Niu Da Li, Lily, Poria, Fig and Pork Shank Soup

Why people make this soup

Nourilo bought some wild niu da li from a Chinese herbal shop. Most people who hear the name immediately associate it with strengthening the muscles and bones, promoting qi and blood circulation, and its traditional use for rheumatic aches and lower-back soreness. But that’s only one side of this ingredient. Niu da li, also known as “mountain lotus root,” is also associated with anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, antioxidant and stress-response properties, and is traditionally used to clear heat, moisten the lungs, ease phlegm and soothe coughs.

Paired with lily bulbs, poria and dried figs in a pork-shank soup, it is often turned to after autumn arrives for lung dryness and dry cough, or for coughs with plenty of phlegm.