Prince Ginseng, Solomon's Seal, Lily, Apricot Kernel, and Pear Soup

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.

Method

1. Soak and rinse all dried herbs briefly.
2. Wash the pears thoroughly with skin on, core them, and cut into chunks.
3. Add all ingredients to a pot with 2.1 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour until the liquid reduces to about 0.9–1.2 L.
5. Serve in any amount desired; no need to eat the herbs.

Nourilo’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.