Xianmao, Epimedium and Organic Chicken Breast Soup

Why people make this soup

Statistics suggest that 75–85% of women experience some symptoms of menopause, from irregular periods and hot flushes to palpitations, insomnia and emotional changes. In Chinese medicine, menopause is understood as a natural but sometimes difficult transition in which the body’s reserves of yin and yang become gradually depleted, particularly in the kidneys. This soup is aimed specifically at women whose menopause presents with what practitioners call a “kidney yang deficiency” pattern: a dull or puffy complexion, swelling in the face and limbs, hot flushes followed by chills, diminished appetite, loose stools, frequent urination, and periods that arrive irregularly, too early or too late. Xianmao and epimedium (the latter also known in the West as “horny goat weed” for its traditionally recognized effects on sexual function) are two of Chinese medicine’s key kidney-warming herbs, combined here with longan flesh for nourishing the blood and free-range chicken breast for gentle nourishment. Bro Niu notes these herbs are on the potent side, so this soup is not an everyday staple — once or twice a week is appropriate.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Specifically suits menopausal women with a cold-deficiency pattern: chills after sweating, puffy face, poor appetite, loose stools, frequent urination, low libido, cold extremities, lower back and knee soreness.
• Also traditionally associated with supporting people with frequent night urination, low libido and cold limbs — not exclusively for women.
• DO NOT use if you have: yin deficiency (dry mouth, hot palms, flushed cheeks, constipation, feeling overheated inside), an active cold, flu, fever, or infection.
• Children are not suitable for this soup (it contains potent warming herbs).
• If unsure whether your menopause pattern is cold-deficiency or yin-deficiency, consult a practitioner first.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Xianmao (Curculigo orchioides): A warming kidney-yang herb, traditionally associated with supporting sexual function, urinary health, and warming cold extremities. Because it is pungent and warm in nature, it is not appropriate for everyone.
• Epimedium / horny goat weed (yin yang huo): One of the best-known kidney-yang herbs in Chinese medicine; traditionally linked to supporting sexual function, bone strength and cardiovascular function. Also warming and not suitable for yin-deficient constitutions.
• Longan flesh (yuan rou): Nourishes the blood, calms the heart and supports restful sleep — a gentle counterbalance to the more assertive warming herbs.
• Organic free-range chicken breast: Lean, gentle protein that builds qi and blood; free-range chicken is preferred for its cleaner flavor and higher nutritional quality in Bro Niu’s recipes.

Ingredients (2 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Xianmao	11 g (3 qian)	Soak and rinse
Epimedium (yin yang huo)	19 g (5 qian)	Soak and rinse
Longan flesh	11 g (3 qian)	Rinse
Organic free-range chicken breast	1 piece (approx. 200–250 g)	Blanch briefly; drain

Method

1. Soak and rinse the xianmao and epimedium briefly.
2. Rinse the longan flesh.
3. Blanch the chicken breast in boiling water for 1–2 minutes; drain.
4. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 6 bowls (about 1.4 L) of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for about 2 hours until reduced to 2 bowls.
6. Drink the soup; eat the chicken and longan flesh as part of the meal.
7. One to two servings per week is appropriate for ongoing support.

Bro Niu’s tips

• This soup is for a specific body-type; it will not suit everyone. If you are the type who runs warm, tends toward dry mouth, redness in the cheeks or constipation, this soup is not for you — look for a yin-nourishing recipe instead (such as American ginseng, polygonatum or snow fungus soups).
• For women approaching menopause who want to nourish yin rather than yang, a better daily soup would be: polygonatum (huang jing), ligustrum berry (nv zhen zi), mulberry (sang shen zi) and goji berry with lean pork — gentler and more broadly applicable.
• Women who are unsure of their constitution type but want a reliable general support should look at the “wheat kernel (xiao mai), licorice root (zhi gan cao), red dates and lily bulb” formula, which is gentle, broadly calming and suitable for most menopausal patterns.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (更年期的妇女): How often should I take this soup per week? What does “yin deficiency” mean? Is “external attack” the same as a cold? Bro Niu: Take this soup twice a week. Yin deficiency means the body’s fluids and cooling substances are depleted — signs include a dry throat, short dark urine, constipation, low-grade fever, night sweats and hot palms. An “external attack” (wai gan) refers to a cold or flu. This soup should not be taken during a cold.

• Q (Kitty): I have symptoms similar to menopause — I sweat easily, feel hot, but also feel cold in air conditioning. My neck and shoulders are uncomfortable. A Chinese doctor told me I have blood deficiency. Is this soup appropriate? Bro Niu: Your symptoms sound more like blood deficiency with simultaneous heat and cold — the specific menopause soup here is for kidney yang deficiency. For your pattern, try: wheat kernel (xiao mai), poria (fu shen), lily bulb (bai he), red dates and licorice root — cook 5 bowls down to 2 bowls, three times a week. See if it helps.

• Q (ming): My mother is nearly 60 and has pale lips, a constant dry and bitter mouth, and frequent loose stools. Is this soup suitable? Bro Niu: Your mother’s symptoms — pale lips and dry, bitter mouth together with loose stools — suggest a combination pattern that does not match the kidney yang deficiency type this soup targets. This soup is absolutely not suitable for her. Instead, try American ginseng (sha shen), polygonatum (yu zhu), mai dong, lily bulb and dried oyster (hao chi) cooked together in a soup to nourish yin, reduce stomach fire, and address the dryness and bitterness.

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Published March 25, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 5 min read.