Fresh Dendrobium, Astragalus and Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nourilo was thinking about what everyday food-therapy could do to help people stay resilient. Many classic strengthening herbs — astragalus, goji, red dates, and others — are associated in traditional Chinese medicine with activating the body’s immune cells and keeping defences sharp. Today he picked up a bundle of fresh dendrobium at the herbal shop. This variety has a lovely sweet flavour when simmered, and unlike some warming tonics, it is associated with nourishing yin and moistening the lungs without producing excess heat. The result is a gentle, sweet soup the whole family can drink — children included.