Soups
Astragalus, Glehnia Root and Sea Solomon's Seal Broth
traditionally used to nourish yin, support qi, and ease thirst and fatigue associated with hyperthyroidism or diabetes
Why people make this broth
Hyperthyroidism — an overactive thyroid — is disproportionately common in young people, and especially in young women. The thyroid becomes hyperactive under stress, hormonal fluctuation (puberty, menstruation), and the sustained pressure of academic or work life that many young adults navigate today. The result is a body that runs faster than it should: heart racing, always hungry but losing weight, constantly thirsty, easily exhausted, and prone to anxiety or mood swings.
In the framework of traditional Chinese medicine, this pattern is understood as a depletion of yin — the cool, moist, sustaining principle — which allows yang (the active, warming, consuming principle) to run unchecked. The goal of this three-herb broth is to gently restore that balance: astragalus (bei qi) reinforces the body’s fundamental qi so it does not scatter; northern glehnia root (bei sha shen) nourishes the lung and stomach yin and generates fluids to quench the chronic thirst; and sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu) goes a step further, also addressing the kidney dimension. Together they make a broth that is calming rather than stimulating, moistening rather than drying.
This broth is also noted by Bro Niu as being very suitable for people with diabetes who experience the same triad of symptoms: excess thirst, excess hunger, and fatigue.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for: those diagnosed with or suspected of hyperthyroidism who experience thirst, constant hunger, weight loss, and nervous fatigue; also suitable for diabetes with similar symptom patterns
- Pregnant women can drink this broth safely
- Those on thyroid medication: take medication first, wait 2 hours, then drink the broth
- Can be combined with concurrent Chinese medicine treatment — ask your TCM doctor whether to add this
- Avoid high-iodine foods (e.g. seaweed, nori) if you have hyperthyroidism; moderate fish intake is fine
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Astragalus root (bei qi / huang qi): One of the most well-researched qi tonic herbs; supports immune function, energy, and is thought to anchor and consolidate the body’s vital energy so it does not scatter outward
- Northern glehnia root (bei sha shen): The slender northern variety is preferred over the coarser southern form (nan sha shen) for this purpose; nourishes stomach and lung yin, generates fluids, and soothes dryness — the “cooling moistener” in this formula
- Sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu): A variety of Polygonatum that carries the yin-nourishing properties of regular jade bamboo (yu zhu) but with an added kidney-tonic dimension; nurtures the deep reserves that hyperthyroidism tends to deplete
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Astragalus root (bei qi) | ~19 g | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Northern glehnia root (bei sha shen) | ~38 g | Rinse; use the slender northern variety for best effect |
| Sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu) | ~38 g | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Water | 5 bowls (~1 L) |
Method
- Rinse all herbs briefly; soak for 10–15 minutes if they are quite dry.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 45 minutes until the liquid reduces to 2 bowls.
- Strain if preferred, or drink with the softened herbs.
- For those with hyperthyroid or diabetes symptoms, drink 2–3 servings per week. Drink 2 hours after any medication.
Bro Niu’s tips
For the glehnia root (sha shen), buy the slender northern variety (bei sha shen) — it nourishes stomach and lung yin more effectively than the thicker southern kind (nan sha shen). Sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu) is a type of Polygonatum — distinct from ordinary jade bamboo (yu zhu) — with an added benefit for kidney yin. This broth is also excellent for people with diabetes who have the thirst-hunger-fatigue pattern. Those with hyperthyroidism should avoid seaweed, nori, and other high-iodine foods; moderate fish consumption is fine.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Hi): Can pregnant women drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, this broth is safe for pregnant women.
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Q (Yu): Is sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu) the same as regular jade bamboo (yu zhu)? Bro Niu: Sea Solomon’s seal is a variety of Polygonatum — it shares the yin-nourishing and dryness-relieving properties of jade bamboo but additionally has a kidney-tonifying action.
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Q (anonymous): Can people with hyperthyroidism eat most fish? Bro Niu: Moderate fish consumption is fine for those with hyperthyroidism. What to avoid is seaweed — kombu, nori, and similar algae are very high in iodine and should be limited.
Published January 17, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
