Soups
Four-Reds Soup (Adzuki, Peanut, Goji, Red Date)
Traditionally taken to nourish qi and blood and warm cold limbs
Why people make this soup
Cold hands and feet in autumn and winter are no surprise, but plenty of people — especially women during their period and frailer older folks — feel chilled even in high summer. A lot of that comes from heavily air-conditioned buses, malls and offices, so it helps to carry a light jacket when out. Bro Niu brews this “four reds” soup to nourish qi and blood for those who often feel cold in the limbs, and for women with irregular or scanty periods and a tendency to anaemia.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with low qi and blood who often feel cold in the hands and feet.
- Women with scanty or absent periods, and those prone to anaemia.
- Also a supportive food for people feeling depleted in qi and blood during cancer chemotherapy.
- Those with heavy menstrual flow should avoid it.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Adzuki / red beans (hong dou): Traditionally used to nourish the blood and support healthy fluid balance.
- Red-skinned peanuts (hong yi hua sheng): The red skins in particular are long associated with nourishing the blood.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Nourish the liver and kidney and support overall vitality.
- Red dates (hong zao): A classic warming food to support qi and nourish the blood.
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adzuki / red beans (hong dou) | ~1 liang (about 38 g) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Red-skinned peanuts (hong yi hua sheng) | ~1 liang (about 38 g) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~3 qian (about 11 g) | Rinsed |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 4 to 5 | Rinsed |
Method
- Soak and rinse all the ingredients.
- Add to a pot with 6 cups of water and simmer for 45 minutes until reduced to about 3 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is fragrant and gentle, good for those with anaemia, scanty periods or absent periods — but not for anyone with heavy menstrual flow. It is also a helpful supportive food for cancer patients who feel weak in qi and blood during chemotherapy.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Cheung): Can I use southern jujube (nan zao) instead of red dates? Bro Niu: Yes — southern jujube is actually more nourishing, though I personally prefer the flavour of red dates.
- Q (Xiaofumao): My elderly relative is weak after a coronary angioplasty — what can help with recovery? Bro Niu: Millet is good for the spleen and stomach; cook a millet congee with goji and dried scallop (or any minced meat if scallop isn’t wanted, plus a little white rice for body). You can also stew chicken breast with Chinese yam, goji and dang shen (3 qian each), or simmer a fresh-fish soup with bei qi 3 qian, dang shen 3 qian, 4 red dates and 2 slices of ginger — all help support qi and blood and a quicker recovery.
Published May 15, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
