Notoginseng, Salvia, Black Bean and Fig Soup

Why people make this soup

A friend brought Nourilo a bag of raw notoginseng from a trip to the mainland — plump, earthy-yellow roots that, when sliced, show a faint chrysanthemum-like pattern and a lovely fragrance. Notoginseng is traditionally valued for invigorating and nourishing the blood and for supporting microcirculation. While getting the roots sliced at the herb shop, he also picked up some salvia, another classic “blood-vessel sweeper” traditionally used to improve blood flow and keep vessels supple. Paired with green-kernel black soybean and figs, this bowl is traditionally turned to by those with qi-and-blood weakness, kidney depletion, or heart-and-circulation concerns.