Soups
Glehnia, Sea Polygonatum, Apple, Pear and Fig Soup
traditionally associated with clearing lung heat, moistening dryness, and soothing the respiratory tract
Why people make this soup
When the air turns dry and respiratory illnesses start going around, Bro Niu turns to this soup as one of his reliable go-to combinations for the whole family. What makes it particularly appealing is that it tastes genuinely pleasant — the natural sweetness of apple, Asian pear, and figs means no sugar is needed, and children rarely refuse it. From a food-therapy perspective, the combination of glehnia root and sea polygonatum provides the classic yin-nourishing and heat-clearing base, while the three fruits each contribute their own well-researched properties. Research suggests that eating apples regularly is associated with better lung function and respiratory health — likely due to the quercetin and other antioxidants they contain. Asian pears have long been used in Chinese food culture to moisten and cool the lungs. Figs bring gentle anti-inflammatory and throat-soothing qualities.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for the whole family during dry weather and respiratory illness season.
- Particularly helpful for those with a tendency toward dry coughs, scratchy throats, or dryness-related conditions.
- Diabetics can substitute the figs for dried dates (jujubes) to reduce sugar content, as Bro Niu recommends.
- People with cold-type coughs (productive, watery phlegm, cold sensation) should use a different approach — this soup is best suited to dry or heat-type respiratory patterns.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Glehnia root (sha shen): A classic lung-nourishing herb in Chinese food therapy, associated with clearing heat from the lungs, nourishing yin (the body’s cooling and moistening energy), stopping cough, and dissolving phlegm.
- Sea polygonatum (hai yu zhu): A variant of polygonatum (huang jing) considered to have a mild, clean taste with less sulphur processing than regular polygonatum. Associated with clearing heat, nourishing yin in the lungs and stomach, and tonifying qi.
- Apple (ping guo): Beyond their flavour, apples provide quercetin and other flavonoid antioxidants associated with protecting lung tissue from pollution and oxidative stress.
- Asian pear (xue li): A well-loved fruit in Chinese food culture for its moistening and lung-clearing properties, and for generating fluids to relieve thirst.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Contain citric acid, malic acid, and quinic acid, associated with anti-inflammatory activity and soothing swollen or irritated throats. Deeper-coloured (purple/dark) figs contain additional anthocyanins.
Ingredients (~4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glehnia root (sha shen) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Sea polygonatum (hai yu zhu) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse; regular polygonatum (yu zhu) also works |
| Apple | 1 | Soak briefly in hot water to loosen wax; rinse, core, and chunk |
| Asian pear | 2 | Same as apple; core and chunk |
| Dried figs | 4 pieces | Rinse; halve |
| Water | 7 bowls (~1.7 L) |
Method
- Soak and rinse the glehnia root and polygonatum.
- Soak the apples and pears briefly in hot water to help remove any surface wax, then rinse with cold water, remove cores, and cut into chunks. Leave the skin on.
- Rinse the figs and halve them.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 7 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour until the liquid reduces to approximately 4 bowls.
- Serve and drink — no need to strain unless preferred.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup naturally builds your resistance during flu season and suits the whole family as a preventive brew. The sea polygonatum (hai yu zhu) pictured is a type of huang jing that Bro Niu particularly likes for its cleaner taste and lighter processing. If you cannot find it, a regular polygonatum (yu zhu) that is pale, plump, and without any sour smell makes an excellent substitute. If you want to use dried pear instead of fresh, use about 1 liang (~37 g) and remember to remove the core from the dried slices too.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (mandy): Can I make this for a child who has just had a vaccination, and for myself — I have a dry throat? Bro Niu: This soup is ideal after vaccinations — it is nourishing without being heavy, has a mild taste that children accept easily, and helps with dryness.
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Q (Amy): Can people with diabetes drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, those with diabetes can drink this soup. It is best to replace the figs with dried jujube dates (椰枣), which are more suitable for blood sugar management.
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Q (m): Can I cook this soup tonight before a hot-pot dinner, to help clear heat afterwards? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is a good one to make before a hot-pot meal — it helps nourish yin and bring down internal heat.
Published January 7, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
