Soups
Cordyceps Flower and Chayote Vegetable Soup
Traditionally used to support the body's natural defences
Why people make this soup
Autumn and winter are the classic seasons for building yourself up, but Bro Niu knows that some people run “yin-deficient with rising fire” — the moment they take a warming tonic, they feel heaty and out of sorts. They need something gentler. Cordyceps flower has long been called a “common-folk’s tonic”: affordable and mild in nature, traditionally taken to support the body’s defences and help fend off colds and seasonal sniffles.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people who feel tired and run-down, fall ill easily, or have a yin-deficient, easily-overheated constitution that doesn’t tolerate stronger tonics.
- Mild and friendly for the whole family. If you are pregnant or managing a health condition, check with your own practitioner first.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower (chong cao hua): Mild “common-folk’s tonic,” traditionally taken to support immunity.
- Chayote (he zhang gua): Rich in folate and vitamin C; traditionally associated with helping the body recover and easing fatigue.
- Lotus seed (lian zi) and lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen, calm the heart and moisten the lungs.
- Snow fungus (xue er) and water chestnut (ma ti): Traditionally used to clear heat and promote fluids.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinse and soak |
| Chayote | 1 | Peeled, cut in chunks |
| Fresh lotus seeds | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinse |
| Fresh lily bulb | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinse |
| Snow fungus | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak, trim |
| Water chestnuts | 6–8 | Peeled |
Method
- Soak and rinse the cordyceps flower, lotus seeds, lily bulb and snow fungus.
- Peel and cut the chayote and water chestnuts into chunks.
- Add everything to 7 bowls of water and simmer for 1 hour, reducing to about 4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Light and gently moistening, this soup is traditionally said to strengthen the spleen, open the appetite, clear heat and help the body release fluids. It is suitable for all ages.
Published January 29, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
