Soups
Wild Jade Bamboo, Fresh Dendrobium, Snow Fungus, Goji and Partridge Soup
traditionally used to nourish yin, moisten dryness, ease afternoon heat sensations, and support night sweats
Why people make this soup
Yin deficiency is a concept that puzzles many Western readers — partly because it can look contradictory: a person with yin deficiency might have cold hands and feet, pale complexion, and fatigue (which look like “cold” symptoms), yet they simultaneously feel a burning or warm sensation in their palms, have afternoon flushing, wake up with night sweats, and feel chronically thirsty or constipated (which are “heat” symptoms). Bro Niu explains this: yin deficiency means the body’s cooling, moistening reserves are depleted, so heat rises unchecked. This pattern is especially common in people who regularly stay up late, sleep poorly, experience high stress, overthink, or over-consume rich or stimulating food and drink over time.
The answer is not to simply drink cold herbal teas — that can worsen the cold-limb symptoms. The correct approach is to gently replenish yin with sweet, moistening ingredients that restore the body’s internal balance. This soup uses wild jade bamboo (a superior yin-nourishing herb), fresh dendrobium orchid stem (one of the most prized yin-tonics in Chinese herbalism), snow fungus (cooling but not harsh), goji berries (supporting liver and kidney), and partridge (traditionally considered to nourish all five organs). The result is a soup that is described as “nourishing without drying out” — meaning it replenishes without triggering the heat reactions that more warming tonics can cause.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited to those with signs of yin deficiency: warm palms and soles, afternoon flushing (especially the cheeks), night sweats, dry eyes and throat, restlessness, dark urine, or constipation — often linked to long-term late nights and stress.
- Suitable for most adults including the elderly; partridge can be replaced by quail or lean pork if unavailable.
- Generally safe for regular use. Those in full robust health do not need this soup as a regular tonic.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Wild jade bamboo (hai yu zhu): A superior form of Polygonatum (Solomon’s seal). Traditionally used to nourish yin, generate body fluids, clear irritability, and relieve thirst. Particularly associated with addressing yin deficiency with excessive sweating and dry cough.
- Fresh dendrobium orchid stem (xian shi hu): One of the most prized yin-nourishing herbs in Chinese medicine. Considered to nourish stomach and kidney yin, generate fluids, and support the eyes and throat. Fresh stems have a pleasant mild sweetness.
- Snow fungus (xue er / Tremella): A white, delicate wood-ear fungus. Considered to moisten the lungs and stomach, support skin suppleness, and cool without harshness. Soak before use and remove the tough base.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): A well-known liver and kidney tonic. Associated with supporting vision, calming fatigue, and nourishing yin.
- South dates (nan zao): Sweeter and less drying than red dates (hong zao). Used here for their mild sweetness and gentle blood-nourishing quality.
- Partridge (zhe gu): Considered in traditional Chinese medicine to nourish all five organs (wu zang). It is less commonly available than chicken; quail makes a very good substitute.
Ingredients (about 3–4 bowls, 3–4 servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wild jade bamboo (hai yu zhu) | 5 qian (~19 g) | Rinse |
| Fresh dendrobium orchid stem | 1 liang (~38 g) | Rinse, cut into sections |
| Snow fungus (dried) | 3 qian (~11 g) | Soak until soft; remove tough base and tear into small pieces |
| Goji berries | 3 qian (~11 g) | Rinse |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| South dates (nan zao) | 4 | Rinse |
| Partridge | 1 bird | Cleaned and blanched; quail is a good substitute |
Method
- Rinse the wild jade bamboo and goji berries. Rinse the dendrobium stems and cut into sections.
- Soak the dried snow fungus in water until fully soft (about 20–30 minutes). Remove the tough yellowish base and tear the fungus into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Rinse the south dates.
- Clean the partridge and blanch briefly in boiling water to remove impurities. Drain and set aside.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water (about 1.9 litres).
- Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer and cook for 1.5 hours.
- Serve the soup with the partridge meat, snow fungus, and other solid ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is described as “nourishing without drying out” — gentle enough for the elderly and children alike. Wild jade bamboo (hai yu zhu) is the superior wild variety, which has a stronger nourishing quality than the standard cultivated Solomon’s seal. Look for it at herbal medicine stalls. If fresh dendrobium is unavailable, substitute three qian (~11 g) of dried dendrobium or three qian of ophiopogon (mai dong). If south dates (nan zao) are not available, coconut dates or dried figs work well; red dates are acceptable but slightly more warming and drying. Partridge is currently only available as chilled or frozen in most markets — ask at the poultry stall.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Qchan, reader): For the past two weeks I have been experiencing heat in my body from afternoon onwards — both cheeks feel warm, I get dizzy, feel chest tightness, mild nausea, and have difficulty sleeping at night due to sweating. I made this soup and felt slightly better. Do you have other suggestions? Bro Niu: Your condition sounds like yin deficiency with internal heat. In addition to this soup, you can try one of these twice a week: Astragalus (bei qi) with mulberries (sang shen zi), ligustrum fruit (nu zhen zi), goji berries, and south dates in a dried conch pork soup; or a dessert soup of lotus seeds, lily bulbs, ophiopogon, floating wheat (fu xiao mai), and south dates.
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Q (Joey, reader): I have been struggling with insomnia for six months — waking in the middle of the night and being unable to go back to sleep. My Chinese doctor says I have deficient fire rising to the liver. Is the jade bamboo–dendrobium soup suitable for me? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is suitable for you. Add one liang of dried lily bulbs to the pot as well — it helps calm the heart and ease the mind for sleep.
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Q (Small, reader — overseas): I cannot find wild jade bamboo where I live. What can I substitute? Bro Niu: Regular Solomon’s seal (yu zhu), glehnia root (sha shen), or ophiopogon (mai dong) all work. Use three qian of each. For dried dendrobium, use the same amount — three qian.
Published February 21, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 5 min read.
