Soups
Chinese Yam, Fritillaria and Dried Crocodile Meat Soup
Traditionally nourishes the lung, spleen and kidney to support breathing
Why people make this soup
In Chinese tradition, wheezing is sorted into “excess” and “deficiency” patterns — and within deficiency, lung-weak and kidney-weak types. Bro Niu offers this slow-simmered yam, fritillaria and dried crocodile meat soup for the deficiency type: when the breathing is short, the cough lingers, the phlegm is thin, clear and white, and the voice is low and faint. It is traditionally valued for nourishing three organ systems at once — lung, spleen and kidney.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits weak-type / cold-type wheezing: thin clear white phlegm, pale complexion, low voice — when NOT in an acute flare.
- Not for hot-type wheezing (thick yellow phlegm, fever, flushed face, prefers cold drinks).
- Do not drink while a fever or an unresolved cold is present.
- Asthma is serious — work with your doctor; food therapy is supportive only.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chinese yam (huai shan): traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen and supporting the lung and kidney.
- Fox nut (qian shi): valued for supporting the spleen and steadying the body’s resources.
- Fritillaria (chuan bei): a classic herb associated with easing phlegm and calming an over-reactive airway; suitable in both cold and hot patterns.
- Tangerine peel (chen pi): traditionally helps move qi and resolve phlegm.
- Dried crocodile meat (e yu rou): warming by nature, traditionally associated with supporting the lung and kidney.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese yam (huai shan) | 1 tael (~38 g) | |
| Fox nut (qian shi) | 1 tael (~38 g) | Ordinary qian shi is fine |
| Fritillaria (chuan bei) | 3 mace (~11 g) | |
| Tangerine peel (chen pi) | 1 piece | |
| Dried crocodile meat (e yu rou gan) | 2 taels (~75 g) | |
| Water | 8 bowls | Reduce to 3–4 bowls |
Method
- Rinse and soak all the ingredients in clean water.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer about 3 hours, down to 3–4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Dried crocodile meat is traditionally regarded as a good food for the lung and kidney and a help with wheezing. Adding one partridge to the pot makes it even better. This soup is also associated with easing bronchial spasm.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Prudence): Should I use plain euryale seed or processed euryale seed? Bro Niu: Ordinary qian shi (euryale seed) is fine.
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Q (Nic): A pregnant friend has a long cough that turned into wheezing — can she drink this soup? Bro Niu: It is fine during pregnancy. Day to day she can also use ginkgo nuts (cored), walnuts, almonds and figs in soup, which traditionally support the lung, spleen and kidney and help with wheezing.
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Q (JC): Is the crocodile or partridge soup unsuitable at certain times, such as during a flare? And is it right for all asthmatic children? Bro Niu: For hot-type wheezing in children it is not suitable — instead use loquat leaf and apricot kernel with a snow pear. The deficiency/cold type, when not in an acute flare, suits the crocodile or partridge soup. Hot-type: thick yellow phlegm, fever, flushed, constipated. Cold-type: thin clear white phlegm, chills, pale, not thirsty, prefers warm drinks.
Published July 22, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
