Soups
Ophiopogon, Astragalus, Goji and Lily Bulb Soup
Traditionally used to nourish yin and moisten dryness
Why people make this soup
Autumn’s dry air tends to bring on seasonal complaints — a scratchy chronic throat, dry coughs, a parched mouth. Bro Niu recommends this gentle “Ophiopogon, Astragalus, Goji and Lily Bulb Soup” to help the body weather it. It is traditionally enjoyed to nourish yin, moisten dryness, settle a restless heart and ease that dry-mouth, bitter-mouth feeling, while also supporting comfortable digestion.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People feeling the dryness of autumn — dry mouth, scratchy throat, dry cough — and those who keep late nights and wake up parched.
- Mild and gentle, with a faint herbal taste that even children usually accept.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Ophiopogon (mai dong): Traditionally used to nourish yin, moisten the lungs and generate fluids.
- Astragalus (bei qi): Long associated with supporting qi and the body’s defences.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Traditionally considered nourishing, often for the eyes and overall vitality.
- Lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally used to moisten the lungs and calm the heart.
Ingredients (2–3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ophiopogon root | ~19 g | soaked and rinsed |
| Astragalus | ~11 g | soaked and rinsed |
| Goji berries | ~11 g | soaked and rinsed |
| Lily bulb | ~19 g | soaked and rinsed |
Method
- Soak and rinse all the ingredients.
- Place in a pot with 4–5 bowls of water.
- Cook for 20 minutes until reduced to 2–3 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This brew has a slight herbal taste, but children generally accept it. It is especially suitable for people who keep late nights and wake with a dry mouth and tongue.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (anonymous reader): Lately I dream a lot in my sleep and have strong liver fire; in the early morning my throat is itchy with a dry cough. Can I add snow pear to this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, you can cook it together with snow pear — it has a heat-clearing, throat-soothing effect for the lungs.
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Q (Xiao Fu Mao): I often feel dizzy, but my stomach is poor. I tried qi-and-blood tonic pills but my stomach couldn’t take them. What can I eat? Bro Niu: Millet is excellent for strengthening the spleen — cook a congee with millet, red dates and goji; adding some lotus-root starch is even better (I’ve seen it sold at the Yue Hwa supermarket in Jordan, one packet each time). Use the other ingredients freely.
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Q (John): My mother-in-law has high blood pressure, glucose intolerance and high cholesterol, all managed with medication. Her partner recently passed away and she can’t sleep night after night, despite a foot soak before bed and trying sour jujube seed. I’m very worried about her ongoing insomnia. Bro Niu: Have her try 1 tael lily bulb and 1 tael lotus seeds (with the cores left in), cooked in 4 bowls of water down to 1 bowl, taken about 2 hours before bed; it supports a calm mind and restful sleep, but it takes several days to show. The core of the lotus seed helps lower blood pressure and clear heart fire, so be sure to use lotus seeds with the cores in.
Published August 21, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
