Fresh Chinese Yam, Dendrobium, and Quail Soup

Why people make this soup

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is associated in traditional Chinese medicine with two overlapping patterns: spleen-qi weakness and kidney yang deficiency. The spleen-qi pattern presents as persistent fatigue, poor appetite, reluctance to speak much, cold sweats, thirst with a preference for warm drinks, dry skin, and numb hands and feet. The kidney yang pattern adds deeper signs such as a heavy feeling in the body, cold extremities, puffiness or water retention, aching lower back and knees, reduced memory and responsiveness, and low libido. This soup is designed primarily for the spleen-qi pattern — providing gentle nourishment, supporting digestive function, and replenishing body fluids. Fresh dendrobium is one of the most respected tonic herbs in Chinese medicine for its ability to nourish yin and generate fluids without being overly cooling. Combined with fresh Chinese yam, goji berries, and quail, the resulting soup is richly nutritious, suitable for children and adults alike, and particularly welcomed in dry autumn and winter months.

Method

1. Peel the fresh Chinese yam and cut into large chunks.
2. Rinse the fresh dendrobium stems and cut into sections.
3. Rinse the goji berries briefly and pit the red dates.
4. Clean the quail and blanch briefly in boiling water; drain and set aside.
5. Place all ingredients into a pot with 2.4 L of water.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
7. Cook for 2 hours until liquid reduces to about 1.2 L.
8. Serve the soup and eat the solid ingredients together.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is rich in nutrition and gentle enough for children — it supports healthy development and is a lovely general family soup in autumn and winter. The quail skin is thin and has very little fat, so there is no need to remove it. If you cannot find quail outside Asia, regular chicken or pork tendons make a very good substitute. For skin that becomes particularly dry in the colder months, drinking this soup regularly will help from the inside out.