Soups
Crown Daisy and Tangerine Peel Soup
Traditionally resolves phlegm, eases a cough and harmonises the stomach
Why people make this soup
Crown daisy (tong hao) is a winter green many people love — tossed into a lamb-belly hotpot, it drinks up the savoury broth. It’s also warming on the stomach, which makes it kind to those who can’t take cold, raw vegetables. As a member of the chrysanthemum family, it’s used in food therapy too: traditionally said to harmonise the stomach and ease a cough. This simple soup of crown daisy and tangerine peel is a gentle bowl traditionally given to children with a phlegmy cough or a lingering cough after a cold.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Children with a phlegmy cough or a cough after a cold; also traditionally said to benefit adults with high blood pressure
- Crown daisy is warming, so it suits a child with a “cold” constitution (likes warm drinks, cold hands and feet, pale complexion)
- For a child who is yin-deficient and heaty (prone to mouth ulcers, warm palms), leave out the ginger if you add any — use a few stalks of spring-onion white instead
- If the cough lingers or phlegm turns yellow-green, please see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Crown daisy (tong hao): traditionally warming to the stomach, said to harmonise the stomach and resolve phlegm to ease a cough.
- Aged tangerine peel (chen pi): traditionally moves qi and resolves phlegm.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crown daisy (tong hao) | ~300 g | Washed |
| Aged tangerine peel (chen pi) | ~7 g | Soaked soft |
Method
- Soak the tangerine peel soft; wash the crown daisy.
- Simmer the tangerine peel in 3 bowls of water for 15 minutes.
- Add the crown daisy and cook 5 minutes. Drink the soup and eat the greens.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is also traditionally said to help lower blood pressure, so it can benefit adults with high blood pressure too. Some children dislike the distinctive taste of crown daisy — choy sum or mustard greens (also warming) are alternatives.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Amy): How can I tell if my child has a “cold” or “hot” constitution? He coughs morning and night but with little phlegm. Bro Niu: A child who likes warm/hot drinks, gets cold hands and feet, has a pale complexion, and pale, frequent urine tends toward a “cold” constitution. For a morning-and-night cough, this crown daisy and tangerine peel soup is suitable.
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Q (Catherine): I’m not sure if my son is cold or hot type — is it okay to add 3 slices of ginger? I think he’s yin-deficient and heaty, prone to mouth ulcers, with warm palms. Bro Niu: If he’s yin-deficient and heaty, don’t add ginger — a few stalks of spring-onion white are fine instead.
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Q (Ling): What other moistening food therapies are there? My son won’t take medicine, so I have to work through food. Bro Niu: Snow fungus, papaya and almond sweet soup is very moistening. Or a soup of green-and-white cabbage, carrot, honey dates and pork shin also has a moistening effect.
Published October 26, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
