Fresh Chinese Yam, Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb & Longan Soup

Why people make this soup

Traditional Chinese medicine holds a simple standard for good health: eat well, sleep well, and have regular bowel movements. It is a simple standard — but for many people, the second item on that list is the hardest to achieve. Life pressure, long hours, and a general sense of being unable to switch off at night have made poor sleep quality incredibly common.

This soup draws on a cluster of ingredients that Chinese food therapists have relied on for generations to calm what traditional medicine calls the “heart spirit” (xin shen) — the mental and emotional dimension of wellbeing. It is gentle and naturally sweet, tasting more like a comforting soup than any kind of medicine. Suitable for those who have trouble falling asleep, those who wake in the small hours and cannot get back to sleep, and those whose dreams are too vivid and restless.

Method

1. Peel the fresh Chinese yam and cut into chunks (use gloves if your skin is sensitive to the sap).
2. Soak and rinse the lotus seeds and lily bulb.
3. Pit the jujube dates.
4. Cut the pork shin into chunks and blanch in boiling water for a few minutes; drain and rinse.
5. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 2.4 L of water.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1.5 hours until the broth reduces to roughly 1.2 L.
7. Serve and eat the soup along with the ingredients — both are nourishing.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup has a clean, naturally sweet flavour and is suitable for the whole family. It is also helpful for those with nervous exhaustion or neurasthenia. If you only have dried Chinese yam, use about 38 g (37 g) in place of the fresh. Purple yam can also be substituted. For long-term insomnia, Nourilo suggests making simple lifestyle adjustments alongside food therapy: no caffeinated drinks after dinner, and a small warm glass of milk before bed can make a real difference.