Soups
Chinese Yam, Snow Ear Fungus, Apricot Kernel and Lily Bulb Soup
Traditionally supports lung qi, spleen function, and respiratory recovery
Why people make this soup
Even after testing negative for COVID-19, many people are left dealing with what is now commonly called “long COVID” — a cluster of ongoing symptoms including chronic cough, breathlessness, anxiety, poor sleep, brain fog, fatigue, and joint pain. Bro Niu has seen many of these cases and is clear that Chinese medicine, when applied thoughtfully, can provide meaningful support alongside conventional care. This soup is one of the simplest tools in that recovery toolkit. The four ingredients have been used in Cantonese households for generations and together are traditionally associated with nourishing the lung qi, calming the digestive system, and easing respiratory discomfort. It is mild enough for children — and because it can be made savoury or sweet, even picky eaters tend to accept it.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults and children; ideal during and after respiratory illness recovery
- Can be taken as a savoury soup (with lean pork or quail) or as a sweet dessert soup with rock sugar
- If you have persistent or worsening symptoms after COVID, Bro Niu recommends seeing an experienced Chinese medicine practitioner; food therapy is supportive, not a substitute for medical care
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chinese yam (huai shan): A mild tonic for both spleen and lung; traditionally associated with supporting digestion and lung qi simultaneously, without being heating
- Snow ear fungus (xue er / bai mu er): A popular Cantonese beauty and wellness ingredient; traditionally associated with moistening the lungs and skin, and supporting immune recovery
- Sweet and bitter apricot kernels (nan bei xing): The Cantonese two-apricot combination; sweet apricot kernel (nan xing) gently moistens the lungs, while the bitter variety (bei xing) is traditionally used to ease cough and breathlessness. Used together in moderate amounts
- Lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally calms the mind, eases anxiety and insomnia, and moistens the lungs; particularly valued in post-illness recovery formulas
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese yam (huai shan) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Snow ear fungus (xue er) | 11 g (3 qian) | Soak until soft; remove the tough stem base |
| Sweet and bitter apricot kernels (nan bei xing) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse |
| Lily bulb (bai he) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Water | 8 bowls (~2 L) | |
| Lean pork or quail (optional) | to taste | For savoury version |
| Rock sugar (optional) | to taste | For sweet version |
Method
- Soak all ingredients separately and rinse well.
- Remove the tough base from the soaked snow ear fungus.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour until reduced to about 4 bowls.
- For a sweet version, add rock sugar in the last few minutes. For a savoury version, add lean pork or quail from the start and cook together.
- Serve warm; eat the soup and the solids together.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup works well in both a sweet and savoury style — use rock sugar for a dessert soup, or cook with lean pork or quail for a proper meal soup. Both versions are suitable for the whole family, including children. Because children are generally more accepting of food-based remedies than medicines, this is a practical recovery soup for households with young ones.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Sum): I recovered from COVID 3 days ago but still seem to have symptoms — my airways are very sensitive and I keep coughing. I also have a one-sided headache that reaches my temple, with a visible vein. What food therapy would help? Bro Niu: For the headache, try simmering tian ma (gastrodia root, 11 g), huang jing (Solomon’s seal, 19 g), 5 red dates, and 3 slices of ginger with a large fish head for 40 minutes — drink the broth and eat the fish. For the sensitive airways, try fresh long li leaf (1 liang), half a monk fruit, 2 snow pears, and sweet and bitter apricot kernels (1 liang) simmered into a broth with lean pork. Continue for 3 servings.
-
Q (Ka): My 80-year-old father tested positive 7 days ago and still tests positive. He has a severe cough, poor sleep, and no appetite. What soup can I make for him? Bro Niu: Start with fresh fish mint (yu xing cao, 150 g), dried tangerine peel (1 piece), sweet and bitter apricot kernels (1 liang), and fig (4 pieces) in a lean pork broth, simmered for 20 minutes. This is appropriate for the whole family and helps clear heat first. Once he turns negative, you can shift to nourishing and restorative soups.
-
Q (Cindy): My fever broke today after testing positive. I still have a slight cough and sore throat. Can I drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, once the fever has subsided you can drink it. For the sore throat with cough, also try a quarter monk fruit, pang da hai (sterculia seed, 11 g), and liquorice (7 g) simmered in 4 bowls of water to 2 bowls, to be taken throughout the day.
Published December 7, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
