Nourilo

Home-Style Dishes

Huai Shan, Goji, Squab Pigeon, and Sea Cucumber Stew

traditionally used to nourish essence and blood, support reproductive health, and strengthen the body after surgery or illness

In short: Huai Shan, Goji, Squab Pigeon, and Sea Cucumber Stew is a home-style dishe that traditionally used to nourish essence and blood, support reproductive health, and strengthen the body after surgery or illness. It is most often made for energy & vitality, blood nourishment, everyday balance. Total time about 140 min. Key ingredients: chinese yam, goji berries, ginger, red dates.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
20 min
Cook
120 min
Total
140 min
Makes
1 pot
Energy & VitalityBlood NourishmentEveryday Balance
Huai Shan, Goji, Squab Pigeon, and Sea Cucumber Stew

Why people make this stew

Infertility can arise from many causes — some medical, some lifestyle-related. Nourilo is careful to point out that if there is an underlying medical issue (such as fibroids, hormonal imbalance, or blocked fallopian tubes), seeing a doctor is essential and should not be delayed. But for those whose challenges stem from poor nutrition, low body weight, stress, or general weakness, nourishing food therapy can genuinely support the body’s readiness.

This double-boiled stew is one of Nourilo’s favourites for this purpose. Sea cucumber is traditionally regarded as a deeply nourishing ingredient — rich in collagen, mineral-dense, and warming without being drying or overly stimulating. Paired with young pigeon (which concentrates vitality), Chinese yam, and goji, the result is a rich, delicate stew that both men and women can benefit from.

Method

  1. Soak and rinse the dried Chinese yam and goji berries. Pit the red dates.
  2. Clean and gut the pigeon. Blanch both the pigeon and sea cucumber in boiling water for 2–3 minutes each; drain and rinse.
  3. Place all ingredients in a ceramic stew pot (dun zhong / double-boiling crock). Pour in 900 ml of just-boiled water.
  4. Place the stew pot in a larger pot or steamer. Cover and steam (double-boil) over medium-low heat for 2 hours.
  5. Serve warm — drink the broth and eat all the ingredients together.

Nourilo’s Tips

  • Sea cucumber and pigeon together make a deeply nourishing combination that is warming without being drying — safe for extended use.
  • This stew is also excellent for those recovering from surgery, those with blood deficiency, amenorrhea, or anyone experiencing significant fatigue or memory issues.
  • If commercially raised pigeon is your only option, Nourilo suggests substituting with hormone-free chicken or frozen quail for this recipe.
  • If digestive issues make sea cucumber difficult to tolerate, substitute with lean pork for the same base nourishment.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Goji berries · Meta-analysis, 161 participants · 2012
    Compared with placebo (n=80), the goji juice group (n=81) reported greater improvements in several self-rated symptoms, including stress, mental acuity, sleep quality and overall well-being, under a random effects model.Limitation: Outcomes were self-reported symptom questionnaires, and several symptoms showed significant heterogeneity across the four pooled trials of a single branded juice.PubMed 22897500 · 3 more goji berries studies
  • Ginger · Meta-analysis, 23 studies · 2022
    Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger studies
  • Red dates · Meta-analysis, 483 participants · 2025
    Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Ingredient notes for this recipe

  • Goji berries: A few cases of raised INR (a bleeding-risk marker) have been reported in people taking warfarin after drinking concentrated goji tea or wine. If you take a blood thinner, check with your doctor. Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering — Lycium

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

Spot an error? Report a correction

Frequently asked questions

Who is this stew traditionally made for?

This stew is traditionally considered a supportive food therapy for those seeking to conceive, and both men and women can benefit from it. It is also commonly associated with post-surgical recovery, blood deficiency, and fatigue.

What role does sea cucumber traditionally play in this recipe?

Sea cucumber is traditionally regarded as a deeply nourishing ingredient — described as rich in collagen, mineral-dense, and warming without being drying or overly stimulating. The file notes that the combination of sea cucumber and pigeon is warming without being drying, making it safe for extended use.

Can I substitute the sea cucumber or pigeon if they are not available?

If commercially raised pigeon is your only option, substituting with hormone-free chicken or frozen quail is suggested. If digestive issues make sea cucumber difficult to tolerate, lean pork can be used as a substitute for the same base nourishment.

How long does this stew take to prepare and cook, and how many does it serve?

Preparation takes about 20 minutes and the stew is double-boiled over medium-low heat for 2 hours, for a total time of around 2 hours and 20 minutes. One pot yields 2–3 servings.

Should this stew replace medical care for fertility concerns?

No. If there is an underlying medical issue — such as fibroids, hormonal imbalance, or blocked fallopian tubes — seeing a doctor is essential and should not be delayed. This stew is described as a supportive food therapy, most relevant for those whose challenges stem from poor nutrition, low body weight, stress, or general weakness, as part of a balanced approach.

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