Soups
Prince Ginseng, Solomon's Seal, Lily, Apricot Kernel, and Pear Soup
traditionally used to support lung recovery, ease persistent cough, and replenish energy in children after illness
Why people make this soup
When a child has been ill for an extended period — coughing on and off, feeling tired, struggling to concentrate, or sleeping fitfully — parents in Hong Kong and Guangdong will often turn to this kind of gentle, nourishing soup. It is not a cure for any illness, but it gives the body something quiet and supportive to work with while it heals.
Prince ginseng, lily bulb, and Solomon’s seal together create a combination that traditional Cantonese food therapy associates with moistening the lungs, settling the mind, and strengthening a constitution worn down by illness. The pear and figs add natural sweetness and make the soup genuinely enjoyable for children who might otherwise resist herbal drinks.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for children and adults; pleasant enough for the whole family.
- Children with no fever: suitable. If there is still a fever, hold off until the fever resolves.
- Can be made savoury (add lean pork or partridge) or sweet (add rock sugar).
- If a child has a sore throat and fever, use this soup only after symptoms have settled; for acute sore throat, a plainer cooling drink such as monk fruit tea is more appropriate first.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Prince ginseng (tai zi shen): A gentle tonic — milder than regular ginseng — traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi (vital energy) in children and those with delicate constitutions. Does not cause the heat or over-stimulation that stronger ginseng sometimes does.
- Solomon’s seal (yu zhu): Traditionally used to moisten the lungs and stomach, and to nourish yin — the cooling, fluid aspects of the body often depleted by prolonged illness or a dry cough.
- Lily bulb (bai he): Long used in Chinese cooking and food therapy to moisten the lungs, calm an unsettled mind, and ease dry or irritating coughs.
- Mixed apricot kernels (nan bei xing): Sweet (nan xing) and bitter (bei xing) kernels are used together to moisten and support the lung. Note: bitter apricot kernels contain small amounts of amygdalin; use only in normal cooking quantities as part of a soup.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Rich in vitamins and minerals; traditionally associated with lubricating the intestines, aiding digestion, and soothing the throat.
- Asian pear (xue li): Juicy and cooling; traditionally associated with clearing lung heat and relieving dry cough. Use with skin for full benefit.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prince ginseng (tai zi shen) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak briefly and rinse |
| Solomon’s seal (yu zhu) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Dried lily bulb (bai he) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Mixed apricot kernels (nan bei xing) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinse |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 4 pieces | Rinse; halve if large |
| Asian pear (xue li) | 2 medium | Rinse with skin on; remove core; cut into chunks |
| Water | 7 bowls (~1.75 L) | — |
Method
- Soak and rinse all dried herbs briefly.
- Wash the pears thoroughly with skin on, core them, and cut into chunks.
- Add all ingredients to a pot with 7 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour until the liquid reduces to about 3–4 bowls.
- Serve in any amount desired; no need to eat the herbs.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is light, refreshing, and naturally sweet — children generally take to it well. For a savoury version, add lean pork or a partridge to the pot; the meat helps nourish yin and moisten the lungs even further. For a sweet version, add a small piece of rock sugar at the end. Either way it is delicious. You can also add fu ling (poria mushroom) and yi mi (coix seeds / Job’s tears) if there is dampness to address — just bear in mind that raw coix seeds are slightly cooling, so use the roasted variety for children with cold constitutions.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (陈小姐): My 6-year-old daughter has a weak spleen and stomach, nasal sensitivity, some yellow nasal discharge after a cold, and a chronic sensitive cough especially in the afternoon. Is this soup suitable for her? Bro Niu: Your daughter can drink this soup. Separately, her constitution — prone to colds, nasal sensitivity, and low immunity — is quite common in children. You can get “Yu Ping Feng San” granules from a Chinese herb pharmacy and dissolve them together with 8 xinyi flowers (magnolia buds) as a weekly tonic, about 3 doses per week. It can help build her resistance and reduce nasal symptoms. Stop once things improve.
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Q (Chan): Both adults and children in the family have a runny nose and a hot cough — can we drink the pear, Solomon’s seal, lily, and fig soup? Bro Niu: Yes, you can drink this soup as long as there is throat discomfort or fever involved.
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Q (MINNIE): I’m planning to make this for 17 people. How much of each ingredient should I use? Can I add apple? I also plan to add dried salted duck kidney (chen shen). Bro Niu: For 17 people: prince ginseng 1 liang, Solomon’s seal 2 liang, lily bulb 3 liang, apricot kernels 2 liang, figs 8 pieces, pears 4–5, apples 4–5 (cored). You can add 4 sliced dried duck kidneys to enhance the savoury flavour.
Published December 26, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
