Soups
Lotus Root, Mung Bean, Dried Octopus and Chicken Soup
Traditionally used to nourish the blood and support milk supply
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu found big, fragrant sun-dried octopus at the dried-seafood shop and could not resist — dried octopus makes an exceptionally savory, sweet broth. In food-therapy tradition, octopus is associated with nourishing the blood and supporting milk supply, and with protecting the liver and heart-and-vessel health. This particular pot is a classic for new mothers whose milk is low and whose qi and blood feel depleted.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits postpartum mothers with low milk supply, and anyone with qi-and-blood weakness; the soup is gentle and not drying, so the whole family can enjoy it
- Octopus is a scaleless seafood and a traditional “trigger food” (fa wu); people with active skin problems such as acne or eczema are better off having little or none
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dried octopus (zhang yu): traditionally nourishes the blood and is associated with supporting milk supply
- Lotus root (lian ou): traditionally nourishes the blood and harmonizes the body
- Mung bean (lü dou): traditionally clears heat, balancing the richer ingredients
- Aged tangerine peel (chen pi): traditionally regulates qi and helps the digestion
Ingredients (5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus root | 1 to 2 segments | peeled, chunked |
| Mung beans | ~40 g | soaked, rinsed |
| Dried octopus | ~75 g | rinsed, blanched |
| Aged tangerine peel | 1 piece | soaked |
| Chicken breast | 2 pieces | blanched |
Method
- Peel the lotus root and cut into chunks.
- Soak and rinse the mung beans and tangerine peel.
- Rinse and blanch the chicken breast and octopus.
- Simmer everything in 8 to 9 bowls of water for 2 hours, reducing to about 5 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is sweet, savory, and tonifying without being drying. Beyond nursing mothers, men, women, young and old can all enjoy it; taken regularly it is associated with supporting healthy skin and graceful aging.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ah Ying): I’m 60, cold-constitution. You once had me drink ginger and brown sugar, which helped a lot. Now I think I may have an overactive bladder — eat fruit and I’m in the toilet within half an hour. Any food therapy? Bro Niu: Try 3 qian each yi zhi ren and jin ying zi, 5 qian fox nut (qian shi), and 5 red dates simmered into a lean-pork soup. Adding pig bladder makes it even better, but soak and blanch it well first or it will taste off.
- Q (PY): My 14-year-old daughter has a lot of red, swollen acne. Is octopus soup suitable for her? Bro Niu: Octopus is a scaleless “trigger food,” so anyone with skin troubles should eat little. Teenage acne is often hormonal; instead try 1 tael each mung bean and barley, 5 red dates, and 1 tangerine peel in a young-pigeon soup, 2 to 3 times a week until it improves. That soup is not too cold in nature.
Published October 19, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
