Walnut and Polygonatum Intelligence-Nourishing Soup

Why people make this broth

Managing hyperactivity and attention difficulties is a long journey, and Nourilo has always emphasized that food therapy works best as a supportive companion alongside professional care — not a replacement. The goal here is not to “fix” a condition but to provide the body with nourishment that, in traditional Chinese thinking, is associated with calming scattered energy, supporting blood flow to the brain, and helping the heart and spleen work in better harmony.

Walnuts have long been regarded in both Chinese and Western traditions as a brain-supporting food — their resemblance to the human brain is not lost on traditional herbalists. Combined with Solomon’s seal (which is gently tonifying and moistening without causing heat), longan flesh (for blood nourishment and heart calming), and goji berries (for liver and kidney support), this broth is mild, slightly sweet, and easy for children to accept. It can also be prepared as a sweet dessert by adding rock sugar.

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients briefly.
2. Combine in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 1 hour until reduced to about 600 ml.
4. Serve the broth and encourage eating some of the solid ingredients.
5. For a dessert version, add rock sugar and stir to dissolve before serving.

Nourilo’s Tips

This broth can also be cooked with 2 quail birds for a more substantial meal-style soup that nourishes all five organ systems more broadly. If your child is recovering from a cold, wait until fully well before starting. For children with ADHD tendencies, Nourilo also suggests reducing foods with artificial colours, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and spicy condiments from the diet, as these are traditionally thought to aggravate internal heat and scatter mental energy. A small amount of coffee, interestingly, is noted in traditional texts to have a calming rather than stimulating effect in such children.