Chinese Yam, Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, Codonopsis and Longan Soup

Why people make this soup

Nourilo likes to remind people that good sleep is not only about how many hours you log — it is about depth. The simple test: if you wake up clear-headed, energetic and comfortable, with no lingering tiredness, your sleep quality is good. Food therapy can genuinely help with restless nights, and this is one of his favourite gentle soups for it. With ingredients traditionally said to nourish the heart and calm the mind, it is mild enough to take regularly as a home remedy.

Method

1. Rinse and briefly soak all the ingredients.
2. Put everything into a pot with 2.4 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 2 hours down to roughly 1.2 L.
4. Serve, eating the soup together with the softened ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup works equally well savoury or sweet: for a sweet version add rock sugar; for a savoury one cook it with chicken or lean pork. It is especially helpful for restless, anxious sleeplessness — but again, do not take it while a cold or flu is still hanging around. Note that this is a soup that must be properly simmered to draw out its benefits; just steeping the ingredients in a flask of hot water will not do it. If you want a quick steeped version instead, use 1 tablespoon each of sour jujube seed (chao zao ren), arborvitae seed (bai zi ren) and longan, rinse, pour over boiling water and steep 15 minutes; you can top it up until it tastes light.