Soups
Fresh Mulberry, Dendrobium, Cordyceps Flower and Pork Soup
Traditionally used to nourish stomach yin, generate fluids, and support digestion when the body feels dry and depleted
Why people make this soup
When the body’s fluids become depleted — from overwork, excessive heat, illness, or an irregular lifestyle — the symptoms that appear are very particular: dry lips and tongue, a scratchy throat that does not respond to drinking water, a strange sensation of hunger without any real appetite, and constipation from dry intestines. Chinese medicine calls this “stomach yin deficiency,” and the recommended approach is not to stimulate or warm the body but to gently replenish those fluids with nourishing, moistening foods.
This soup takes advantage of the brief season when fresh mulberries are available in spring and early summer. The mulberries are combined with fresh dendrobium stems — the most prized yin-nourishing herb in classical Chinese medicine — along with cordyceps flowers, polygonatum root, goji berries, and lean pork, creating a delicate and genuinely nourishing soup that does not feel heavy or heaty.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited to anyone who experiences dry mouth, dry throat, mild constipation, fatigue, or a vague discomfort in the stomach area.
- Also helpful for those with liver-kidney deficiency showing up as dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, or poor sleep.
- Old and young can drink this soup.
- Mildly cooling in nature — best avoided during an active cold or fever.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh mulberries (xian sang shen zi): Sweet, mildly cooling, and deeply moistening. Associated with replenishing liver and kidney yin, nourishing blood, and lubricating the intestines. The fresh fruit is more potent; if unavailable, use 5 qian of dried mulberries.
- Fresh dendrobium (xian shi hu): A premier yin-nourishing herb in Chinese medicine, considered especially effective at generating fluids in the stomach and kidney channels, easing thirst and dryness.
- Cordyceps flower / mycelium heads (chong cao bao zi tou): The cultivated mycelium form of cordyceps, gentler and more affordable than the wild fungus. Associated with supporting lung and kidney qi, and moderately nourishing without being stimulating.
- Polygonatum / jade bamboo (yu zhu): Gently sweet and moistening. Associated with nourishing lung and stomach yin, relieving thirst, and benefiting the skin.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Nourishing to the liver and kidneys; associated with supporting vision and general vitality.
- Lean pork (shou rou): A neutral protein base that gives the soup a mild savoury depth without being heating.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls / serves 3–4)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh mulberries | 75 g (2 liang) | Rinse gently |
| Fresh dendrobium stem (xian shi hu) | 37 g (1 liang) | Cut into sections; rinse well |
| Cordyceps flower / mycelium heads | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinse; soak briefly if very dry |
| Polygonatum / jade bamboo (yu zhu) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinse |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Lean pork | 300 g (half jin) | Slice, blanch briefly in boiling water to remove impurities |
Method
- Slice the lean pork and blanch briefly in boiling water; drain and set aside.
- Rinse all the other ingredients. Cut the fresh dendrobium stems into short sections.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls (about 2 litres) of water.
- Bring to the boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer.
- Simmer for 1 hour.
- Serve warm and drink the soup. The softened ingredients can also be eaten.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is mildly cooling, making it appropriate for most people — it is not heavily supplementing and will not cause discomfort for those who are healthy. However, those who are currently running a fever or have an active exterior illness should wait until they have recovered. If fresh dendrobium is unavailable, use 3 qian of dried dendrobium instead. If fresh mulberries are out of season, dried mulberries (5 qian) can substitute. Fresh dendrobium is available at Chinese or Asian grocers and herbal medicine shops — look for plump, firm green-purple stems with a clean fragrance and no signs of rot.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Xiao Mai): Can I use dried dendrobium instead of fresh, and how much? How many people does this recipe serve? Bro Niu: Use 3 qian of dried dendrobium in place of fresh. This recipe serves 3 to 4 people.
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Q (Yue Yu): I live somewhere that does not sell fresh mulberries. How much dried mulberry should I use? Bro Niu: Use 5 qian of dried mulberries.
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Q (Xiao Ping): Is this soup too cooling? Bro Niu: This soup is mildly cooling, making it appropriate for those with yin deficiency to drink.
Published March 22, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
