Soups
Cordyceps Flower, Fritillaria, Glehnia and Dried Scallop Soup
Traditionally used to moisten the lungs, transform phlegm and ease cough
Why people make this soup
When the weather turns, children with weak lungs catch colds and coughs easily — and those coughs can drag on for ages, which worries any parent. Bro Niu’s advice is to build lung resilience on the well days, not just the sick ones. This soup is traditionally used to moisten the lungs, transform phlegm and ease cough, making it a gentle tonic for little ones whose airways are sensitive.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Children with weak lungs and airways who cough easily, on their well days
- Adults with weak lungs who cough easily (you can add a whole pig lung for the family)
- Do not give to a child with a fever
- If a cough is severe, lingers, or phlegm turns yellow-green, please see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower (chong cao hua): traditionally associated with supporting lung-qi and the body’s defenses.
- Pearl fritillary (chuan bei): a classic herb said to transform phlegm and quiet a cough.
- Glehnia (sha shen): traditionally used to nourish yin and moisten the lungs.
- Apricot kernels & figs: said to moisten the lungs and ease cough while sweetening the broth.
- Dried scallop (yao zhu): adds umami depth and is traditionally seen as gently nourishing.
Ingredients (about 3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower (chong cao hua) | ~19 g / 5 qian | rinsed |
| Pearl fritillary (chuan bei) | ~11 g / 3 qian | rinsed |
| Glehnia (sha shen) | ~19 g / 5 qian | rinsed |
| Apricot kernels (nan/bei xing) | ~40 g / 1 liang | rinsed |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 4 | |
| Dried scallop (yao zhu) | ~40 g / 1 liang | soaked until soft |
Method
- Soak the dried scallop in clean water until soft; rinse the other ingredients.
- Put everything in a pot with 6 bowls of water and simmer about 2 hours down to roughly 3 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup also suits adults with weak lungs who cough easily. For the whole family, add a whole pig lung. If you steam it as a double-boiled soup instead of simmering, allow about 3 hours.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (scy): Can someone with a cold, weak stomach drink this? Should I add red dates? Bro Niu: Yes, those with a cold, weak spleen and stomach can take this soup — just add a few slices of ginger and some red dates.
- Q (anonymous): Can this be cooked without glehnia? Any difference, or a substitute? Bro Niu: Leaving out the glehnia and using 3 qian of Solomon’s seal (yu zhu) instead also helps.
- Q (Mrs. Ng): My daughter’s nose and airways seem sensitive; she improved on this cordyceps-flower-glehnia soup. How often can she drink it, and should I keep using it for a daytime cough after eating or running? Bro Niu: You can also use Chinese yam, poria, Solomon’s seal and lily bulb (5 qian each) with figs and a little snow fungus simmered in lean pork soup — 8 bowls of water down to 4–5; the whole family can drink it, with two bowls a day for the child. It supports the spleen, eases restlessness and moistens dryness.
Published November 30, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
