Soups
Morinda, Cistanche and Black Bean Pork Shin Soup
Traditionally supports kidney yang and strengthens the tendons and bones
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu starts with a charming aside: cistanche (rou cong rong) gets its Chinese name partly from the word for “composed” or “unhurried” — it is a yang-warming herb that works gently, warm without being hot, tonifying without being harsh. It is rich in compounds and trace elements and is traditionally regarded as very helpful for those with a yang-deficient constitution. Paired with morinda (ba ji) and green-kernel black soybeans — traditionally used to support the liver and kidney, strengthen the tendons and bones and dispel wind-damp — it makes a nourishing winter pot.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with a cold, yang-deficient constitution and those wanting to support the tendons and bones; traditionally also regarded as helpful for cold-type aches, irregular menstruation and a cold lower abdomen.
- Caution: those with yin-deficiency heat should not drink it.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Morinda (ba ji): Traditionally used to support the liver and kidney, strengthen the tendons and bones, and dispel wind-damp.
- Cistanche (rou cong rong): A gentle yang tonic, traditionally used to nourish essence and blood and support kidney qi.
- Green-kernel black soybeans (qing ren hei dou): Traditionally associated with supporting the kidney.
- Southern dates (nan zao): Add natural sweetness and warmth and soften the herbal notes.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morinda root | ~5 qian (~19 g) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Cistanche | ~5 qian (~19 g) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Green-kernel black soybeans | ~1 liang (~38 g) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Southern dates | 4 | |
| Pork shin | ~half a catty (~300 g) | Blanched |
Method
- Blanch the pork shin to remove impurities.
- Soak and rinse the remaining ingredients.
- Put everything in a pot with 9 bowls of water.
- Simmer for 2 hours until reduced to 4–5 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup has a mild herbal note but isn’t bitter. It is traditionally regarded as helpful for kidney-yang weakness, but those with yin-deficiency heat should not drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Joey): Can I drink this soup if I tend to get “heaty” easily? Bro Niu: Morinda (ba ji) in the soup is warming, so you can swap it for 5 qian of neutral-natured mulberry mistletoe (sang ji sheng) — the prepared form is even better, with no astringency.
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Q (Xinyu): Can I leave out the black beans? My mother is 72, losing muscle and getting thinner; but black beans always give her gout. Bro Niu: You can replace the black beans with chestnuts. A high-speed blender is also handy — blend small millet, rice, pumpkin, carrot and some chicken into a congee-like purée for easier digestion and absorption; it helps improve her constitution.
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Q (Rita): Any food-therapy after surgery for uterine fibroids? Bro Niu: After uterine-fibroid surgery you can use astragalus and codonopsis 3 qian each, yam 1 liang, goji 3 qian and 5 red dates simmered with lean pork (about 1.5 hours down to 4 bowls; split over 2 days, 3 doses). Afterwards, eat fewer hormone-raised poultry and pond fish, and go easy on bird’s nest and snow-frog jelly.
Published February 9, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
