Astragalus, Codonopsis and Lamb Soup

Why people make this soup

The thyroid gland regulates the body’s metabolic rate and overall development, which means an underactive thyroid affects almost every system. In older adults — particularly women — hypothyroidism often goes undetected for years. The signs can be subtle at first: persistent low mood, a vague facial puffiness, swelling around the wrists and ankles, dry and rough skin, a tendency to feel cold, and a general slowing of physical energy. In traditional Chinese medicine, this pattern — fatigue, cold intolerance, slow metabolism, and fluid retention — is often viewed as a deficiency of spleen and kidney yang. This soup addresses that pattern directly. Astragalus is one of the most widely used herbs in Chinese medicine for boosting vital qi and strengthening immune function. Codonopsis is often called “poor man’s ginseng” — a gentler, very accessible root that tonifies the middle and supports digestive absorption. Lamb is the warming meat of choice in Chinese food therapy, associated with strengthening kidney yang and dispelling cold.