Soups
Five-Seeds Soup
Traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys and strengthen the lower back
Why people make this soup
Some new mothers find that after childbirth they get lower-back aches, bone soreness, frequent night urination, or a dull complexion — what tradition describes as liver-and-kidney depletion. This “Five-Seeds Soup” uses five fruit-seeds and is traditionally valued to nourish the liver and kidneys, support the blood, and strengthen the lower back. Paired with pork kidney, the lower-back-supporting effect is considered stronger still.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- New mothers with lower-back aches, bone soreness, or frequent night urination after childbirth; also used as a soup for those concerned about bone health
- The pork kidney must have all its white membrane trimmed away and be soaked several times to remove the smell; if that feels fussy, lean pork (zhu zhan) can be used instead
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lotus seed (lian zi): traditionally nourishing and calming
- Goji berry (gou qi zi): associated with nourishing the liver and kidneys and brightening the eyes
- Mulberry (sang shen zi): traditionally nourishes the blood and the liver
- Raspberry (fu pen zi): available at Chinese or Asian grocers; traditionally used to support the kidneys and reduce excessive urination
- Glossy privet fruit (nv zhen zi): a common herb associated with nourishing the liver and kidneys and darkening the hair
- Pork kidney (zhu yao): traditionally paired to strengthen the lower back and kidneys
Ingredients (2–3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus seeds (lian zi) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Mulberries (sang shen zi) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Raspberry (fu pen zi) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Glossy privet fruit (nv zhen zi) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Pork kidney (zhu yao) | 1 | Trim white membrane, soak several times |
Method
- Soak and rinse the five seeds.
- Cut away the white membrane from the pork kidney and soak it several times to remove any off-smell.
- Put everything in a pot, add water, and simmer about 2 hours. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This is also a soup used to support bone health. The pork kidney must have all its white membrane removed and be soaked several times, or it will smell off. If handling the kidney is a hassle, lean pork (zhu zhan) makes a fine substitute.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Rainy): I just gave birth to twin girls and my lower back hurts so badly it takes me ten-odd minutes to get out of bed. I’m breastfeeding — can I drink this Five-Seeds Soup? Anything else I can take? Bro Niu: First try a soup of du zhong (eucommia) 38 g, ba ji (morinda) 38 g, niu xi 11 g, black beans 38 g and one pair of pork kidneys (membrane removed, rinsed clean), 8 bowls of water down to 4, split over two days, for 3 doses — it helps support the liver and kidneys, strengthen the sinews and bones, and ease back pain. Then move on to the Five-Seeds Soup for 3 doses.
- Q (yuan): I had a suction procedure after a 6-week pregnancy with no heartbeat; about a week on, my left lower back aches and I sleep poorly. Is this soup suitable for me? Bro Niu: This soup suits you. You can take it for 3 doses.
- Q (Hing): I just gave birth, not yet a full month, and have lower-back-bone pain. Can I drink this soup? Is it “heaty”? Bro Niu: This soup suits people with postpartum back pain well, and it’s not drying/heaty.
Published February 27, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
