Soups
Codonopsis Red Jujube Peanut Soup
traditionally supports qi, blood, and healthy clotting function; associated with low platelet conditions
Why people make this soup
Thrombocytopenic purpura — the medical term for a condition where the body’s platelet count falls too low — can produce symptoms that Chinese medicine associates with long-standing deficiency: a sallow complexion, easy fatigue, recurring skin bruising, spontaneous nosebleeds or gum bleeding, and a general sense of feeling unwell. Bro Niu explains that in traditional Chinese medicine, this cluster of symptoms is often interpreted as the spleen’s qi being too weak to “hold blood in its vessels.” The strategy is therefore to strengthen qi and nourish blood rather than to address bleeding directly. The three ingredients in this soup — codonopsis, red-skin peanuts, and red jujubes — are all classically used for exactly this purpose, and together they form one of the most straightforward food-therapy soups for this type of presentation.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits: people with blood platelet deficiency presenting as chronic easy bruising, pale coloring, fatigue, and poor appetite; anyone with general qi and blood deficiency
- Cautions: people with bruising from physical injury, active gastric ulcers, or cancer should limit peanuts (peanuts support clotting, which could be counterproductive in those cases). People with high blood pressure should not use codonopsis — substitute lotus root (lian ou) instead. People with peanut allergy should omit peanuts and increase the number of jujubes.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Codonopsis (dang shen, Codonopsis pilosula): A gentle qi tonic; associated with supporting spleen and lung function, improving energy, and helping the body “hold blood.” Less warming and less likely to raise blood pressure than other ginseng-type herbs.
- Red-skin peanuts (hua sheng with red inner skin intact): The red inner skin is key — research cited in Chinese wellness literature suggests peanut skin extract may support hemostasis (normal clotting function) significantly more effectively than the nut alone. Eating the whole peanut with its skin is therefore important.
- Red jujube (hong zao): Warm and sweet; classically supports healthy blood production, calms the spirit, and strengthens the spleen.
Ingredients (2 bowls / serves 1–2)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Codonopsis root (dang shen) | ~12 g (4 qian) | Rinse before use |
| Raw peanuts with red skin | 75 g | Must keep the red skin — do not use blanched/skinned peanuts |
| Red jujube (pitted) | 15 pieces | |
| Water | 5 bowls (~900 ml) |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients. Pit the jujubes. Keep the red skins on the peanuts — this is important.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes until the liquid reduces to 2 bowls.
- Serve the soup and eat the peanuts and jujubes — consume everything.
Bro Niu’s tips
The peanuts in this recipe must have their red inner skins intact — not the outer shell, but the thin papery red skin that clings to the nut. This skin contains the compounds most associated with supporting healthy clotting. Do not use pre-skinned or blanched peanuts; they will not provide the same benefit. Note that while this soup can benefit people without platelet issues who simply have blood deficiency or pallor, anyone who has confirmed low platelet count should seek proper medical care — food therapy works best as a complement to medical treatment, not a replacement. People with high blood pressure: simply substitute 600 g of lotus root for the codonopsis root and you have a soup the whole family can enjoy.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (QQ): My family doesn’t have low platelets. Can we still drink this soup? We have high blood pressure. Bro Niu: Peanuts are nourishing and this soup is also helpful for blood deficiency and pale complexion — you don’t need a platelet condition to benefit. However, with high blood pressure, drop the codonopsis and use lotus root instead. Then the whole family can enjoy it.
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Q (reader, peanut allergy): What can substitute for peanuts if someone is allergic? Bro Niu: If there is a peanut allergy, simply omit the peanuts and add a few more red jujubes instead.
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Q (Carmen): Can someone with gout drink peanut skin water? My family member has been drinking it during chemotherapy and the platelet count has been staying stable. Bro Niu: Peanut skin water is fine for someone with gout. During chemotherapy it can be paired with red jujube — that combination is supportive and appropriate.
Published April 25, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
