Soups
Hand Orchid Tuber (Handra), Lily Bulb and Red Date Sweet Soup
Traditionally associated with nourishing the lungs, calming the mind, and supporting recovery from persistent cough
In short: Hand Orchid Tuber (Handra), Lily Bulb and Red Date Sweet Soup is a soup that Traditionally associated with nourishing the lungs, calming the mind, and supporting recovery from persistent cough. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, sleep & calm, energy & vitality. Total time about 70 min. Key ingredients: lily bulb, red dates, rock sugar.
Why people make this soup
Hand orchid tuber (fo shou shen) is an unusual find — a small, hand-shaped root with finger-like lobes splayed out, quite unlike anything commonly stocked at a typical herb shop. This orchid family tuber, harvested from the highlands of Ningxia and Qinghai provinces, has been used in Chinese herbal tradition to nourish the body, support lung function, and calm frayed nerves. Paired with lily bulb — one of the most classic lung-soothing ingredients in Cantonese soup — and sweet red dates, the result is a gentle, pleasant-tasting brew that anyone with a chronic cough or tired constitution might appreciate.
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.
- Red dates
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
Members only
Unlock the full method & Nourilo's tips
One payment, lifetime access to every one of our 2,344 recipes — step-by-step methods, preparation tips and serving notes.
- Full step-by-step method for this and all 2,344 recipes
- Nourilo's Tips — sourcing, substitutions and serving notes
- One-time payment · card, Apple Pay or Google Pay · no subscription, no renewals
Checking your access…
$59.99 one-time · all recipes
Sign in or create a free account, then pay once by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Continue with GoogleBy continuing with Google or email you confirm you are 16 or older and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
$59.99 one-time · all recipes
Signed in as ·
Secure checkout by Stripe. One-time payment, no renewals. Access is linked to your Nourilo account and never expires. By paying you agree to our Terms of Use; you can get a full refund within 14 days (refund policy).
Comments
Join the conversation — sign in or create a free account to comment.
Continue with GoogleBy continuing with Google or email you confirm you are 16 or older and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Loading comments…