Astragalus Root, Cimicifuga and Silkie Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

Gastroptosis — where the stomach drops lower than its normal position — is more common than many people realise, and it often goes undiagnosed for years. The pattern that leads to it is familiar: work stress, irregular eating, binge-and-fast cycles, and not enough rest. Common signs include a persistent feeling of fullness or pressure after meals, bloating, fatigue, irritability, and, in some cases, actual stomach pain or visible sagging of the abdomen. Traditional Chinese food therapy addresses this under the concept of “sinking qi” — the body’s upward-holding energy is insufficient, and the internal organs lose their proper tone and position. The classic remedy is to supplement and raise qi using astragalus (bei qi) paired with cimicifuga (sheng ma), a combination that appears repeatedly across classical Chinese medical texts for treating this exact pattern.

Nourilo notes that the same formula was previously featured for uterine prolapse — two very different anatomical locations, but the same underlying pattern of sinking qi. In Chinese medicine, this is described as “treating different diseases by the same method.”

Method

1. Pit the red dates; rinse and briefly soak the tangerine peel to soften.
2. Rinse the astragalus and cimicifuga.
3. Cut the silkie chicken into pieces. Bring water to the boil in a separate pot and blanch the chicken briefly; remove and rinse.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 1.8–2.1 L of fresh water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook for 1.5 hours.
6. Season lightly with salt and serve warm.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup can be taken 2–3 times per week until symptoms improve. It is also effective for chronic dysentery with rectal prolapse. Silkie chicken is the traditional choice here; if unavailable, lean pork can be substituted. Gastroptosis responds best to lifestyle changes alongside food therapy — eat smaller meals, chew slowly, rest after eating (lying down briefly is fine), avoid strenuous exercise immediately after meals, and avoid prolonged standing. Addressing the emotional and stress dimension is also important, as anxiety and tension can worsen gut motility significantly.