Soups
Fresh Chinese Yam, Euryale Seed and Hyacinth Bean Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally supports spleen and stomach health, reduces dampness, and helps firm loose stools
Why people make this soup
In Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are considered the foundation of good health — the organ system responsible for transforming food into the energy and blood the entire body depends on. When this system is out of balance — particularly in humid, wet weather — common signs include fatigue that does not lift after sleeping, poor appetite, loose stools, and a general feeling of heaviness. These are all what Chinese medicine calls “dampness” symptoms. This soup is Bro Niu’s preferred remedy for that particular kind of sluggish, bloated, under-energised feeling. It is mild, nourishing, and easy on the digestive system — the kind of soup you could eat every few days without it ever feeling too heavy. And during times when immunity matters, a well-functioning digestive system is your best starting point.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for the whole family, including the elderly and young children.
- Particularly helpful for those with chronic loose stools, chronic diarrhoea, or kidney-related concerns.
- Not suitable for those with an active cold or flu (wait until the illness passes).
- Not suitable for those with a tendency toward chronic constipation.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh Chinese yam (xian huai shan): Gently tonifies the spleen, stomach, lungs, and kidneys. Fresh yam has a delicate, slightly sweet quality and is easier on sensitive digestive systems than the dried version. The variety known as “iron stick yam” (tie gun huai shan) is considered especially good.
- Euryale seed (qian shi): Sometimes called fox nut; traditionally known as “ginseng of the water” for its remarkably nourishing quality. Associated with supporting kidney essence, strengthening the spleen, and stopping diarrhoea. Long-term consumption is also said to reduce excess phlegm production.
- Hyacinth bean (bian dou): One of the classic spleen-supporting ingredients; helps clear dampness, regulate the digestive system, and improve absorption.
- Red dates (hong zao): Support qi and blood; add a pleasant natural sweetness and help moderate the formula.
- Lean pork (shou rou): Protein and body for the broth; neutral in temperature.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls / serves 4)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Chinese yam (xian huai shan) | 150 g (4 liang) | Peel, rinse, and cut into sections |
| Euryale seed (qian shi) | 37 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Hyacinth bean (bian dou) | 37 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 6 pieces | Remove pits |
| Lean pork (shou rou) | 225 g (6 liang) | Slice and blanch briefly to remove impurities |
Method
- Peel the fresh yam, rinse well, and cut into sections.
- Soak and rinse the euryale seed and hyacinth bean.
- Pit the red dates.
- Slice the pork and blanch briefly in boiling water; drain and rinse.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls (about 2 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1.5 hours until the liquid reduces to approximately 4 to 5 bowls.
- Serve the broth and eat the yam, euryale, and other solid ingredients for maximum benefit.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup has a light, naturally sweet fragrance — nothing heavy or medicinal about it. The euryale seeds in the photo are the whole unprocessed variety; they are particularly high in nutrients and are a wonderful food for both young children and the elderly. For those who have difficulty eating the solid ingredients (elderly relatives with poor teeth, for example), Bro Niu’s tip is to scoop some of the cooked solids out, blend them briefly with a mini blender, and stir into congee — this way all the goodness is captured. Note: if you cannot find fresh yam, substitute 1 liang of dried yam slices.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (JK): Two elderly relatives both have severe diabetes — one suffers from chronic diarrhoea, the other has urgency and memory problems. I have been making this soup but it does not seem to be helping the diarrhoea much. Bro Niu: Loose stools in the elderly with a weak spleen can be stubborn. If food therapy is not producing results, it is worth seeing a doctor to rule out irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause many episodes of diarrhoea a day and worsens with emotional stress. Chinese yam, lotus seed, euryale, and dry-fried hyacinth bean all help firm the stool, but for best results try eating some of the solids rather than just drinking the broth. You can also scoop the cooked solids out and blend them into congee.
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Q (Vane): My whole family has a lot of phlegm and our stools are loose and sticky — do we have dampness? Bro Niu: It does sound like dampness. For the phlegm, try simmering pinellia tuber, poria, and atractylodes (5 qian each) with dried tangerine peel and liquorice for about 1 hour to make a clearing broth. For the family’s constitution longer term, a soup of yam, poria, lotus seed, lily bulb, coix seed, tangerine peel, and red dates with pork ribs, made 2 to 3 times a week, will help over time.
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Q (PCA): Can I use dried yam instead of fresh? How much? Bro Niu: Yes — use 1 liang of dried yam slices as a substitute.
Published April 5, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
