Ginkgo Nut, Euryale Seed & Dried Oyster Soup

Why people make this soup

Getting up several times a night to use the bathroom is one of those problems that quietly erodes sleep quality and daily energy. In traditional food therapy, frequent night urination in middle-aged and older adults is often associated with declining kidney function — a natural part of ageing, though the degree varies significantly from person to person. Nourilo introduces this soup as a practical daily food remedy for those who find this pattern affecting their quality of life. It is a full meal in itself, not just a broth — the solids, especially the ginkgo nuts and euryale seeds, are worth eating along with the soup.

Method

1. Remove the bitter green inner core from each ginkgo nut.
2. Soak the euryale seeds in water for 30 minutes, then rinse well.
3. Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in water until soft; remove and discard the stems.
4. Soak the dried oysters until soft.
5. Pit the red dates.
6. Place all ingredients into a pot with 2.4 L of water.
7. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer and cook for about 2 hours until the liquid reduces to 1.2 L.
8. Serve with all the solids — ginkgo nuts and euryale seeds in particular are worth eating.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is warming, nourishing, and suitable for the whole family — old and young alike. Besides its traditional association with reducing night urination, it is considered beneficial in food therapy for women with excessive vaginal discharge and for those who cough or wheeze easily.

For those with gout or elevated uric acid: omit the dried shiitake mushrooms and substitute with barley (yi yi ren) or aduki beans (chi xiao dou). Also eat the dried oysters in moderation.

For an enhanced kidney-support version: add 11 g (9 g) of fu pen zi (Chinese raspberry, a small dried red berry available at Chinese herbal medicine shops) to the pot. Nourilo says fresh-dried red raspberries can also be found in supermarkets as a snack — eating a small amount regularly is associated with supporting urinary frequency reduction.