Soups
Lotus Root, Chestnut and Red Date Pork Rib Soup
Traditionally taken to nourish the blood, support the spleen and calm the spirit during the postpartum confinement month
Why people make this soup
Confinement-month soups do not have to lean on strong, warming tonic herbs — natural everyday ingredients can work just as nicely. This is a simple lotus-root soup I like to share: the ingredients are easy to find, the flavour is lovely, and it is traditionally enjoyed by new mothers who have lost a lot of blood during childbirth, feel low on energy, or tire easily. Gentle, clear and comforting, it is something the whole family can sit down to.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits new mothers in the confinement month who feel depleted or tired, and it is gentle enough for the whole family, young and old.
- Postpartum recovery differs from person to person; if you feel unwell or have any complications, please see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lotus root (lian ou): Traditionally used to nourish the blood and calm the spirit, a classic confinement-month ingredient.
- Chestnut (li zi): Traditionally valued to support the kidneys and strengthen the bones.
- Red dates (hong zao): Traditionally used to nourish the blood and warm the centre.
- Pork ribs (pai gu): Add body and savoury depth to the soup.
Ingredients (about 4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus root (lian ou) | 1 segment | Peel and chunk |
| Chestnuts (li zi) | ~112 g (3 liang) | Shell and skin |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 6 | Pitted |
| Pork ribs (pai gu) | ~450 g (12 liang) | Blanch |
Method
- Peel and chunk the lotus root; remove the skins from the chestnuts; pit the red dates; blanch the pork ribs.
- Put everything into a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Cook for about 1.5 hours, reducing to about 4 bowls.
- Serve, eating the soup together with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is clear, fragrant and tasty, traditionally said to nourish the blood, support the spleen, and strengthen the kidneys and bones. New mothers who drink it often may find it nourishing and calming, and it is suitable for the whole family, old and young.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Yiyi): A friend just had a miscarriage. What soup or food therapy can help her recover? Bro Niu: After a miscarriage, first nurse the womb back to health and do not rush to conceive again — it is best to see a Chinese-medicine practitioner to recover well before planning another pregnancy. In the early days you can simmer motherwort (yi mu cao, 5 qian) with 6 red dates into a rice congee to help care for the womb. Only move on to nourishing soups in the second week. Look under the “Women’s / Pre- and post-natal” category on my site for suitable nourishing soups.
- Q (anonymous): Can a young girl drink prince ginseng, Chinese yam, poria and lily-bulb water during her period? If it is not sweet enough, would half a golden luo han guo make it too cooling? Bro Niu: During the period you can use prince-ginseng, Chinese-yam, poria and lily-bulb water, adding a quarter of a golden luo han guo — it will not be too cooling. Luo han guo is about 300 times sweeter than sugar, so a little is enough to sweeten it.
Published June 21, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
