Soups
Dragon Tongue Leaf Apple Soup
traditionally supports lung moisture and helps clear phlegm
Why people make this soup
Fresh dragon tongue leaf is a mild, easy-to-find herb available at Chinese or Asian grocers and online. Its gentle nature makes it well-suited for people dealing with lung-heat coughs, excess phlegm, dry mouth, or sluggish digestion. Unlike many herbal preparations, it has a light, pleasant flavour — not heavy or medicinal. Paired with sweet apple and carrot, it becomes a nourishing everyday soup that the whole household can enjoy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits most people, including children and pregnant women
- Particularly helpful when a child has been coughing after a cold and you cannot tell whether it is a “heat” cough or a “cold” cough — as long as the throat appears mildly red or uncomfortable, this soup is considered appropriate
- No known significant contraindications for this recipe at the stated amounts
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dragon tongue leaf (long li ye): Traditionally considered neutral in nature and mildly sweet. Associated with clearing lung heat, reducing phlegm, and soothing the throat. Pharmacological research cited in the source notes its extract may inhibit Staphylococcus aureus and haemolytic streptococcus.
- Apple (ping guo): Sweet, moistening, associated with helping the lungs and supporting digestion. Cooked apple adds a natural gentle sweetness.
- Carrot (hong luo bo): Nourishing and mildly warming; in traditional usage associated with supporting the lungs and benefiting eyesight.
- Mixed apricot kernels (nan bei xing): A classic pairing for lung-focused soups. Northern bitter apricot (bei xing) is traditionally used to stop coughing and disperse phlegm; southern sweet apricot (nan xing) moistens the lungs.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh dragon tongue leaf | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse well; available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online |
| Apple | 2 | Peel, remove core, cut into chunks |
| Carrot | 1 | Peel, cut into chunks |
| Mixed apricot kernels (nan bei xing) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse |
| Lean pork | ~100–150 g | Blanch briefly before adding |
| Water | 8 bowls (~1.6 L) | — |
Method
- Rinse the dragon tongue leaf thoroughly under running water.
- Peel the apple and carrot; cut into chunks. Core the apple.
- Slice the lean pork and blanch in boiling water for 1–2 minutes; drain.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium simmer.
- Cook for about 30 minutes until the liquid reduces to roughly 4 bowls.
- Season lightly with salt if desired; serve warm.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup has a light, mild flavour and is not heavily medicinal — young children take to it easily. It is suitable for the whole family, including pregnant women. For children coughing after a cold where it is unclear whether the cause is wind-cold or wind-heat, the key sign to look for is mild throat redness or irritation. If that is present, this soup fits the situation well. You can also add 8–10 xin yi hua (magnolia flower buds) toward the end of cooking (simmer for just 5 minutes) if nasal congestion or runny nose is also a concern.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (JK): I’ve had a cough for five days with white phlegm, a blocked nose, and thick sticky mucus — sometimes with a little blood from dryness. I’ve been on Western medicine and feel exhausted. Is this soup suitable? What if I add xin yi hua? Bro Niu: After a cold that has lingered a few days, patience is needed. You can use this soup and add 8–10 xin yi hua flowers, adding them in the last 5 minutes of cooking. For the thick, dry mucus causing the bleeding, try applying a little Vaseline inside the nostrils to keep things moist.
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Q (fanny50631): Can I use dried loquat leaf and dried dragon tongue leaf instead of fresh? How much of each, and how long to cook? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use dried versions — use about 5 qian (roughly 19 g) of each. Simmer for 45 minutes; that is fine.
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Q (Daisy): My 18-month-old had heat-related illness followed by a wind-heat cold. The doctor says the cough is due to postnasal drip. There is still a lot of phlegm and runny nose. Is this soup suitable? Bro Niu: For the phlegm, try perilla seed and radish seed (su zi and lai fu zi), 3 qian each, placed in a herb bag and simmered into a thin rice porridge for the baby. For the heavy nasal discharge, steep 6 xin yi hua in hot water, and the baby can drink it with a little honey for 3 consecutive servings.
Published June 26, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
