Soups
Three-Vine Safflower Peach Kernel Soup
traditionally used to activate blood circulation, dispel wind, unblock the meridians, and ease discomfort from varicose veins and rheumatic joint pain
Why people make this soup
People who stand for long periods, do heavy physical labour, or are carrying excess weight are especially prone to developing varicose veins over time. Traditional Chinese medicine considers vine-type plants — because of how they grow, spreading and reaching through obstacles — to have a natural affinity for activating circulation, dispelling wind, and unblocking stagnation in the body’s channels. This soup pairs three such vines with safflower and peach kernels to create a decoction that targets poor circulation and vascular stagnation. Safflower is worth a note: both Chinese safflower (Carthamus tinctorius, chuan hong hua) and the genuinely rare and expensive Tibetan saffron (Crocus sativus) are used in traditional Chinese herbalism, but for this everyday recipe the widely available Chinese variety from a reputable herb shop is what Bro Niu recommends.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suited to adults with varicose veins, rheumatic joint pain, or discomfort from sports and physical injuries.
- Also helpful for circulatory conditions in the limbs (peripheral neuritis, chronic leg discomfort).
- Can be taken twice a week as a maintenance formula.
- Pregnant women must not use this soup — safflower and peach kernels are both strongly contraindicated in pregnancy.
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol patients can drink this soup safely, according to Bro Niu.
- Post-surgical patients (e.g. after varicose vein surgery): if there is inflammation or fever at the surgical site, see a doctor first — the soup may be started once a doctor confirms there is no acute infection.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- He Shou Wu vine (ye jiao teng / shou wu teng): The vine of the He Shou Wu plant (Fo-Ti root). Used as a vine herb, it is traditionally associated with nourishing the blood, calming the mind, and unblocking the channels. Different from He Shou Wu root — the vine is more gentle.
- Honeysuckle vine (ren dong teng): The vine of the honeysuckle plant. Traditionally associated with clearing heat, reducing inflammation, and unblocking the meridians. It provides a mild anti-inflammatory quality to complement the blood-activating herbs.
- Chicken blood vine (ji xue teng): One of the most important herbs for activating blood circulation and unblocking the channels. The deep red cross-section of the stem visually echoes its traditional association with the blood and circulation.
- Safflower (chuan hong hua): As described in the earlier recipe: used to activate circulation and dissolve stagnation. A small amount (1 qian) activates; a larger amount (2–3 qian) disperses.
- Peach kernels (tao ren): A classic blood-activating herb that complements safflower. Together the two are a standard pair in Chinese herbalism for blood stagnation patterns.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| He Shou Wu vine / ye jiao teng | 19 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Honeysuckle vine / ren dong teng | 19 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Chicken blood vine / ji xue teng | 19 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Safflower (chuan hong hua) | 6–7 flowers (1 qian dry) | Rinse briefly |
| Peach kernels (tao ren) | 11 g (3 qian) | Rinse |
Method
- Rinse the safflower briefly. Soak and rinse the remaining herbs.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 5–6 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, until approximately 2 bowls of broth remain.
- Strain out the herbs and drink the broth.
- Take twice a week as a maintenance formula. If there is improvement after 3 servings, continue at the same frequency.
Bro Niu’s tips
The dried safflower sold in general herb shops (chuan hong hua / Carthamus tinctorius) is very lightweight — 1 qian is adequate for this recipe. The traditional principle is: use a small amount to activate circulation; use 3 qian to break up stagnation more strongly. Genuine Tibetan saffron (藏红花 / Crocus sativus) is extremely expensive and counterfeits are widespread. Unless you can verify the source and fragrance, stick with the more affordable and reliable Chinese safflower (chuan hong hua) from a reputable Chinese herb shop or Asian grocery.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Karen ho): Bro Niu, I have small-vein varicose veins in my lower legs — red threads and purple lines, no bulging. Sometimes there is mild pain. My legs also feel heavy and damp in cold or rainy weather. Bro Niu: You can use chicken blood vine (ji xue teng), old mulberry branch (lao sang zhi), He Shou Wu vine (ye jiao teng), and peach kernels, 3 qian each, with ox knee (chuan niu xi) 3 qian, in 5 bowls of water cooked to 2 bowls. Drink 3 servings; if it helps, continue at twice a week.
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Q (scy): Bro Niu, my mother slipped and fell — can I make this soup to help with the bruising? Bro Niu: You can use tienchi ginseng (tian qi) 3 qian, chicken blood vine 5 qian, and red dates 5 pieces, simmered with 1 piece of chicken breast — 5 bowls of water cooked to 2 bowls. Three servings should help with blood stagnation and pain.
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Q (匿名访客): I stand for 10 hours a day at work and my varicose veins are getting worse. How often should I take this soup? Is it cooling? Bro Niu: Take this soup twice a week. For foot soaking, ginger water is practical — dissolve half a tablespoon of unsweetened ginger powder in warm water and soak. Soaking with expensive saffron is not necessary. This soup is not particularly cooling.
Published June 26, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
