Purple Chinese Yam, Chestnut and Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

Purple Chinese yam is less common than the standard white variety, but noticeably different in both colour and nutritional profile. The vivid purple flesh comes from anthocyanins (the same family of antioxidant pigments found in blueberries and red cabbage), and the yam contains a compound called diosgenin — a natural plant sterol that researchers have noted may support the body’s own sex-hormone synthesis pathways. In Chinese food therapy, purple yam has long been associated with supporting ovarian function, uterine health, and lactation, as well as benefiting men’s reproductive health. This soup is not a medical fertility treatment, but it is a genuinely nourishing family meal with a solid traditional reputation.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Well-suited to: couples wanting to eat supportively while trying to conceive; women wanting to nourish reproductive health generally; the whole family including children; pregnant women (see note on dates below)
• Cautions: those with pronounced digestive dampness (heavy tongue coating, bloating) and those who are prone to constipation should not have this soup — both yam and chestnut are starchy and can worsen these conditions. If you cannot find purple yam, substitute regular fresh white Chinese yam (fresh huai shan); the flavour and texture are very similar.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Purple Chinese yam (zi huai shan): High in protein and anthocyanins (antioxidant pigments); contains diosgenin, a plant compound associated in traditional and modern research with supporting hormone synthesis. Traditionally linked to supporting egg development, breast and uterine health, and male reproductive vitality.
• Chestnuts (li zi): Considered in Chinese food practice to tonify the kidney and strengthen the bones and tendons; they also add a naturally sweet, starchy body to the broth.
• Carrot: Provides beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), adds sweetness, and is considered to nourish blood.
• Red dates (hong zao): A gentle qi and blood tonic; adds natural sweetness and rounds out the flavour. If you are concerned about the warming nature of red dates, substitute dried figs or dried southern dates (nan zao), which are less warming.
• Chicken (skin removed): A warming, qi-building protein base. Removing the skin reduces fat and is the standard approach for medicinal soups in Cantonese cooking.

Ingredients (4–5 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Purple Chinese yam	150 g	Peel and cut into chunks; handle carefully (may cause mild skin tingling — wear gloves)
Fresh chestnuts	115 g	Drop into boiling water briefly to help remove the inner skin
Carrot	1 medium	Peel and cut into chunks
Fresh ginger	3 slices
Red dates, pitted	6 pieces	Pit the dates
Chicken	Half a bird	Remove skin, chop into pieces, blanch in boiling water first
Water	8 bowls (approx. 1.6 L)

Method

1. Peel the purple yam and cut into chunks (wearing kitchen gloves is advisable as the raw yam can cause mild skin tingling).
2. Drop chestnuts into boiling water briefly to loosen and remove the skins.
3. Peel and cut the carrot.
4. Pit the red dates.
5. Remove the skin from the chicken, chop into pieces, and blanch in boiling water for a few minutes. Remove and rinse.
6. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 1.5 hours.
8. Serve the soup with the solid ingredients.

Bro Niu’s tips

This soup has a clean, lightly sweet fragrance and is suitable for the whole family including children and elderly. If you cannot find purple yam, regular fresh white Chinese yam (fresh huai shan) works just as well. If you prefer not to use red dates (which some find too warming), substitute dried figs (high in calcium and mildly laxative) or southern dates (nan zao), which strengthen the spleen without being warm. Those with digestive dampness or constipation should avoid this soup.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (SEE): Can pregnant women have this soup? Can I substitute something for red dates if I find them too heating? Bro Niu: Yes, pregnant women can have this soup. If you find red dates too warming, use dried figs or southern dates (nan zao) as a substitute — both are gentle and beneficial. Figs are particularly good as they contain more calcium and support bowel regularity.

• Q (Rachel): I had chocolate cyst surgery some years ago and now have another small one forming, plus a uterine fibroid. I am about to try intrauterine insemination. What soups suit me before and after the procedure? My constitution is cold hands and feet, cold womb, heat above and cold below. Bro Niu: For a “heat above, cold below” constitution, simmer 15 g astragalus root (bei qi), 10 g codonopsis (dang shen), 15 g longan, and 3 slices of ginger with pork shin or beef shin — lamb leg is even better for this pattern. One or two servings per week. This formula also suits men wanting to support their health while trying for a baby.

• Q (陈c9): I am in my forties, became pregnant through IVF, but am having spotting. Can I have winter melon mushroom soup? I love tomatoes — is one tomato per day safe? Bro Niu: For spotting during early pregnancy, try simmering 40 g mulberry mistletoe (sang ji sheng), 40 g lotus seeds, 6 red dates, and a little rock sugar in 5 bowls of water down to 2 bowls — this combination is traditionally used to support pregnancy stability. One ripe tomato per day is perfectly fine. Avoid rich warming tonics in early pregnancy; they are better suited to after delivery.

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Published July 3, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.