Soups
Spatholobus, Ginger, Red Date and Partridge Soup
Traditionally used to support circulation, warm the uterus, and assist menstrual regularity
Why people make this soup
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of reproductive age, affecting roughly one in ten women globally. While Western medicine largely manages it with lifestyle changes and hormone medication, Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches PCOS through the lens of spleen and kidney function, excess dampness, and poor circulation in the lower body. This soup is not a cure, but it is the kind of warm, nourishing pot that many women in Hong Kong and southern China have turned to as a gentle daily ritual alongside their main treatment. Spatholobus stem (ji xue teng) is a vine whose cross-section resembles blood vessels; it has a long history of use for supporting circulation and easing period pain. The partridge, ginger, and red dates warm and support the middle.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Women with PCOS, irregular menstruation, painful periods, or amenorrhea, as a complement to medical treatment
- Women with cold constitution who feel chilly in the lower body
- Two servings per week is the suggested rhythm — not a daily soup
- People with active bleeding or a fever should not take this soup
- Dietary notes from Bro Niu: avoid cold drinks and raw/cold foods, reduce soy products, peanuts, and cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts) eaten raw, as these may affect thyroid function and have been linked in food-therapy literature to worsening PCOS
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Spatholobus stem (ji xue teng): Traditionally associated with promoting blood circulation, relieving stasis, and supporting the uterus and meridians; used for irregular or painful periods and amenorrhea
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): Warms the middle and the uterus (a “cold” uterus is a key TCM concern in PCOS); also aids digestion
- Red dates (hong zao): Classically used to nourish blood and calm the digestive system; their natural sweetness balances the warming herbs
- Partridge (zhe gu): Considered in Chinese food therapy to be an ideal tonic for women who are constitutionally weak and cannot tolerate heavier supplements — nourishing yet easy on the body
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spatholobus stem (ji xue teng) | 19 g (5 qian) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Red dates, pitted | 6 pieces | |
| Partridge | 1 bird (~350–400 g) | Cleaned and blanched first |
Method
- Clean the partridge; blanch in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, drain and rinse.
- Rinse and soak the spatholobus stem for a few minutes.
- Pit the red dates.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 1 hour until the liquid reduces to about 2 bowls.
- Drink the broth; you may also eat the solid ingredients. Two servings per week.
Bro Niu’s tips
Partridge is a particularly well-suited protein here because it is considered mild and non-stimulating — ideal for women with PCOS who may react to heavier tonics. If you cannot find partridge, lean pork is a workable substitute. This soup is a gentle, supportive routine, not an aggressive treatment. Combine it with consistent TCM care and lifestyle adjustments for the best long-term effect.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Rachel): Can I use black beans, black wood ear mushroom, and red dates for a similar soup? Bro Niu: Yes — black bean, black wood ear, and red dates with lean pork is a good combination.
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Q (Rachel): I have PCOS and my TCM doctor says I have heat above and cold below. Is this spatholobus soup still okay? Would it be too warming? Bro Niu: Many women have this “heat above, cold below” pattern — this spatholobus soup is still suitable. You can also add astragalus (bei qi) to the party-mushroom-poria soup you mentioned, which helps with that pattern. Red dates can be swapped for black dates (nan zao) if you prefer.
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Q (Catherine): I have hepatitis B and a chocolate cyst (endometrioma). Is there anything I can do alongside medication? Bro Niu: I recommend seeing a TCM doctor at one of the university clinics for proper treatment. As a supportive daily routine, you can try: motherwort (yi mu cao) 5 qian, red dates 5 pieces, brown sugar, fresh ginger 4 slices — simmer 20 minutes, two servings a week.
Published May 22, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
