Black Bean, Wheat and Pigeon Soup

Why people make this soup

Waking up damp with sweat — or finding children’s pyjamas soaked through every morning — is a complaint that traditional Chinese medicine places firmly in the category of deficiency. Whether it is a young child’s constitution not yet fully settled, or a woman in midlife whose hormonal balance is shifting, the pattern of “heat leaking out” at night is one that food therapy has long approached with ingredients that gently tonify qi and consolidate the body’s natural ability to hold fluids in place. This warming, subtly savory soup of black soybeans, wheat grain, red dates, and pigeon has been used for generations in this way. It is mild in flavor, not cloying, and suitable for regular drinking over several days.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for children and adults experiencing night sweats (waking up wet), spontaneous daytime sweating, or menopausal hot flashes with sweating.
• For children, use half the adult amount of each ingredient.
• Those who are breastfeeding should omit wheat grain (mai mi), as wheat is traditionally considered to have a milk-reducing effect. Floating wheat (fu xiao mai) is different from wheat and does not carry this concern — check with a TCM practitioner if unsure.
• Those with gout should consult a TCM practitioner about black soybeans.
• If pigeon is unavailable, lean pork or chicken breast can be substituted.
• Add 6 bundles of rush pith (deng xin cao) and 1 liang of lily bulb (bai he) if the child also has disturbed sleep and night waking.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Black soybeans (hei dou): Traditionally linked to kidney nourishment; provide plant protein and iron. Their dark color reflects their association with consolidating yin and essence.
• Floating wheat (fu xiao mai): The immature grain of wheat, available from Chinese herb shops; traditionally considered more effective for stopping both spontaneous and night sweating than regular wheat grain.
• Red dates, pitted (hong zao): Tonify qi and blood, calm the spirit, and add a gentle sweetness. Switching to nan zao (black dates) gives added kidney-nourishing benefit.
• Squab pigeon (ru ge): Warm and nourishing; traditionally used to tonify qi and kidney essence. Can be substituted with lean pork if pigeon is unavailable.
• Fresh ginger: Adds warmth and aids digestion, helping the body absorb the nourishing elements of the soup.

Ingredients (3–4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Black soybeans	2 liang (~75 g)	Rinse well
Wheat grain (mai mi) or floating wheat (fu xiao mai)	1 liang (~38 g)	Floating wheat (from herb shop) is more effective for stopping sweats
Red dates, pitted	12 pieces	Stone removed
Squab pigeon	1 whole bird	Cleaned, cut into large pieces, blanched
Fresh ginger	2 slices

Method

1. Rinse the black soybeans, wheat grain (or floating wheat), and pitted red dates in clean water.
2. Clean the pigeon, cut into large pieces, and blanch in boiling water for a couple of minutes. Drain and rinse.
3. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
4. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a low simmer for 2 hours.
5. Serve warm. The whole family can drink this soup.

Bro Niu’s tips

Floating wheat (fu xiao mai) is the immature, unripe grain of wheat — it is lighter and floats on water, hence the name. It is more effective for stopping both day sweats and night sweats than regular wheat grain, and it is available from Chinese herb shops. For children, halve all quantities. If you cannot find pigeon, lean pork works perfectly well. You can also increase the red dates to just 4–6 and cook without any meat at all, serving it as a tea instead. For those living abroad who cannot find squab pigeon, organic chicken breast or Chinese silkie chicken (half a bird) are good alternatives. North American readers: squab pigeon is available at many Asian butchers.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Coco, 2021): My 5-year-old daughter had her head completely drenched in sweat all night. She has no fever. What should I do? Bro Niu: If there is no fever, you can cook floating wheat 5 qian, black soybeans 1 liang, and honey dates 6 pieces with 5 bowls of water for 1 hour to make 2 bowls. Let her drink this for 3 days in a row — it should help stop the night sweats. Ingredients are available from Chinese herb shops. If she develops a fever at any point, please see a doctor.

• Q (reader, 2019): My son is 3 years old. He’s been sweating heavily at night and also catching colds frequently, has a poor appetite, and a pale complexion. What soup would help? Bro Niu: You can try green-skinned black soybeans 1 liang, floating wheat 5 qian, and honey dates 5 pieces simmered into a lean pork soup. Drink for 3 consecutive days to help with the night sweats. Separately, for his poor appetite and absorption, try slow-steaming 4–5 oz of minced beef with a bowl and a half of water for 30–40 minutes, lightly season, and serve — once or twice a week this works very well for young children’s digestion.

• Q (reader, 2014): I have no black soybeans — they give me bloating. What can I substitute? Bro Niu: You can switch to 8 pieces of nan zao (black dates) instead. No need to use red dates in that case.

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Published October 22, 2014 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.