Soups
Lion's Mane, Astragalus and Chinese Yam Lean Pork Soup
traditionally used to support digestion, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and nourish qi
In short: Lion's Mane, Astragalus and Chinese Yam Lean Pork Soup is a soup that traditionally used to support digestion, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and nourish qi. It is most often made for digestive wellness, energy & vitality, everyday balance. Total time about 140 min. Key ingredients: astragalus root, chinese yam, red dates, lean pork.
Why people make this soup
Lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has been eaten in China for centuries and is one of the few culinary mushrooms that has attracted genuine modern scientific interest for its potential effects on the gastrointestinal lining. Traditional Chinese food therapy describes it as benefiting the five organs, aiding digestion, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. Some modern studies suggest that lion’s mane may support the repair of stomach and intestinal mucosa, making it of interest to people dealing with gastric ulcers, nervous exhaustion, or recovering from surgery.
Nourilo combines it here with astragalus (bei qi), a root well known in Chinese herbal tradition for supporting defensive qi and accelerating wound healing, and Chinese yam (huai shan), a gentle, spleen-strengthening ingredient that most people tolerate very well. Together they make a mild, slightly earthy broth that is suitable for the whole family.
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.
- Astragalus root
TA-65 was associated with longer leukocyte telomeres compared with controls, but the meta-analysis found no significant improvement in frailty measures or inflammatory markers (CRP/IL-6). Mild gastrointestinal effects were reported.Limitation: Industry-funded trials reported larger effects than others, and the compound is a purified extract at doses not comparable to eating Astragalus root.PubMed 41286474 · 3 more astragalus root studies - Red dates
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
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.
Ingredient notes for this recipe
- Astragalus: May interact with medicines that suppress the immune system. A thorough safety evaluation has not been done, and little is known about its safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Source: NIH NCCIH — Astragalus
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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