Nourilo

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Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, Red Date and Wheat Berry Soup

traditionally used to nourish the heart, calm the mind, and support restful sleep

In short: Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, Red Date and Wheat Berry Soup is a soup that traditionally used to nourish the heart, calm the mind, and support restful sleep. It is most often made for heart & circulation, sleep & calm, everyday balance. Total time about 3 hr 35 min. Key ingredients: lotus seeds, lily bulb, red dates, rock sugar.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
2 hr 5 min
Cook
1 hr 30 min
Total
3 hr 35 min
Makes
1.2–1.5 L
Heart & CirculationSleep & CalmEveryday Balance
Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, Red Date and Wheat Berry Soup

Why people make this soup

In Chinese food-therapy tradition, the best beauty and wellness products are not found in a pharmacy — they are found in whole grains, seeds, and plant foods that nourish from the inside out. Nourilo loves wheat berries (whole wheat kernels) as a base for this kind of soup because, unlike refined grains, they retain all their vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Combined with the calming properties of lotus seeds and lily bulb, and the gentle sweetness of red dates, the result is a soothing, mildly sweet soup that many people in Chinese-speaking households use to wind down before bed or on days when stress feels high.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Lotus seeds · Randomized crossover trial, 10 participants · 2019
    Lotus seed meals had a low glycemic index (GI 21–51 across the lotus seed and adzuki bean meals), while several other starchy foods did not differ significantly from rice. Lotus seed's in vitro hydrolysis index was also lower than that of other test foods.Limitation: Only ten healthy participants and acute single-meal tests, so findings may not apply to people with diabetes or to long-term intake.PubMed 30875961
  • Red dates · Meta-analysis, 483 participants · 2025
    Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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