Soups
Ginkgo Nut, Fox Nut & Squab Soup
Traditionally used to tonify the kidneys, reduce urinary frequency, and ease nighttime waking to urinate
Why people make this soup
Waking up two or three times a night to use the bathroom is disruptive and exhausting — and it is more common than people admit across all age groups. In older adults it often reflects declining kidney “consolidating” function in Chinese medicine terms; in younger people it can be tied to anxiety or poor sleep; in young children it may manifest as bedwetting. This soup is a gentle, food-based approach that families have used across generations to try to support bladder control. It is not a substitute for medical evaluation, but it is a nourishing soup that the whole family can share.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits older adults with nighttime urinary frequency; children with bedwetting; adults whose frequent urination is associated with fatigue or mild kidney weakness; those with excess phlegm or vaginal discharge
- Suitable for all ages when cooked for the full time
- Caution: those prone to constipation should avoid eating the fox nuts (drink the soup, omit the fox nuts, or add 4 dried figs instead); those with active fever or an unresolved external illness should not use this soup
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Ginkgo nuts (bai guo): Considered astringent and consolidating in Chinese medicine — traditionally used to reduce urinary frequency, address phlegm-related cough, and ease vaginal discharge. The cores must be removed as they contain mildly toxic compounds.
- Fox nuts / euryale seeds (qian shi): A starchy, gentle seed used to consolidate the kidneys and spleen — traditionally associated with reducing diarrhea, leakage, and excess discharge.
- Dried cranberries (hong mei gan): Used for their astringent and urinary-tract-toning properties; in Chinese herb shops this ingredient is called fu pen zi (raspberry).
- Southern dates (nan zao): A milder, less warming variety of Chinese date, good for those who tend to get heaty easily.
- Squab (ru ge): A young pigeon that, in Chinese medicine, is considered tonic for qi and essence. Chicken or lean pork works as a practical substitute.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo nuts | 15 pieces | Shell, remove skin and core |
| Fox nuts (qian shi) | 38 g | Rinse; soak briefly |
| Dried cranberries (hong mei gan) | 38 g | Rinse |
| Southern dates (nan zao) | 4 pieces | Rinse |
| Dried tangerine peel | 1 piece | Soak and rinse |
| Squab / young pigeon | 1 whole | Clean and blanch; or substitute lean pork / chicken |
Method
- Clean the squab and cut into pieces; blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain.
- Shell the ginkgo nuts; remove the inner papery skin and the green core (the core is mildly toxic — do not skip this step).
- Rinse the fox nuts, cranberries, southern dates, and tangerine peel.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 cups (about 1.9 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours until the liquid reduces to about 4 cups.
- Serve the soup and eat the solid ingredients alongside — especially the ginkgo nuts and fox nuts.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is suitable for all ages — from young children with bedwetting to older adults with nighttime frequency. Quail (an chun) is a good alternative to squab if pigeon is hard to find. If the household includes someone prone to constipation, have them skip eating the fox nuts and add 4 dried figs to the pot instead — figs help both bladder and bowel function. Dried cranberries from the supermarket work fine; in Chinese herb shops ask for fu pen zi (3 qian, roughly 12 g).
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Toby): If I do not have squab, can I use another protein? Bro Niu: Yes — lean pork works perfectly well as a substitute.
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Q (Sandy): My husband is 73 and has foamy urine with 2–3 trips to the bathroom each night. Is this soup right for him? Bro Niu: This soup is very suitable. The squab can be replaced with lean pork — the whole family can share it. You can also make a simple porridge with 15 ginkgo nuts (cores removed) and 1 liang of fox nuts — 2–3 times a week.
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Q (Anonymous / reader): My husband also has constipation along with frequent urination. Can he still drink this soup? Bro Niu: Fox nuts eaten in quantity can cause constipation. He can drink the soup without eating the fox nuts, and add 4 dried figs to the pot — this supports both urinary and bowel function.
Published October 1, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
