Soups
Lily Bulb, Goji Berry and Abalone Soup
traditionally associated with nourishing yin, calming the mind and supporting those with anxious, overheated constitutions
Why people make this soup
City life brings relentless pressure. When that pressure is never fully released, some people begin to experience a chronic state of tension — irrational fear, an inability to unwind, a sense of dread that seems out of proportion to what is actually happening. In Chinese medicine, this pattern is often linked to an excess of internal heat arising from yin deficiency: the cooling, nourishing aspect of the body is depleted, so the mind and emotions become overheated and restless.
Lily bulb (bai he) is one of the best-known food-therapy ingredients for a disturbed, overheated mind — gently clearing heart-fire and calming mental agitation. Goji berries (gou qi zi) nourish the liver and kidney yin, which is especially helpful for the dizziness and visual disturbances that can accompany a deficient constitution. Abalone (qing bian bao) is prized in Chinese cuisine and food therapy alike for its ability to nourish the blood, soften liver tension and clear internal heat. Together these three ingredients form a soup that is both genuinely delicious and traditionally meaningful for those who feel chronically wired, anxious or emotionally depleted.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Most suitable for people who feel anxious, mentally restless, easily flustered or emotionally overheated
- Also beneficial for people with insomnia associated with overwork or chronic stress
- Suitable for people with diabetes
- Abalone is naturally quite rich — moderate portions are advisable; those who find seafood hard to digest may consider starting with small fresh abalone (available at fish counters or Asian grocers) or adding carrot and snow fungus to lighten the soup for family use
- Canned abalone is not recommended as a substitute for this recipe
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lily bulb (bai he): Sweet and slightly cold in nature; traditionally said to clear heart-fire and calm mental agitation; classically used for restlessness, palpitations and inability to sleep from heat
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Sweet and neutral; nourish the liver and kidney yin; particularly associated with supporting vision and alleviating dizziness from deficiency
- Abalone (qing bian bao): One of the most highly regarded tonic seafoods in Cantonese tradition; nourishes the blood, softens the liver, clears deficiency-heat and supports the eyes; helps amplify the yin-nourishing qualities of both lily bulb and goji
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lily bulb | 40 g (1 liang) | Rinse and separate petals |
| Goji berries | 40 g (1 liang) | Rinse |
| Green-lipped abalone | 1 whole piece | Thaw if frozen; scrub clean with a brush; remove intestinal tip |
| Water | 6–7 cups |
Method
- If using frozen abalone, thaw fully. Use a toothbrush to scrub the abalone clean, and trim away the intestinal tip at the opening. Leave it whole — do not cut before cooking.
- Blanch the abalone briefly in boiling water to remove impurities, then drain.
- Rinse the lily bulb petals and goji berries.
- Place all three ingredients into a pot with 6–7 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for about 2 hours until the abalone is tender and the broth is rich.
- Remove the abalone, slice it, and serve alongside the soup. Both the broth and the solid ingredients are meant to be eaten.
Bro Niu’s tips
Cook the abalone whole and slice it only once the soup is ready. If you cut it before cooking, it will become tough. For family servings, you can add carrot and snow fungus to extend the pot. Small fresh abalone are available at fish counters and Asian grocers — cook them shell-on for additional benefit. This soup is also very well suited to people with diabetes.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (May, 2018): My 20-year-old son is under a lot of pressure with exams. He says he feels very anxious, cannot sleep and cannot sit still. What food therapy might help him? Bro Niu: Try making a dessert soup with snow fungus (xue er), lily bulb (bai he), lotus seeds (lian zi), longan (yuan rou) and rock sugar. This helps clear heart-fire, nourish the blood and calm the mind. And do encourage and reassure him — doing his best is what matters.
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Q (Natalie, 2023): My friend has anxiety disorder and is taking medication including antidepressants. She feels very dry in the mouth and is tired and sleepy during the day. Is there anything to help? Bro Niu: She can try a soup with fresh dendrobium (xian shi hu), yu zhu (Solomon’s seal), mai dong, goji berries and lily bulb in lean pork broth with a small piece of dried scallop — this supports qi and generates fluids, which can ease the dry mouth and help with anxious restlessness. As a daily drink, brewing American ginseng, goji berries and chrysanthemum together as a tea is also gentle and supportive. Avoid the tea during colds or fevers.
Published September 5, 2014 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
