Soups
Sha Shen, Yu Zhu and Three-Fruit Soup
Traditionally used to moisten the lungs and ease a dry, lingering cough
Why people make this soup
There is an old saying Bro Niu likes: “When a patient walks in coughing, even the doctor frowns.” A cough looks like a small thing, but it can come from many sources — colds, post-nasal drip, chronic lung conditions, and very often the stubborn cough that lingers for weeks after COVID. This naturally sweet soup is Bro Niu’s gentle pick for a dry throat and a cough that just will not settle.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with a dry, lingering cough, dry throat after illness, or thirst and irritability
- Those recovering from long COVID; the sweet taste means even children who dislike bitter medicine accept it
- Also enjoyed by well people simply for its skin-nourishing, moistening quality
- Caution: if a cough comes with fever or does not improve, please see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Northern adenophora root (bei sha shen): traditionally used to nourish yin, moisten the lungs and generate fluids.
- Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu): traditionally supports the stomach, generates saliva and eases dryness; ordinary yu zhu can be substituted.
- Apricot kernels (nan bei xing): traditionally used to moisten the lungs and calm a cough.
- Apple, snow pear and fig: add natural sweetness and moisture, traditionally said to clear heat and ease irritability.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northern adenophora root | ~19 g | Soak and rinse |
| Solomon’s seal | ~19 g | Or ordinary yu zhu |
| Apricot kernels (sweet & bitter) | ~38 g | Soak and rinse |
| Apples | 2 | Washed, cored, with skin |
| Snow pears | 2 | Washed, cored, with skin |
| Figs | 4–5 | Halved |
Method
- Soak and rinse the adenophora root, Solomon’s seal and apricot kernels.
- Wash the apples and pears with their skin on, core them and cut into chunks. Halve the figs.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer for about 1.5 hours until reduced to 4 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is clear and sweet. It suits long-COVID recovery well, and children who fear bitter medicine take it happily. You can swap hai yu zhu for ordinary yu zhu. Even healthy people benefit — it has a skin-nourishing, complexion-brightening quality.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): My 9-year-old has had a dry cough for two weeks with occasional runny nose; the doctor’s visit did not help. Any food therapy? Bro Niu: You can make this very sha shen, yu zhu and three-fruit soup and give it for 3 doses. If there is a lot of runny nose, steep 8 magnolia flowers (xin yi hua) as a tea, with a little honey to improve the taste.
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Q (En): My husband and I just recovered from COVID — fever, runny nose and cough have gone, but the cough remains, with some white phlegm, and my sleep is poor. What soup can help? Bro Niu: You can use ban xia ~19 g, fu ling ~19 g, bai zhu ~19 g, 2–3 pieces of aged tangerine peel and gan cao ~8 g; simmer 7 bowls of water for 1 hour to 4 bowls. Each of you takes 2 bowls a day for 2 days to help clear the phlegm.
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Q (reader): Can I use tai zi shen (pseudostellaria) instead of sha shen? And for a phlegmy cough? Bro Niu: Yes, tai zi shen can replace sha shen. But if there is fever, neither of these two should be used.
Published March 29, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
