Danshen, Spirit Poria and Longan Lean Pork Soup

Why people make this soup

Modern life is full of pressure — from work, relationships, financial worries, and the expectations placed on children. Even young children can suffer from anxiety when surrounded by adult stress. Nourilo’s message is simple: keep a positive attitude, do what is within your capacity, move your body regularly, and when the nervous system needs a little extra support, good food can help. This soup revolves around danshen (red sage root), a herb so highly regarded in traditional Chinese medicine that classical texts describe it as functionally equivalent to the famous “four-substance” blood tonic formula: “one herb, danshen, achieves the effect of four.” Together with spirit poria — a form of poria mushroom that grows around the root of a pine tree and is traditionally considered superior for calming the mind — longan flesh for nourishing blood and the heart, and red dates for their spirit-settling qualities, this is one of Nourilo’s go-to soups for anyone carrying too much weight on their shoulders.

Method

1. Soak the danshen root for at least 30 minutes; rinse well. Soak and rinse the spirit poria.
2. Pit the red dates. Rinse the longan flesh.
3. Slice the lean pork and blanch briefly in boiling water; drain.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 1.8–2.1 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.
6. Serve warm. The soup will have a mild herbal, slightly bitter flavour — this is normal.

Nourilo’s Tips

Spirit poria (you xin fu shen) is the variety of poria that grows wrapped around a pine root in the wild — the traditional view holds that this form is superior for calming the mind compared to ordinary poria. Since danshen has a slightly bitter taste, this soup will carry a mild medicinal note. This is normal and fine for both adults and children. However, pregnant women must not take it. If danshen is not available, you can substitute 38 g (38 g) of wheat grain (xiao mai mi) — it has similar calming properties. Danshen powder (1 teaspoon) can be used instead of the whole root if preferred, mixed into the hot soup at serving time.