Soups
Ligustrum, Goji Berry and Dried Conch Soup
traditionally associated with nourishing the liver and kidneys, supporting clear vision and reducing ringing in the ears
Why people make this soup
As we move into middle age — and especially as we grow older — overwork and insufficient self-care can start to show up as ringing in the ears, slightly fuzzy vision, aching knees and lower back, or hair that grays a little earlier than expected. In traditional Chinese food-therapy these are understood as signs that the liver and kidneys would benefit from a little nourishment. This soup is Bro Niu’s go-to response: a gentle, restorative brew that tastes clean and slightly sweet, and that the whole family can enjoy together. The reader Annie Koo wrote to share that after following this recipe alongside another remedy, her husband’s hearing clarity improved by about 90 percent — a testament to the power of consistency and patience with food-based approaches.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits middle-aged and older adults with symptoms associated with liver-kidney depletion: ringing in the ears, visual blurring, early greying, low-grade fatigue, or night sweats
- The whole family may drink it — it is balanced and not overly tonifying
- People with an active cold or fever should not consume this soup — wait until the illness has resolved
- Those with gout who cannot eat black soybeans may substitute chestnuts (li zi), about 115 g
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Ligustrum berries (nu zhen zi): Mild-natured and nourishing, ligustrum is traditionally used to support liver and kidney function, reduce fatigue, and strengthen the immune system. It is also associated with supporting healthy vision and moderating blood glucose.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): A classic liver-nourishing and vision-supporting herb, goji is widely used in Chinese food therapy to boost vitality and immunity. It pairs naturally with ligustrum.
- Green-kernel black soybeans (qing ren hei dou): Called the “king of legumes” in traditional texts, black soybeans are associated with kidney-strengthening, improving circulation, reducing puffiness, and supporting healthy hair and skin.
- Dried conch with operculum (xiang luo gan): The conch’s flesh is traditionally considered yin-nourishing and kidney-supporting. Importantly, the hard operculum (the shell “lid”) contains concentrated minerals and vitamins — do not discard it; cook everything together.
- Red dates (hong zao): Add natural sweetness and are traditionally used to nourish blood and support the spleen. Pitting them before cooking is standard practice.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ligustrum berries (nu zhen zi) | 20 g | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 12 g | Rinse |
| Green-kernel black soybeans | 80 g | Rinse and soak |
| Red dates, pitted | 5 pieces | |
| Dried conch with operculum | 3–4 pieces | Rinse; soak 30 min; blanch briefly to remove fishy odour; include the operculum |
| Water | approx. 1.9 L (8 bowls) |
Method
- Rinse and briefly soak the ligustrum berries, goji berries, and black soybeans.
- Pit the red dates.
- Rinse the dried conch; soak in fresh water for 30 minutes (the soaking water can be added to the pot). Blanch briefly in plain boiling water to remove any strong odour, then drain. Keep the operculum attached — it is the most nutrient-rich part.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook for about 1.5 hours until the liquid reduces to roughly 4 bowls.
- Serve as a soup; eat the conch, beans, and dates along with the broth for the greatest benefit.
Bro Niu’s tips
Never discard the dried conch’s operculum — that flat, lid-like piece is packed with minerals and vitamins and is the most nutritious part of the ingredient. American dried conch has a particularly clean, sweet flavour; South African varieties are likely fine too, though Bro Niu tends to use the American ones. If fresh conch head (xiang luo tou) is what you find at the shop, that works as well. If you cannot eat black soybeans due to gout, substitute roughly 115 g of chestnuts instead.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Annie Koo): My husband is 75. A hearing test showed he only has about 70–80% hearing ability, and his doctor recommended a hearing aid, which he refuses to wear. Is there any food remedy that might help? Bro Niu: Try roasting green-kernel black soybeans in a dry pan over low heat for about 12 minutes, then store them in a glass jar. Each day, put 2 tablespoons of the roasted beans and 1 tablespoon of black mulberries into a teapot, add boiling water, and steep for 15 minutes. Drink it daily, refilling until the flavour fades. You can also eat the softened beans and berries for extra benefit. Try this consistently for two weeks and see if there is any improvement.
-
Q (Wendy): My husband has gout — can the black soybeans be swapped for something else? Bro Niu: Yes, replace the black soybeans with about 115 g of chestnuts.
-
Q (Ki, reader): I have had tinnitus, dizziness, and a feeling of head pressure for a week. I have seen a doctor twice with no improvement. What soup would help? Bro Niu: You could try: 1 liang black soybeans, 5 qian black mulberries, 4 qian poria (fu ling), 3 qian white atractylodes (bai zhu), 1 piece dried tangerine peel (chen pi), a little rock sugar — simmer in 5 bowls of water down to 2 bowls. Drink for 3 consecutive days and see if there is improvement. If not, I would recommend seeing a Chinese medicine practitioner, as acupuncture and herbal medicine can be quite effective for tinnitus and dizziness.
Published August 20, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
