Soups
Luffa, Dried Daylily, Fig & Chicken Soup
Traditionally supports milk flow, the skin and reduces water retention
Why people make this soup
Summer is luffa season. Bro Niu once showed a friend how to rub fresh luffa on her cheeks — after a while the brownish patches faded noticeably and her skin softened. Beauty-minded folks can use luffa on the skin and in cooking; beyond brightening, it is traditionally valued to ease water retention, support antioxidant balance and protect the heart and blood vessels. This luffa, daylily, fig and chicken soup is traditionally made to clear heat, support the complexion, slow signs of aging, and help nursing mothers with their milk flow.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for nursing mothers wanting to support milk flow; suitable for young and old
- Also kind to post-natal mothers feeling low in spirit, and to those with weaker memory
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Luffa (si gua): traditionally supports the skin and helps ease water retention
- Dried daylily (jin zhen): traditionally soothing and is associated with easing low mood
- Peanuts (hua sheng): nourishing and traditionally associated with supporting milk flow
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): traditionally moisten and add natural sweetness
- Chicken (ji): savory and nourishing for post-natal recovery
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Luffa | 1 | Peel, cut into chunks |
| Dried daylily | 1 small handful | Rinse and soak |
| Peanuts | ~40 g | Rinse and soak |
| Dried figs | 4 | Halve |
| Chicken | half a bird | Chop, blanch |
Method
- Peel the luffa and cut into chunks.
- Rinse and soak the daylily and peanuts; halve the figs.
- Chop the chicken and blanch it.
- Simmer everything in 7 bowls of water for 1 hour, down to 4 bowls; serve the soup and contents together.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is sweet and savory and pleasant for young and old. It is also kind to post-natal mothers feeling low in spirit and to those whose memory feels a little foggy.
Published May 27, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
