Pseudostellaria Root, Chinese Yam, Notoginseng and Chicken Breast Soup

Why people make this soup

Some children seem to eat well enough but just never quite put on weight — they stay small and lean, and parents worry. In traditional Cantonese food therapy, this is often attributed to a weak spleen and stomach that cannot efficiently absorb nutrients even when meals are regular. The approach is to gently strengthen the digestive system first, so the body can make better use of what it receives.

Pseudostellaria root (tai zi shen), nicknamed “prince ginseng,” is one of the most child-friendly tonic herbs in Chinese food therapy — it has the qi-nourishing quality of true ginseng but at a much gentler level. Notoginseng (tian qi), which is used here in its cooked/prepared form (shu tian qi), goes beyond simple blood-stopping and is traditionally considered to both nourish and move the blood, support healthy blood production, boost stamina, and enhance learning and memory. Together with Chinese yam and red dates in a light chicken breast broth, this is a well-loved soup for children who need a little extra nourishment.

Method

1. Cut the chicken breast into chunks and blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes to remove impurities; drain and rinse.
2. Pit the red dates. Rinse and briefly soak the Chinese yam, notoginseng, and pseudostellaria root.
3. Place all ingredients in a pot with 2.1 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 1.5 hours, until the soup reduces to approximately 0.9–1.2 L.
5. Serve warm. Drink the broth and eat the soup ingredients, especially the chicken and yam.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is also considered supportive for cardiovascular health, which is why it works well as a general family tonic — not just for growing children. If pseudostellaria root is unavailable, American ginseng (花旗参) can substitute, but add it only after the soup is fully cooked: turn off the heat, add the slices, and steep for 10 minutes before drinking. Regarding notoginseng: raw notoginseng (sheng tian qi) disperses blood stasis; cooked/prepared notoginseng (shu tian qi) nourishes and builds blood — for this tonifying recipe, always use the cooked form. For the soup to double as support, it can also be stewed (double-boiled) instead of simmered on the stovetop — use the same quantities but allow 2–3 hours.