Soups
Crown Daisy (Tong Hao) and Egg White Soup
Traditionally used to soothe the stomach and ease a heavy, dizzy head
Why people make this soup
When late autumn rolls around, crown daisy greens (tong hao) come back to the markets. For middle-aged and older folks with high blood pressure, the usual advice is more vegetables and less meat — but if your stomach runs a little cold, you can’t take too many cooling greens. Crown daisy is the friendly exception: warmer-natured and easy on the gut. Bro Niu cooks it into a quick soup with egg white, traditionally used to soothe the stomach, ease phlegm, and clear that heavy, dizzy-headed feeling some people get with high blood pressure.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Middle-aged and older people with high blood pressure who get a heavy, foggy head, especially those whose stomachs don’t tolerate too many cold vegetables; it’s also kindly to weak appetite and sluggish urination, and the whole family can drink it.
- A light food-based soup. High blood pressure still needs medical monitoring — treat this as support only.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Crown daisy (tong hao cai): traditionally used to soothe the stomach, resolve phlegm, ease coughs, and “clear the head and eyes.”
- Egg white (ji dan bai): a light, lean protein that keeps the soup gentle and clear.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crown daisy greens | ~300 g (½ catty) | Rinse well |
| Egg whites | 2–3 | Separate from yolks, beat |
| Oil and seasoning | to taste | — |
Method
- Rinse the crown daisy. Separate the egg whites from the yolks and beat the whites.
- Bring 2 bowls of water to a boil; add a little oil and seasoning.
- Add the crown daisy and cook 3–5 minutes.
- Pour in the egg whites, let it return to a boil, and serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
You can add a few slices of grass carp to this soup. The whole family can drink it, and it’s also helpful for poor appetite, an out-of-sorts stomach, and sluggish urination.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (CL): Can it be taken when I have a cold (common cold)? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup can be taken when you have a common cold.
- Q (phoebe chiu): My elderly father has gout — can he drink it? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup can be taken even with gout.
Published October 21, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
