Nourilo

Soups

Hawthorn, Green Peel, Chen Pi and Tangerine Cake Soup

traditionally associated with supporting liver qi flow and easing breast tenderness linked to emotional stress

In short: Hawthorn, Green Peel, Chen Pi and Tangerine Cake Soup is a soup that traditionally associated with supporting liver qi flow and easing breast tenderness linked to emotional stress. It is most often made for women's wellness, liver wellness, sleep & calm. Total time about 70 min. Key ingredients: hawthorn, tangerine cake.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
10 min
Cook
60 min
Total
70 min
Makes
600 ml
Women's WellnessLiver WellnessSleep & CalmEnergy & Vitality
Hawthorn, Green Peel, Chen Pi and Tangerine Cake Soup

Why people make this soup

In traditional Chinese medicine thinking, emotional stress, suppressed frustration, and prolonged worry are seen as contributing to what practitioners call “liver qi stagnation” — a state where the smooth flow of energy through the body’s channels becomes sluggish. One common result in women is breast tenderness, swelling, or the development of fibrocystic lumps. Nourilo suggests that learning to release stress and cultivate a calmer state of mind is the most important medicine of all — but while you are working on that, this light, citrusy soup can serve as a gentle daily companion.

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.

  • Tangerine peel · Randomized controlled trial, 72 participants · 2025
    The tangerine peel drink group showed significant reductions in body weight and triglycerides after the intervention compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Safety markers showed no adverse effects. Gut microbiota and serum metabolite profiles also differed.Limitation: Small pilot trial with only 55 of 72 participants completing. The fermented product is not the same as plain tangerine peel, and the control group is not described.PubMed 40225325
  • Hawthorn · Randomized controlled trial, 41 participants · 2025
    Skin hydration scores improved more with hawthorn fruit than with placebo (p<0.05). Changes in other skin phenotypes and leukocyte telomere length were similar between groups. Genotype-specific effects were reported.Limitation: Small trial in which 36 completed follow-up; the genotype subgroup analyses are based on very few participants and are exploratory.PubMed 40573097 · 2 more hawthorn 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.

Ingredient notes for this recipe

  • Hawthorn: Can cause dizziness, nausea or digestive upset, and may interact with heart medicines. Little is known about its safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Source: NIH NCCIH — Hawthorn

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…

Spot an error? Report a correction

You might also like

Related recipes

More soups →

Comments

Loading comments…