Soups
Black Bean, Tribulus, Goji & Chrysanthemum Pork Liver Soup
traditionally associated with soothing eye fatigue and supporting clear vision
Why people make this soup
Many of us spend hours in front of screens every day, and the eyes pay the price — redness, wateriness, that burning sensation late in the afternoon. In traditional Chinese food therapy, prolonged eye strain is often linked to the liver, which is said to “open to the eyes.” When the liver is overworked or when its fire flares — from stress, too little sleep, or simply staring at a screen all day — the eyes feel it first. This soup combines a little-known but very useful herb, tribulus fruit (bai ji li), with the classic pairing of goji and chrysanthemum to calm that liver fire and help the eyes feel more rested.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited for adults who spend long hours on screens, people prone to red or watery eyes, and children with eye sensitivity or itching
- Pregnant women should consult a practitioner before using tribulus fruit
- Those with active fever or acute infection should wait until they recover before taking this soup
- If you have concerns about eating pork liver due to cholesterol, you may substitute carrot (see tips below)
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- White tribulus fruit (bai ji li): Traditionally used to calm the liver, dispel wind, and brighten the eyes; associated with relieving red, watery, itchy eyes and dizziness from liver-yang rising
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): One of the best-known liver and kidney tonics in Chinese tradition; associated with nourishing the eyes and sustaining clear vision
- White chrysanthemum (bai ju hua): A classic cooling herb for the eyes; traditionally paired with goji to clear heat and soothe irritation
- Black soybeans (hei dou): Rich in plant-based protein and antioxidants; in food therapy, associated with strengthening the kidneys and liver and dispelling wind
- Pork liver (zhu gan): Traditional “like nourishes like” reasoning — liver nourishes liver; also a good source of vitamin A, which supports eye health
Ingredients (2–3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White tribulus fruit (bai ji li) | 9 g | Available at Chinese herbal shops |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 12 g | Rinse briefly before using |
| White chrysanthemum flowers (bai ju hua) | 9 g | Added in the last 5 minutes only |
| Black soybeans (hei dou) | 37 g | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Pork liver (zhu gan) | 225 g | Slice thinly; rinse well |
| Water | ~5 cups | Adjust to preference |
Method
- Rinse and briefly soak the goji berries, tribulus fruit, and black soybeans. Drain.
- Wash the pork liver thoroughly, then slice it into thin pieces.
- Bring water to a boil in a pot. Add the pork liver, goji berries, tribulus fruit, and black soybeans.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours.
- In the final 5 minutes, add the chrysanthemum flowers. Do not cook the chrysanthemum too long — brief steeping preserves its fragrant compounds.
- Serve warm; enjoy both the soup and the solid ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Tribulus fruit (bai ji li) is good for more than just eye complaints — it also has a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect, so this soup is especially suitable for people with slightly elevated blood pressure, as well as children with eye allergies or itching. If you prefer to skip pork liver, swap it for one carrot — just add a tiny drizzle of cooking oil when serving to help your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamin A from the carrot.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Avari): My lower eyelid has been twitching non-stop for over a month. Is there a food-therapy approach? Bro Niu: Twitching eyelids can be related to stress, fatigue, and overloaded nerves. Avoid strong tea, coffee, and alcohol, and try to unwind. You can make a tea with mulberry leaf (sang ye), chrysanthemum, tribulus fruit, and uncaria stem (gou teng), 9 g each, simmered in 4 cups of water down to 2 cups, taken throughout the day. The spent herbs can be wrapped in a warm cloth and placed gently over the eyes. Also try to eat more magnesium-rich foods — bananas, avocado, dark leafy greens, salmon. If there is no improvement after a few days, please see a specialist.
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Q (reader, 2017): I have astigmatism and myopia. What can I eat to improve my eyesight? Bro Niu: You can try a soup made with golden cicada flower (jin chan hua, 12 g), rui ren flesh (rui ren rou, 9 g), and goji berries (9 g), cooked with one carrot and some lean pork. This soup is considered beneficial for all kinds of vision concerns. Aim for about twice a week.
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Q (Kina): Does pork liver have to be used? Can I substitute lean pork, or leave meat out altogether? Bro Niu: You can replace pork liver with one carrot. If you leave out meat entirely that is fine too, but do add a little oil so your body can absorb the fat-soluble vitamin A.
Published November 9, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
