Three-Seed, Eucommia and Sea Cucumber Soup (San Zi Du Zhong Dun Hai Shen)

Why people make this soup

In Chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered the root of reproductive energy — they store what is called “jing” (essence), which underpins healthy hormonal function, sperm quality, and egg health in modern biomedical terms. When this reserve is depleted — through overwork, stress, or simply ageing — fertility can be affected in both men and women. Nourilo recommends this double-boiled soup as a sustained, gentle approach to kidney nourishment. The three seeds — dodder, mulberry, and goji — each contribute from a slightly different angle; eucommia bark strengthens the yang side of kidney function; and sea cucumber is one of the rare ingredients that supports both yin and yang simultaneously, without the one-sided “heating” effect of many tonic herbs. Together they form a balanced, practical soup that couples can share and take weekly over one to two months as part of a broader fertility wellness plan.