Soups
Sichuan Fritillaria and Partridge Soup
traditionally associated with dissolving phlegm, soothing cough and nourishing the lungs
In short: Sichuan Fritillaria and Partridge Soup is a soup that traditionally associated with dissolving phlegm, soothing cough and nourishing the lungs. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, everyday balance. Total time about 195 min. Key ingredients: figs.
Why people make this soup
Sichuan fritillaria (chuan bei mu) has been one of the most prized herbs in Cantonese respiratory food therapy for centuries — and its price reflects that. It is used for coughs ranging from acute bronchitis to the lingering phlegmy cough that drags on long after a cold has passed. Nourilo often recommends it to families with young children prone to chest congestion, and to older adults whose lungs are simply not as strong as they once were. Paired with partridge — a bird traditionally considered especially nourishing for the lungs and voice — along with figs for gentle sweetness and honey-roasted licorice to build energy and warm the centre, this soup does far more than just suppress a cough. It works on the underlying weakness that makes people cough repeatedly.
One important caution about buying fritillaria: because the genuine Sichuan variety is expensive, fakes are common. Authentic chuan bei mu bulbs always split into two distinct halves — that is their hallmark. Substitute products like tu bei mu or guang ci gu look whole and intact. When buying, pay attention to this detail.
What studies say about the key ingredients
Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.
- Honey
Compared with usual care, honey was associated with lower combined symptom scores, cough frequency and cough severity. In two pooled placebo-controlled studies, the difference in combined symptoms was not statistically significant.Limitation: Only two studies compared honey with placebo, with high heterogeneity (I2=91%); the review calls for higher-quality placebo-controlled trials.PubMed 32817011 · 3 more honey studies - Licorice root
Compared with placebo plus the same low-calorie diet, licorice extract was associated with greater improvements in body weight, BMI, body fat, lipid profile, fasting glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR at 8 weeks.Limitation: Small sample, short 8-week duration, and an extract dose that is not comparable to licorice eaten as food; the authors call for confirmatory research.PubMed 39080737 · 3 more licorice root studies
From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.
Safety first — read before you cook
This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
- take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
- have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.
Ingredient notes for this recipe
- Licorice root: Contains glycyrrhizin. Large amounts or long-term use have been linked to raised blood pressure and irregular heartbeat, and even smaller amounts have caused problems in people with high blood pressure, heart or kidney conditions, or a high-salt diet. Large amounts are unsafe in pregnancy, and it can interact with corticosteroids. Source: NIH NCCIH — Licorice Root
- Honey: Never give honey to babies under 1 year old — it can cause infant botulism, a very serious illness. Source: NHS — Foods to avoid giving babies
Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes
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