Soups
Winter Melon, Clam Meat and Dried Duck Kidney Soup
traditionally used to support metabolic health, reduce puffiness, and nourish the spleen
In short: Winter Melon, Clam Meat and Dried Duck Kidney Soup is a soup that traditionally used to support metabolic health, reduce puffiness, and nourish the spleen. It is most often made for digestive wellness, children's wellness, blood sugar balance. Total time about 135 min. Key ingredients: winter melon, ginger.
Why people make this soup
Winter melon (dong gua) is available year-round and is one of the most practical vegetables in the Cantonese kitchen for everyday health maintenance. It is naturally low in calories, gently diuretic, and traditionally associated with clearing heat, reducing swelling, and supporting kidney function — making it a sensible regular choice for anyone watching their blood pressure or blood sugar. The star addition to this soup is clam meat, which is surprisingly iron-rich: 100 grams of clam meat contains around 13.9 mg of iron — more than red meat. Research also suggests that clam proteins may have anti-inflammatory properties and support liver function. Dried preserved duck kidney (chen ya shen) adds a wonderful savoury depth to the broth and also supports digestive health.
What studies say about the key ingredients
Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.
- Ginger
Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger studies
From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.
Safety first — read before you cook
This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
- take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
- have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.
Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes
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