Soups
Cordyceps Flower, Lingzhi and Almond Soup
Traditionally associated with supporting the lungs and easing recurrent cough and wheeze
Why people make this soup
Cordyceps flower contains cordyceps polysaccharides traditionally associated with building constitution and supporting the lungs. Simmered with tiger-milk lingzhi, lily bulb and apricot kernels, it makes a soup many families turn to in order to help keep recurrent coughs and wheeze at bay.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Helpful for children with weak lungs and lingering cough; can be taken regularly
- Best NOT taken while an acute cold is still present (let the cold clear first)
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower (chong cao hua): traditionally said to strengthen the body and support lung qi.
- Tiger-milk lingzhi (hu ru ling zhi): a prized mushroom traditionally linked with the lungs and breathing.
- Lily bulb (bai he): traditionally moistens and soothes the lungs.
- Apricot kernels (nan bei xing): traditionally associated with easing cough and clearing phlegm.
- Goji and red dates: gentle tonics that round out the flavour and nourish.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower (chong cao hua) | 5 qian (~19 g) | Soak and rinse |
| Tiger-milk lingzhi (hu ru ling zhi) | 3 qian (~11 g) | |
| Dried lily bulb (bai he) | 1 tael (~38 g) | |
| Apricot kernels (nan bei xing) | 1 tael (~38 g) | Sweet and bitter mix |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 4 qian (~15 g) | |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 8 | Pitted |
| Lean pork or partridge | ~225 g / 1 bird | Blanch first |
Method
- Blanch the lean pork (or partridge) to clean it. Soak and rinse all the other ingredients.
- Put everything in a pot with 6 bowls of water.
- Simmer for about 2 hours, reducing to about 4 bowls. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is helpful for children with weak lungs and a lingering cough and can be taken regularly — but do not take it while an acute cold is still present; let the cold clear first.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Sophie’s mum): When I wash the cordyceps flower the water turns orange, like it is fading colour — is that normal? Bro Niu: That is the cordyceps flower’s own colour; it does lose a little colour, which is normal.
- Q (Mr Lam): Does a soup of dragon’s-tongue leaf, shi huang pi, apricot kernels, chestnut, lean pork, tangerine peel and honey dates stop cough and sore throat? Is it for both cold-type and heat-type cough? Bro Niu: Dragon’s-tongue-leaf and shi huang pi soup helps resolve phlegm and ease cough, and helps a sore throat. Both cold and heat cough can drink it — for cold cough add 2 apples and a radish; for heat cough add 2 snow pears.
- Q (Little Sun’s mum): Where can I buy tiger-milk lingzhi, and how much do I use? Bro Niu: It is available at Chinese herb shops and larger dried-goods stores; buy a whole piece and have it sliced, or buy sliced. One tael is 10 qian; buy a tael and split it into about 3 uses, so about 3 qian-plus each time. For food therapy, amounts need not be exact.
Published April 11, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
