Soups
Dang Shen, Astragalus and Huang Jing Lean-Pork Soup
Traditionally used to support the spleen, boost qi and build muscle strength
Why people make this soup
Some people whose system is running hot feel their arms and legs go soft and weak, can’t lift heavy things, lose their appetite, grow thinner and feel worn out. In traditional thinking this points to a shortage of spleen qi, calling for gentle, qi-supporting food therapy. This dang shen, astragalus and huang jing lean-pork soup is traditionally used to support the spleen, boost qi and build strength — helpful for the kind of muscle weakness that comes with a weak spleen qi.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for those who feel weak, easily tired and short on appetite; the whole family can enjoy it as it is mild and not strongly herbal.
- People managing a thyroid or other medical condition should keep to their doctor’s care alongside.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dang shen (codonopsis): traditionally supports the spleen and boosts qi without being overly drying.
- Astragalus (bei qi): traditionally supports qi and is often paired with dang shen.
- Huang jing (Polygonatum): traditionally supports qi so the tonics nourish without feeling stagnant.
- Red dates (hong zao): support the spleen and nourish the blood.
- Tangerine peel (chen pi): moves qi and lightens the soup.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dang shen | 1 liang (~37 g) | Washed |
| Astragalus (bei qi) | 1 liang (~37 g) | Washed |
| Huang jing | 5 qian (~19 g) | Washed |
| Red dates | 10 | — |
| Tangerine peel | 2 qian (~7 g) | — |
| Lean pork | 6 liang (~225 g) | Blanched |
Method
- Blanch the lean pork; wash the remaining ingredients.
- Put everything into a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer until reduced to about 4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Using dang shen and astragalus together with huang jing supports qi without that stagnant, stuck feeling. This soup is very nourishing yet the herbal taste is mild, so the whole family can drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (so): I have an overactive thyroid and have been making your food-therapy soup, which has helped — thank you. But I get nosebleeds easily and have a small swelling in my neck. Any soup suggestions? Bro Niu: For easy nosebleeds, try fresh imperata root (1 bunch), 3 fresh lotus-root nodes, one cored pear and 6 water chestnuts in 5 bowls of water boiled down to 2, taken for 3 doses; it helps clear heat, cool the blood and soften swellings.
- Q (yan yan): I’ve taken Western medicine and my blood test shows the thyroid is controlled for now, but the drugs affect my liver function. Any soups? I’m vegetarian. Bro Niu: You can use Chinese-licorice-vine (ji gu cao, 3 liang), soybeans (1 liang) and 6 red dates in 6 bowls of water boiled to 3. Or mian yin chen (5 qian) with 2 honey dates in 5 bowls boiled to 2. Both help clear the liver.
- Q (yan yan): If I leave out the meat, what can I add? I’m vegetarian. Bro Niu: Without meat, adding chestnuts or red kidney beans is good, or just add a carrot.
Published February 27, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
