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.

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients briefly under cold water.
2. Place all ingredients in a small pot with 1.5 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, until the liquid reduces to approximately 600 ml.
4. Drink the strained broth in one day, divided into two servings.
5. For a full course: drink daily for 7–10 consecutive days.

Nourilo’s Tips

If tangerine cake is not available at your local Chinese herb shop, you can use the fresh white pith inside a tangerine (ju luo) plus about one tablespoon of tangerine seeds (ju he) — these are considered to have a similar dispersing and softening effect. The soup has a pleasantly tangy, slightly sweet flavour and is not unpleasant to drink.