Sang Piao Xiao, Rou Cong Rong and Yi Zhi Ren Soup

Why people make this soup

Urinary incontinence — the inability to hold urine, or leaking before reaching the bathroom — can be deeply distressing, particularly for older people. In traditional Chinese medicine, this condition is often attributed to declining kidney yang (the warming, activating force of the kidneys), which loses its ability to “hold” the bladder securely. Nourilo’s food-therapy approach uses sang piao xiao, the dried and toasted egg case of the praying mantis, which has been used in Chinese medicine for over a thousand years as a kidney-tonifying, bladder-strengthening herb. Combined with cistanche (a warming kidney tonic), yi zhi ren (bitter cardamom, associated with warming the kidneys and reducing incontinence) and goji berries, this soup addresses the root pattern of kidney yang deficiency.

Method

1. Dry-fry the sang piao xiao in a clean wok (no oil) over medium heat, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and fragrant. Set aside.
2. Rinse the cistanche and yi zhi ren; soak briefly in cold water.
3. Rinse the goji berries.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for about 45 minutes, until the liquid has reduced to 600 ml.
6. Drink in portions throughout the day.

Nourilo’s Tips

• For those who tend to be internally hot (fire constitution), add 11 g of northern astragalus (bei qi) when cooking — this helps to moderate the formula and adds qi-supplementing benefit.
• For children with bedwetting who are school age (6+): this soup can be given 3 times a week. However, if the bedwetting does not improve, a urologist assessment is important for the child’s psychological development as well as physical health.
• An alternative formula for urinary incontinence with some improvement: use white ginkgo nuts (bai guo) 15 pieces (remove the core — the core is mildly toxic), euryale seeds (qian shi) 38 g, ripe raspberries (fu pen zi), and Cherokee rose hips (jin ying zi) 11 g each, simmered with lean pork. This is a broader formula that also helps with white vaginal discharge.