Soups
Chinese Yam, Solomon's Seal, Ophiopogon and Partridge Soup
Traditionally moistens the lungs and nourishes against autumn dryness
Why people make this soup
As autumn comes in, the days may still feel hot but the mornings and evenings turn dry, and many people notice a dry mouth, warm palms and soles, or harder stools — the classic signs of “autumn dryness.” Bro Niu brews this soup to head that off: it is traditionally said to moisten the lungs, strengthen the spleen and nourish the qi, with a soothing, blood-nourishing quality that makes it a good seasonal pot for the whole family.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with autumn-dryness signs — dry cough, dry mouth, warm palms and soles — and those wanting a gentle seasonal tonic soup. The source notes it is also suitable during the post-partum confinement month.
- Gentle enough for the family; people managing high blood pressure can drink a yam-and-red-date version. Those who tend to be “damp” can pit the red dates. There are no special cautions in the source, but if a dry cough lingers, please see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chinese yam (huai shan): traditionally supports the spleen and lungs and nourishes qi.
- Adenophora (sha shen) and Solomon’s seal (yu zhu): classic moistening herbs, traditionally associated with nourishing the fluids and easing dryness.
- Ophiopogon (mai dong): traditionally used to moisten the lungs and generate fluids.
- Red dates (hong zao): nourish the blood and round out the soup; ginger warms it gently.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried Chinese yam (huai shan) | 1 liang (~38 g) | |
| Adenophora (sha shen) | 5 qian (~19 g) | |
| Solomon’s seal (yu zhu) | 5 qian (~19 g) | |
| Ophiopogon (mai dong) | 5 qian (~19 g) | |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 6 | Pit them if you tend to be damp |
| Partridge (zhe gu) | 1 | Or substitute pork shin or fresh fish |
| Ginger | 2 slices | Can omit if using pork instead of partridge |
Method
- Clean and dress the partridge, then blanch it briefly to remove scum.
- Rinse and soak the remaining ingredients.
- Put everything in a soup pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer about 2 hours, reducing to roughly 4 bowls.
- Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
If you cannot find partridge, pork shin or a fresh fish fillet works just as well. This soup also has a nourishing, calming quality and makes a good autumn wellness pot. People who run damp can pit the red dates; if using pork instead of partridge you can leave out the ginger.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Lisa): Do the red dates need to be pitted? Bro Niu: If you tend to be damp it is better to pit them; if you are not a damp type, leaving them whole is fine.
- Q (zhu zai): Is this soup suitable during the post-partum confinement month? Bro Niu: This soup is suitable to drink during confinement.
- Q (fanny): My mother has high blood pressure and is having her medication adjusted at the hospital — can she drink yam soup, and can I add red dates? Bro Niu: With her high blood pressure she can drink yam-and-red-date soup, no problem.
Published September 9, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
