Longan, Lotus Seed, Sour Jujube Seed, and Fresh Baby Abalone Soup

Why people make this soup

City living brings enormous pressures. When stress becomes chronic and the mind feels perpetually unsettled, it is common in Chinese food therapy to look for ways to nourish the heart and calm the spirit from within. Traditional Chinese medicine recognises a pattern called heart-spleen deficiency, in which prolonged worry, overthinking, or emotional strain depletes both the heart (which governs the spirit and sleep) and the spleen (which governs digestion and blood production). The result is a cluster of familiar modern complaints: persistent low mood, difficulty concentrating, anxious thoughts, poor sleep, forgetfulness, pallor, and fatigue. This soup was designed for exactly that pattern. Longan flesh, lotus seeds, and sour jujube seed are three of the most respected ingredients in Chinese food therapy for calming the mind and supporting restful sleep; the baby abalone adds delicate nourishment. Together the soup is pleasant to eat, and many families make it regularly as a stress-period tonic.