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Codonopsis, Lamb and Longan Soup

Traditionally used to warm the stomach, dispel cold and nourish qi and blood

In short: Codonopsis, Lamb and Longan Soup is a soup that Traditionally used to warm the stomach, dispel cold and nourish qi and blood. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, digestive wellness, women's wellness. Total time about 135 min. Key ingredients: codonopsis root, longan flesh, red dates, ginger.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
15 min
Cook
120 min
Total
135 min
Makes
1.2 L
Respiratory & Lung WellnessDigestive WellnessWomen's WellnessEnergy & VitalityBlood NourishmentEveryday Balance
Codonopsis, Lamb and Longan Soup

Why people make this soup

Lamb is one of those foods that Western cooking tends to associate with strong flavours and special occasions, but in Chinese food-therapy tradition it has long been valued as a cold-weather tonic — warming, nourishing and deeply satisfying. This is a soup Nourilo reaches for in autumn and winter, particularly for those who feel perpetually cold, run pale, or lack stamina. The combination of fresh lamb, codonopsis (a gentler cousin of ginseng that is far more affordable), longan flesh and red dates creates a broth that is both heartier than a regular bone broth and more specifically targeted at restoring warmth and vitality.

Codonopsis is widely available in Chinese herb shops and some health food stores outside Asia. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavour and blends seamlessly into meat-based soups.

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.

  • Red dates · Meta-analysis, 483 participants · 2025
    Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies
  • Ginger · Meta-analysis, 23 studies · 2022
    Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger 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.

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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