Soups
Selfheal, Jellyfish and Chrysanthemum Soup (Xia Ku Cao Hai Zhe Tang)
traditionally used to clear liver heat, ease headaches, and support healthy blood pressure
Why people make this soup
Jellyfish is one of those ingredients that Westerners sometimes encounter only pickled or in a salad at a Chinese restaurant, not realising it has a long history as a therapeutic food. In Chinese food therapy, jellyfish is valued precisely because it is not dramatic: it clears heat and dissolves phlegm, moistens the intestine gently, and is neither cold enough to harm a sensitive digestion nor rich enough to feel heavy. This makes it well suited for the group Bro Niu has in mind — older adults, menopausal women, and people with liver-heat type patterns who need something cooling without aggravating the stomach.
Selfheal (xia ku cao, Prunella vulgaris) is the principal herb here. It is widely used in Chinese herbal medicine for conditions associated with “liver fire” — headaches, high blood pressure, red and irritated eyes, irritability, bitter taste in the mouth, and disturbed sleep. Chrysanthemum adds to this cooling action and has a particular affinity for the eyes and head. Water chestnut brings natural sweetness and a refreshing quality to the whole pot.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Particularly suited for people with liver-heat patterns: high blood pressure with headache, dizziness, flushed face, eye redness, irritability, or disturbed sleep
- Also suitable for menopausal women with yin deficiency and liver excess (restlessness, hot flushes, night sweats of the heat type)
- People with constipation, excess phlegm, or heat-type conditions may benefit
- NOT suitable for people with a cold constitution or cold-deficiency spleen and stomach — this is a cooling soup and may worsen digestive weakness, loose stools, or always-cold symptoms
- If taking prescribed blood-thinning medication, consult your doctor before consuming large quantities of herbs that have mild blood-thinning properties
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Selfheal spike (xia ku cao): The main herb; associated with clearing liver heat and fire; traditionally used for headache, high blood pressure, swollen glands, and eye inflammation; cooling in nature
- Jellyfish (hai zhe): Clears heat, dissolves phlegm, and gently moistens the bowel; refreshing rather than cold; suits menopausal patterns and liver-excess constitution
- Water chestnuts (ma ti): Cooling, sweet, and juicy; adds natural sweetness; also traditionally considered supportive of the liver and clearing mild heat
- Chrysanthemum (ju hua): Disperses wind-heat; benefits the eyes; adds a floral note that complements the selfheal
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Selfheal spike (xia ku cao) | ~40 g | Rinse |
| Dried jellyfish (hai zhe) | ~40 g | Soak in cold water for 1 day, changing water twice, to remove excess salt; or use ready-to-eat jellyfish and rinse briefly |
| Water chestnuts (ma ti) | 8 pieces | Peeled |
| Chrysanthemum flowers (ju hua) | ~20 g | Rinse |
| Water | 6 bowls (~1.2 L) | |
| Rock sugar (optional) | to taste | For a sweet version |
| Lean pork (optional) | ~150 g | For a savoury version |
Method
- If using dried jellyfish: soak in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water at least twice to remove excess salt and soften. Ready-to-eat jellyfish only needs a brief rinse.
- Rinse the selfheal spike and chrysanthemum flowers.
- Peel the water chestnuts.
- Place all ingredients (except rock sugar, if using) in a pot with 6 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 2 hours, until the liquid reduces to about 3 bowls.
- For a sweet version: add rock sugar to taste in the last 10 minutes. For a savoury version: add lean pork at the start or partway through cooking.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup can be made sweet (add rock sugar) or savoury (add lean pork). Both versions work. The only firm caution: people with a spleen-stomach cold deficiency should avoid this soup. The cooling nature of selfheal and jellyfish can worsen digestive weakness and cold symptoms in those who already run cold.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Apple): My brother has very high blood pressure — even medication isn’t bringing it down. He gets dizzy and has chest pain when he walks, and his hands and feet are always cold. What can help? Bro Niu: Because your brother is already on anticoagulant medication, it’s important not to add any herbs with blood-thinning properties. He can safely drink chrysanthemum green tea daily, and freshly pressed bitter melon and celery juice (add one apple to improve the flavour) may help reduce blood pressure quickly. Take one cup per day until symptoms improve. It is also worth gently exploring whether emotional stress is a factor — that can significantly raise blood pressure.
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Q (yc): Is there a soup that supports hormonal balance and the endocrine system? Bro Niu: Keeping to a diet of fresh vegetables and fruit, avoiding processed food and late nights, and getting regular exercise are the foundation. Fresh burdock root has a traditional association with supporting hormonal regulation. A soup of fresh burdock, carrot, white radish, shiitake mushrooms, and radish sprouts with lean pork supports cardiovascular health, blood sugar balance, and the endocrine system.
Published March 29, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
