Soups

Fresh Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb & Silkie Chicken Soup

Traditionally used to calm the mind, nourish the heart, and support restful sleep

In short: Fresh Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb & Silkie Chicken Soup is a soup that Traditionally used to calm the mind, nourish the heart, and support restful sleep. It is most often made for women's wellness, heart & circulation, sleep & calm. Total time about 2 hr 20 min. Key ingredients: lotus seeds, lily bulb, ginger, red dates.

Prep
20 min
Cook
2 hr
Total
2 hr 20 min
Makes
1.5–1.8 L
Fresh Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb & Silkie Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

When stress piles up, sleep fragments, and the heart races for no apparent reason, many Cantonese families reach for a soup featuring lotus seeds and lily bulb. The combination has a long history as food therapy for what practitioners describe as “heart fire” and “yin deficiency” — restless agitation, difficulty settling the mind at night, and a persistent low-level unease. What makes this version special is the use of fresh lotus seeds rather than dried ones: fresh lotus seeds are more fragrant, and — crucially — their bitter green embryo (the lian xin) is left in. That tiny core is prized for clearing heart heat and settling agitation, even though its flavour is noticeably bitter. The silkie chicken (a black-boned chicken variety) is considered tonic without being warming or drying — making it suitable for people recovering after illness, for children during growth periods, and for older adults looking to improve their overall constitution.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Lotus seeds · Randomized crossover trial, 10 participants · 2019
    Lotus seed meals had a low glycemic index (GI 21–51 across the lotus seed and adzuki bean meals), while several other starchy foods did not differ significantly from rice. Lotus seed's in vitro hydrolysis index was also lower than that of other test foods.Limitation: Only ten healthy participants and acute single-meal tests, so findings may not apply to people with diabetes or to long-term intake.PubMed 30875961
  • Ginger · Meta-analysis, 23 studies · 2022
    Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger studies
  • Red dates · Meta-analysis, 483 participants · 2025
    Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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