Soups
Lotus Root, Mung Bean, Dried Octopus and Chicken Soup
Traditionally used to nourish the blood and support milk supply
Why people make this soup
Nourilo found big, fragrant sun-dried octopus at the dried-seafood shop and could not resist — dried octopus makes an exceptionally savory, sweet broth. In food-therapy tradition, octopus is associated with nourishing the blood and supporting milk supply, and with protecting the liver and heart-and-vessel health. This particular pot is a classic for new mothers whose milk is low and whose qi and blood feel depleted.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits postpartum mothers with low milk supply, and anyone with qi-and-blood weakness; the soup is gentle and not drying, so the whole family can enjoy it
- Octopus is a scaleless seafood and a traditional “trigger food” (fa wu); people with active skin problems such as acne or eczema are better off having little or none
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dried octopus (zhang yu): traditionally nourishes the blood and is associated with supporting milk supply
- Lotus root (lian ou): traditionally nourishes the blood and harmonizes the body
- Mung bean (lü dou): traditionally clears heat, balancing the richer ingredients
- Aged tangerine peel (chen pi): traditionally regulates qi and helps the digestion
Ingredients (5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus root | 1 to 2 segments | peeled, chunked |
| Mung beans | ~40 g | soaked, rinsed |
| Dried octopus | ~75 g | rinsed, blanched |
| Aged tangerine peel | 1 piece | soaked |
| Chicken breast | 2 pieces | blanched |
Method
- Peel the lotus root and cut into chunks.
- Soak and rinse the mung beans and tangerine peel.
- Rinse and blanch the chicken breast and octopus.
- Simmer everything in 8 to 9 bowls of water for 2 hours, reducing to about 5 bowls.
Nourilo’s Tips
This soup is sweet, savory, and tonifying without being drying. Beyond nursing mothers, men, women, young and old can all enjoy it; taken regularly it is associated with supporting healthy skin and graceful aging.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ah Ying): I’m 60, cold-constitution. You once had me drink ginger and brown sugar, which helped a lot. Now I think I may have an overactive bladder — eat fruit and I’m in the toilet within half an hour. Any food therapy? Nourilo: Try 3 qian each yi zhi ren and jin ying zi, 5 qian fox nut (qian shi), and 5 red dates simmered into a lean-pork soup. Adding pig bladder makes it even better, but soak and blanch it well first or it will taste off.
- Q (PY): My 14-year-old daughter has a lot of red, swollen acne. Is octopus soup suitable for her? Nourilo: Octopus is a scaleless “trigger food,” so anyone with skin troubles should eat little. Teenage acne is often hormonal; instead try 1 tael each mung bean and barley, 5 red dates, and 1 tangerine peel in a young-pigeon soup, 2 to 3 times a week until it improves. That soup is not too cold in nature.
Published October 19, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
