Soups
Angelica, Rehmannia, Black Bean & Southern Jujube Soup
traditionally used to nourish liver and kidney, support blood and circulation
Why people make this soup
In traditional Chinese food therapy, people with a cold-deficient constitution — which often overlaps with hypothyroid presentations — are thought to benefit from warming, blood-nourishing ingredients. This soup centres on two classic blood tonics, angelica root and prepared rehmannia, paired with black soybeans for their kidney-nourishing reputation and southern jujubes for gentle sweetness and spleen support. The combination is traditionally valued for those who experience fatigue, pallor, dizziness, or irregular menstruation associated with liver-kidney insufficiency. Adding silk-feather chicken (wu gu ji) is a time-honoured way to make the soup richer yet easier to digest.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those with cold-deficient constitutions who experience fatigue, pallor, hair loss, dry skin, or irregular menstruation
- Those with gout should omit black soybeans and substitute goji berries (gou qi zi, ~11 g / 3 qian) instead
- The soup is warming in nature — limit to 1–2 servings per week to avoid over-heating; children should have smaller portions
- If you have a fever or acute infection, wait until you recover before drinking this soup
- Pregnancy: angelica root (the full root) is generally avoided in early pregnancy; if near term or postpartum, use only angelica head (dang gui tou) which is considered more tonifying and less activating. Consult your healthcare provider.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Angelica root (dang gui): One of the most celebrated blood-nourishing herbs in Chinese medicine; the head portion tonifies blood, the tail portion activates circulation. Traditionally combined with rehmannia for deeper blood and essence support.
- Prepared rehmannia (shu di huang): Steamed and processed root that is considered deeply nourishing to kidney yin and essence; pairs with angelica to address both blood and vital essence.
- Black soybeans (hei dou): Traditionally associated with kidney support; darker-coloured foods are linked in Chinese dietary theory with the kidney organ system.
- Southern jujubes (nan zao): Milder and more moistening than red dates; tonify the spleen and nourish blood without being overly drying.
- Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Helps move qi and aids digestion, preventing the rich herbs from becoming stagnating.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Angelica root (dang gui) | 4 qian (~15 g) | Available at Chinese herb shops |
| Prepared rehmannia (shu di huang) | 5 qian (~19 g) | Available at Chinese herb shops |
| Black soybeans (hei dou) | 1 liang (~38 g) | Rinse and soak before use |
| Southern jujubes (nan zao) | 6–8 pieces | Can substitute red dates |
| Dried tangerine peel (chen pi) | 2 pieces | Available at Chinese herb shops or grocery stores |
| Water | 6–7 bowls | ~1.2–1.4 L |
Method
- Rinse and briefly soak all ingredients in cold water for 10 minutes.
- Combine all ingredients with 6–7 bowls of water in a pot.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Cook for about 30 minutes until the liquid reduces to 2 bowls.
- Serve and drink the soup; eat the softened dates and beans as well.
Bro Niu’s tips
- You can add silk-feather chicken (wu gu ji) to cook together — it makes the soup richer and more nourishing without being greasy.
- For gout sufferers, swap the black soybeans for goji berries (~3 qian / 11 g).
- The whole family can drink this soup, but stick to 1–2 servings per week to avoid internal heat build-up. For children, double the black soybeans and keep the rest of the ingredients the same.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Mandy): My 16-year-old daughter just recovered from a cold and still has some phlegm — can she drink this soup? Bro Niu: As long as she does not have a fever, she can drink this soup.
-
Q (Crystal): Can I use lean pork instead of chicken? And without meat, how many times a week should I make this soup, and should I drink it before or after my period? Bro Niu: Lean pork works fine. Without meat, make it 1–2 times a week. You can drink it before or after your period — stop during menstruation.
-
Q (亚妹): Is this soup suitable for the whole family, including two teenage sons? What quantities should I use for four people? Bro Niu: The whole family can drink it, but it is somewhat warming. For four people the amounts in the recipe are enough; you can double the black soybeans. Stick to 1–2 servings a week so the boys do not get internal heat.
Published February 22, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
