Soups
Chinese Yam, Goji, Lotus Seed, Lily and Soft-shell Turtle Soup
Traditionally nourishes yin and calms the mind
Why people make this soup
Soft-shell turtle is a richly nourishing ingredient that, in traditional thinking, nourishes yin and supports the blood and bones. Nourilo offers this soup for people who feel depleted — with symptoms like warm palms and soles, palpitations, night sweats, dizziness or ringing in the ears — to help build them back up gently. Paired with yam, goji, lotus seed and lily bulb, it is a soothing, savoury soup that also supports calm and sleep.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those feeling run-down, with a yin-deficient picture (warm palms/soles, palpitations, night sweats), and people troubled by anxiety, insomnia or vivid dreams.
- Do not take during a cold, cough with yellow phlegm, or fever — the source is clear that this rich soup is unsuitable then, as it may “feed” the illness.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Soft-shell turtle (shui yu): Traditionally associated with nourishing yin and supporting the blood and bones.
- Chinese yam (huai shan): A gentle tonic for the spleen and stomach.
- Lotus seed (lian zi) & lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally used to calm the heart and settle the mind.
- Goji (gou qi zi) & red dates (hong zao): Used to nourish the blood.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): Warms and balances the richness of the turtle.
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese yam (huai shan) | ~1 liang | — |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~4 qian | — |
| Fresh lotus seeds (lian zi) | ~2 liang | Or 1 liang dried |
| Fresh lily bulb (bai he) | ~2 liang | Or 1 liang dried |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 6 | — |
| Ginger (sheng jiang) | 3 slices | — |
| Soft-shell turtle (shui yu) | 1 | Cleaned, membrane removed |
Method
- Have the turtle cleaned and dressed; blanch it, remove the thin membrane, then pan-fry lightly in a little oil until fragrant.
- Rinse the remaining ingredients.
- Put everything in a pot with 6 bowls of water and simmer about 2 hours down to roughly 3 bowls. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Nourilo’s Tips
This soup is savoury and nourishing, and is also traditionally helpful for those troubled by nervous exhaustion, anxiety, and restless, dream-filled sleep.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Daisy): I’ve heard cancer patients shouldn’t eat chicken because it can trigger a relapse — is that true? Nourilo: It is best to avoid hormone-raised, fattened poultry. Hormone-free organic chicken, steamed or double-boiled with the skin removed, is fine. What feeds cancer cells most is high fat, sugar and dairy, so keep those to a minimum.
- Q (Ada): I have a cold, cough and yellow phlegm but no fever — can I eat soft-shell turtle? Nourilo: During a cold it is best not to take any tonic, so the illness doesn’t take hold. Soft-shell turtle is rich and greasy, so it is even less suitable now.
Published December 14, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
