Soups
Green Papaya, Snow Fungus, Lily Bulb and Almond Soup
Traditionally used to moisten the lungs and soothe the stomach
Why people make this soup
Autumn air turns dry, and that is when throats get scratchy and old stomach and lung complaints tend to flare. Bro Niu likes this gentle pot because it does double duty: it moistens a parched chest while it soothes and supports the stomach lining. It is clear, faintly sweet, and pleasant enough that the whole family will happily finish a bowl.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for anyone feeling the dryness of autumn — dry throat, dry cough, a sensitive stomach.
- Especially comforting for those who run warm and dry (a dry mouth and tongue).
- Pregnant women should not drink papaya soup.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green papaya (qing mu gua): traditionally valued to soften and nourish the skin and ease the chest.
- Snow fungus (xue er): a classic moistening food, associated with a comforted, lubricated throat and lungs.
- Lily bulb (bai he): traditionally used to calm and moisten a dry chest.
- Apricot kernels (nan bei xing): long paired with lung-moistening soups to support a smooth, settled cough.
- Carrot and pork shin: round out the broth and make it gently sweet and nourishing.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green papaya | 1 | peeled, seeded, cut in chunks |
| Snow fungus | ~11 g | soaked soft, tough base removed |
| Dried lily bulb | ~38 g | rinsed |
| Apricot kernels (sweet + bitter) | ~38 g | rinsed; culinary grade |
| Carrot | 1 | peeled, chunked |
| Pork shin | 1 piece | blanched |
Method
- Peel and seed the green papaya; cut into chunks.
- Soak the snow fungus until soft and trim off the hard base.
- Rinse the lily bulb and apricot kernels; peel and chunk the carrot.
- Cut the pork shin into pieces and blanch in boiling water.
- Add everything to 8 bowls of water, bring to a boil, then simmer about 1.5 hours down to 4 bowls. Eat the soup with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is clear and tasty, fine for young and old, and taken regularly it is traditionally associated with brighter, softer skin. It suits warm-dry types with a parched mouth especially well. Remember: pregnant women should not drink papaya soup.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): My child had a cough and sore throat, is nearly better but still hoarse. Can I make papaya, tai zi shen, lily bulb and red date water, and how long do I boil it? Bro Niu: Yes, you can make that for the child. Adding a quarter of a luo han guo helps the voice come back faster. Take it for 2 to 3 servings.
- Q (Bao): I have a prolapsed, atrophic erosive gastritis; my lower-left belly rumbles and bloats and I keep passing gas. What soup or tea should I make? Bro Niu: This green-papaya soup, twice a week, is good for gastritis. Separately, bei qi 5 qian, sheng ma 3 qian, one dried tangerine peel and 5 red dates in a lean-pork soup can help with the prolapse — twice a week. (If bei qi makes you feel heaty, swap it for shi hu 3 qian and dang shen 3 qian.)
- Q (Kaka): My 4.5-year-old has coughed nightly for about two months — sometimes dry, sometimes with phlegm — but never in the morning. Any soup to help? Bro Niu: Try fresh long lei ye ~38 g, 1–2 cored apples, apricot kernels ~38 g, 3 figs and a little rock sugar simmered half an hour. It helps moisten the lungs and settle a cough; the whole family can drink it.
Published October 18, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
