Soups
Bei Qi, Fang Feng and Bai Zhu Soup (Jade Screen formula style)
Traditionally supports qi, secures the body's surface and strengthens the constitution
Why people make this soup
Lots of people get nasal allergies — the moment the weather shifts, the sneezing and clear runny nose start up. It’s not a big illness, but it nags at daily life. There’s a classic formula called the “Jade Screen” (Yu Ping Feng San), so named because it is said to stand like a screen against invading “evil qi.” It is built on three herbs — astragalus, fang feng and bai zhu — and is traditionally used to support qi and secure the body’s surface. As a homely food, Bro Niu cooks it with ginger and red dates, which are thought to help an allergy-prone constitution.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people who catch wind-cold easily, who sweat from weakness, and who sneeze with a clear runny nose when the weather changes. Children can have it too — for nasal allergies, adding a few magnolia flowers (xin yi hua) is a common tweak.
- As a tonifying soup, it is generally avoided during an active cold or fever, since one should not “tonify” while fighting off an illness.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Bei qi (astragalus): traditionally used to support qi and secure the body’s surface.
- Fang feng (siler): associated with warding off wind.
- Bai zhu (white atractylodes): traditionally said to support the spleen and dry dampness.
- Sheng jiang + hong zao (ginger + red dates): added to warm the dish and, traditionally, to help an allergy-prone constitution.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bei qi (astragalus) | ~11 g (3 qian) | rinse |
| Fang feng (siler) | ~11 g (3 qian) | rinse |
| Bai zhu (white atractylodes) | ~23 g (6 qian) | rinse |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Red dates | 6–8 |
Method
- Rinse the ingredients.
- Add about 5 bowls of water and simmer about 1 hour, down to 2 bowls.
- Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup strengthens the constitution and is also good for warding off chills and colds. For nasal sensitivity with a runny nose, you can add 6 magnolia flowers (xin yi hua) while cooking, which traditionally helps reduce the watery discharge. Lean pork can be added to the pot.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (yan): My daughter had a cold and now has post-nasal drip — can she drink this soup? Bro Niu: You can make this soup for her; for post-nasal drip, add 8 magnolia flowers (xin yi hua) while cooking.
- Q (Ma Ma): My daughter sneezes on and off these two days with clear white runny nose, no cough yet — can she take this soup, and can I add lean pork? Bro Niu: Yes, add lean pork; take 3 doses. Adding 6 magnolia flowers works even better.
- Q (Bee): Could drinking this bei qi and bai zhu soup often cause mastitis? I drank it about 3 times in a month and then suddenly had inflammation. Bro Niu: This soup would not cause mastitis — it may be due to other factors, but you must see a doctor to treat the inflammation; pause this soup meanwhile.
Published November 18, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
