Soups
Fo-ti, Polygonatum, Goji & Black Bean Soup
Traditionally supports the liver and kidneys and nourishes the blood for healthy hair
Why people make this soup
Plenty of middle-aged friends fret over greying and thinning hair. Chinese tradition has a lovely saying — “the hair is the surplus of the blood” — and beyond heredity, illness and stress, premature grey and heavy shedding are often linked to the liver and kidneys running low and the blood being thin. So the food-therapy approach leans on ingredients that support the liver and kidneys and replenish essence and blood. This soup does exactly that, and also suits people with a dull complexion and that tired, slightly warm, depleted feeling.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with premature grey hair, thinning hair, a dull complexion, or feeling depleted and tired; suitable for the whole family, young and old.
- People with phlegm-damp or an unresolved cold should avoid it for now.
- Those with high cholesterol should go easy on the peanuts and cashews. If you have no fo-ti, see Bro Niu’s tips for substitutes.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Prepared fo-ti (shou wu): Traditionally associated with supporting the liver and kidneys and nourishing blood — the classic herb for dark, healthy hair.
- Polygonatum (hai yu zhu): Traditionally moistening and nourishing.
- Black beans & goji (hei dou, gou qi zi): Long valued for supporting the kidneys and the blood, and associated with hair colour.
- Fox nuts, red kidney beans, peanuts, cashews, red dates: A nourishing mix of beans and nuts that gives the soup body and gentle, broad nourishment.
Ingredients (4 to 5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prepared fo-ti (shou wu) | ~15 g | Use processed kind; optional |
| Polygonatum (hai yu zhu) | ~19 g | |
| Black beans | ~38 g | |
| Goji berries | ~15 g | |
| Fox nuts (qian shi) | ~30 g | |
| Red kidney beans | ~30 g | |
| Peanuts | ~30 g | Go easy if high cholesterol |
| Cashews | ~30 g | Go easy if high cholesterol |
| Red dates | 6 | |
| Water | 8 bowls | Reduced to 4–5 |
Method
- Soak and rinse all the ingredients.
- Put everything into a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 3 hours until reduced to 4 to 5 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This works as both a meat and a vegetarian soup — for vegetarian, add fresh Chinese yam or lotus root; or add pork shin or chicken. Suitable for the whole family. But people with phlegm-damp or an unresolved cold should not take it. If you have no fo-ti, use black sesame instead, or add some black mulberries — both are associated with darker hair.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (IT): I’m overseas and can’t get fo-ti — will this soup still help reduce grey hair without it? Bro Niu: With no fo-ti, switch to black sesame, or add some black mulberries — both help support darker hair.
- Q (scy): What can I use to replace the peanuts? Bro Niu: You can use walnuts or black sesame.
- Q (Thomas): Can I leave out the fo-ti? Can I use black-skinned (silkie) chicken? Bro Niu: Yes, you can leave out the fo-ti and use silkie chicken.
Published May 3, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
