Every time the season changes or when feeling tired, many people's first reaction is to take health supplements or pills. In fact, traditional Chinese medicine has long emphasized "the same origin of medicine and food," and through daily diet, it is also possible to gently regulate the body and stimulate its self-healing ability. The following three simple and easy-to-make Chinese medicinal soups use common ingredients and are suitable for the whole family to drink regularly, nurturing the body from inside out.
1. Astragalus Red Date Chicken Soup - Nourishing Qi and Enhancing Immunity
It is suitable for those who often catch colds, feel shortness of breath and fatigue, and tend to sweat easily.
Ingredients: 1 chicken leg (or half a chicken frame), 15g astragalus, 8 red dates, 3 slices of ginger, and appropriate salt.
Instructions:
- Cut the chicken into pieces, blanch in cold water to remove blood foam, then rinse thoroughly.
- Place the chicken, astragalus, red dates, and ginger slices into the soup pot, add enough water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Add salt before serving.
Regulation Principle: Astragalus is known as the "king of Qi tonics," which can enhance the body's surface immunity; red dates strengthen the spleen and nourish the blood. When cooked with poultry meat, it is warm but not dry, suitable for long-term consumption. This soup can harmonize the stomach and spleen, promote nutrient absorption, and provide sufficient energy to resist external pathogens.
2. Tremella Lily Pear Soup - Nourishing Yin and Moistening Dryness, Alleviating Throat Discomfort
It is suitable for those who have dry mouth and tongue, dry cough with little phlegm, and dry skin, especially during autumn-winter seasons or in heated rooms.
Ingredients: Half a dried tremella, one fresh lily (or 20g dried lily), one pear, appropriate rock sugar, and 10 goji berries.
Instructions:
- Soak the tremella for 2 hours in advance, tear into small pieces; peel and core the pear, cut into chunks; wash the lily.
- Put the tremella into the pot, add enough water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes until it becomes gelatinous.
- Add the pear and lily, cook for another 20 minutes, then add goji berries and rock sugar, and cook for 5 more minutes.
Regulation Principle: Tremella is rich in gelatin, which can moisturize the lungs and skin; lily clears the heart and calms the mind, while pear cools and moistens. Combined together, they can relieve respiratory discomfort caused by dry heat, providing gentle nourishment without being cold in nature.
3. Yam Coix Seed Pork Rib Soup - Strengthening Spleen and Removing Dampness, Improving Digestion and Absorption
It is suitable for those with poor appetite, sticky stools, heavy body, and easy fatigue.
Ingredients: 300g pork ribs, 1 piece of iron rod yam, 30g coix seed, 10g poria (optional), 3 slices of ginger, and appropriate salt.
Instructions:
- Soak the coix seeds for 2 hours in advance; blanch the pork ribs and set aside; peel and cut the yam into sections (wear gloves to prevent itching).
- Place all ingredients (except yam) into the soup pot, add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 40 minutes.
- Add yam and continue cooking for 20 minutes, then add salt for seasoning.
Regulation Principle: Yam strengthens the spleen and stomach, coix seed helps eliminate dampness, and pork ribs provide high-quality protein. This soup can gently regulate the function of the spleen and stomach, promote water metabolism, making the body light and full of energy. As the foundation of postnatal life, a healthy spleen and stomach lead to sufficient qi and blood, naturally enhancing immunity.
All three soups mainly use daily ingredients, safe and free of side effects. Drinking 2-3 times per week, combined with regular sleep and moderate exercise, can gradually improve physical condition. There is no need to rely on medication; start with a bowl of soup from the kitchen, and let health return to nature.