Chinese Yam Lotus Seed Pigeon Soup

Why people make this soup

Irritable bowel syndrome — the Western medical term for a pattern of cramping, unpredictable stools, bloating and gut urgency — has a long counterpart in Chinese medicine. Practitioners there often link this condition to the spleen and liver: when stress or damp weather weakens the spleen’s ability to transform food, or when emotional tension causes the liver to “invade” the spleen, the gut becomes reactive and unpredictable. This soup is Bro Niu’s everyday recommendation for people living with this kind of sensitivity: a simple, unintimidating broth that gently reinforces the spleen and kidneys, helps bind loose stools, and calms the digestive tract over time. It is not a quick fix, but a steady, nourishing presence — the kind of food that rewards patience.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• People with a tendency to loose, urgent or alternating stools, gut cramping, or a digestive system easily upset by stress, cold food, or humidity
• Those with a weak spleen or kidney qi pattern (fatigue, pale complexion, frequent loose stools)
• Suitable for the whole family — children, adults and the elderly
• Breastfeeding mothers who wish to avoid pigeon may substitute with lean pork, quail, or fresh fish
• If symptoms are severe or worsening, please see a doctor; Chinese medicine practitioners can often help when Western treatment has not fully resolved IBS

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Chinese yam (huai shan / shan yao): One of the most fundamental spleen-supporting foods in Chinese cooking and medicine. Neutral in temperature, sweet in flavour, and traditionally associated with tonifying the spleen, lung and kidney — making it ideal for digestive sensitivity without the risk of creating heat or cold imbalance.
• Lotus seeds (lian zi): Called “the fruit of the spleen” in some traditional texts. Associated with strengthening the spleen, settling the heart, and helping bind loose stools. The brown-skinned variety is considered superior.
• Euryale seeds / fox nuts (qian shi): A firm, starchy seed traditionally used alongside lotus seeds to reinforce the spleen and kidney, and to help arrest diarrhoea. Neutral and gentle — very suitable for long-term use.
• Red dates (hong zao): Add blood-nourishing and qi-supporting properties, and provide natural sweetness.
• Fresh ginger: Warms the middle warmer, supports digestion, and counteracts any excess dampness.
• Pigeon (squab): Traditionally considered more comprehensively nourishing than chicken, associated with supporting kidney essence and overall vitality. Lean pork, quail or fresh fish are suitable alternatives.

Ingredients (4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dried Chinese yam (huai shan)	1 liang (~38 g)	Rinse and soak briefly
Lotus seeds (lian zi)	1 liang (~38 g)	Rinse and soak; brown-skinned preferred
Euryale seeds (qian shi)	1 liang (~38 g)	Rinse and soak
Red dates	6 pieces	Pitted
Fresh ginger	2 slices
White pigeon / squab	1 bird	Cleaned and blanched
Water	8 bowls (~1.6 litres)

Method

1. Clean the pigeon thoroughly; blanch briefly in boiling water, rinse with cold water and set aside.
2. Rinse and soak the Chinese yam, lotus seeds and euryale seeds for 20 minutes.
3. Pit the red dates.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
5. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer and cook for 2 hours, until reduced to roughly 4 bowls.
6. Drink the soup and eat the pigeon meat and the cooked seeds.

Bro Niu’s tips

This is a naturally sweet, mild soup that the whole family can enjoy. If you prefer not to use pigeon, quail, lean pork or fresh fish all work well. The soup is especially soothing during humid or rainy weather, when the digestive system tends to be most unsettled. Red dates that cause excess heat for some people can be replaced with southern dates (nan zao), which are cooler in nature. For those with IBS, Bro Niu recommends looking into Chinese medicine treatment — practitioners often achieve good results where Western medication only partially helps, particularly when emotional tension is a contributing factor.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (李): I have been taking diabetes medication that causes alternating diarrhoea and constipation. Is there a food remedy I can rotate between? Bro Niu: If constipation and diarrhoea keep alternating, please get your bowel checked — it is important to rule out any structural issue. If emotion-related IBS is involved, Chinese medicine is quite effective. Lotus seeds are called “the fruit of the spleen” — a soup of Chinese yam, lotus seeds and lily bulb is a good regular option, with any meat or fresh fish.

• Q (Sandy): I had my spleen removed due to a tumour and have had frequent diarrhoea since. Can food therapy help? Bro Niu: Try a soup with Chinese yam, lotus seeds, euryale seeds and poria fungus (fu ling), 5 qian each, plus one piece of tangerine peel and 5 red dates, simmered with lean pork or spare ribs. Take 2–3 times a week — eat the ingredients as well. This supports the spleen and helps settle loose stools.

• Q (June): My husband has chronic enteritis. Besides this soup, what else helps — and what should he avoid? Bro Niu: Try a porridge of dry-fried flat beans (chao bian dou), euryale seeds and one piece of tangerine peel — 1 liang of each. Cook for 3 consecutive days and see if things improve.

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Published March 14, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.