Soups
Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, Longan and Quail Egg Sweet Soup
Traditionally used to support the spleen, nourish the blood, and calm the mind
Why people make this soup
Modern city life brings heavy pressure and frayed nerves, and many people — especially those doing a lot of mental work — end up frazzled, forgetful, unable to focus, and sleeping badly, sometimes with headaches or dizziness. This gentle sweet soup of lotus seed, lily bulb, longan and quail egg is traditionally associated with supporting the spleen, nourishing the blood, and calming the mind.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who feel run-down and stressed, with poor sleep, palpitations, restless or dream-filled sleep, low energy, forgetfulness, fatigue, or a pale complexion.
- Gentle and family-friendly. If anxiety, insomnia, or low mood is persistent or severe, please see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lotus seeds (lian zi): Traditionally associated with supporting the spleen and calming the heart-mind.
- Lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally linked with soothing the mind and easing restlessness.
- Longan flesh (yuan rou): Traditionally associated with nourishing the blood and settling the spirit.
- Quail eggs (an chun dan): Neutral in nature; traditionally associated with replenishing depletion and supporting qi and blood. (Hard-boiled chicken eggs can substitute.)
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus seeds (lian zi) | ~37.5 g (1 liang) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Dried lily bulb (bai he) | ~37.5 g (1 liang) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Longan flesh (yuan rou) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinsed |
| Quail eggs (an chun dan) | 6–8 | Boiled, peeled |
| Rock sugar (bing tang) | To taste |
Method
- Hard-boil the quail eggs and peel them.
- Soak and rinse the lotus seeds and lily bulb separately; rinse the longan.
- Simmer the lotus seeds, lily bulb and longan in 7 bowls of water for 45 minutes, reducing to about 4 bowls.
- Add the quail eggs and rock sugar; once the sugar dissolves, serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Quail eggs are neutral in nature and traditionally associated with replenishing depletion and supporting qi and blood. Besides fresh ones, you can buy canned, pre-peeled quail eggs — open and use, very convenient. If you have none, hard-boiled chicken eggs work as a substitute.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Wan wan): I have anxiety and depression managed with medication. A month ago I suddenly got urinary urgency — I urinate, then immediately feel the urge again. All tests came back clear; doctors suspect it’s psychosomatic / autonomic-nervous related bladder sensitivity. Any food-therapy that could help? Bro Niu: With anxiety the most important thing is to stay as relaxed and optimistic as possible — easier said than done, but try to ease up and think positively. Day to day, eat more magnesium-rich foods such as cashews, Brazil nuts, black soybeans, pumpkin seeds and flaxseed, as well as bananas, apples, wheatgrass and avocado — magnesium is associated with lifting mood and easing tension. For example, simmer black soybeans 1 liang, lotus seed 5 qian, lily bulb 5 qian and southern dates 6 as a tea, which is traditionally associated with calming the mind. Try 3 doses a week.
Published July 31, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
