nourishing liver blood and supporting hair health. Cook with 8 bowls of water for 1.5 hours, yielding about 4 bowls — drink over 2 days, at a rate of 2 servings per week.
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Q (Yee): I want to brew a cup of codonopsis and southern jujube tea every evening. How much should I use? Can I also drink astragalus-and-date tea in the morning? Bro Niu: Codonopsis can be slightly more drying than astragalus, but for someone with a cold constitution, codonopsis-and-date tea is fine. Cut the codonopsis into thin slices before steeping — do not soak overnight. Steep for about 15 minutes. Both teas support qi and blood; you can alternate them. Use about 10 g of codonopsis or astragalus with 4 southern jujubes per serving.
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Q (may): I have a hot constitution but also anaemia — can I drink this soup? Bro Niu: If you have a hot constitution, remove the cinnamon twig and codonopsis. Replace with Chinese yam, poria mushroom (fu ling), snow fungus, and the like, which are more neutral.
Published September 11, 2015 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
