Traditional Chinese Name: 女性恩物湯 (nǚ xìng ēn wù tāng)
Introduction:
My herbalist recommended this “special ladies’ drink” or tea because I complained about an irregular period and serious cramps (almost death like). He’s suggested to make this drink in small portions, once a month and drink one cup a few days before my expected start days to help relieve the cramping, calm the body, and eliminate the wetness and then one more cup after the end of the period. Drink this for about 3 months and then see what happens. This is probably one of the more medicinal drinks I have posted and made and to be honest, it smells and tastes as bad as it looks. It’s quite bitter (and he did say to absolutely not add sugar – as it’s not needed) and has a very unique aftertaste. Did it work? I can’t say because this is the second month I’ve drank it. However, all the ingredients suggested are “warm” and individual ingredients do target areas in the stomach, spleen, and intestines. I will save my mixed thoughts on Chinese medicine for a rainy day post, however, my herbalist did say that he has regular customers who do buy, make and drink this (women customers) and they have found it effective. It’s not overly potent for an adult and doesn’t take too much effort to make.
Soak all ingredients in warm water for ten minutes
In a pot of 1.5 cups of boiling water, throw all the ingredients in together and cover
Boil for an hour (while keeping it covered)
This should make about 1 cups worth (for you and only you!)
Serve warm and enjoy (as it is not recommended during menstruation cycles to drink cold things)
Any benefits?
This soup is meant and created for women to help relieve cramping, eliminate wetness and calm the body
It is a warming tea and should be drank warm (or hot)
Reduces the deficiency in qi and blood (similar to post partem symptoms)
Any precautions?
This drink is packed with Chinese medicine and herbs, so take with caution
Not recommended for children (as some of the herbs can be quite potent)
It is not the tastiest drink in the world
Be sure to purchase all Chinese medicine from a reputable source
These drinks are meant to be supplements and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice
Any other information?
I bought this prepackaged and 1 pack cost $22 HKD
Ask your local herbalist or vendor to “make” the pack for you rather than buy it separately (they usually know what to put in it, more or less, pending your body’s condition)
This is basically vegetables and water, but to think that a combination of the right vegetables can be so tasty! You really don’t need to add any additives such as salt, sugar or meat because it really is delicious as it is. Consider using a variety of vegetables as well, such as red beets (which I will try as a recommendation from a friend), potatoes, yams, Chinese yams and more. This soup is ideal for any age group, condition and individual!
What ingredients are required?
3 fresh carrots, cut into large pieces 2 fresh corn, cut into large pieces 1 whole Japanese pumpkin, largely sliced with skin 3 whole red onions, sliced 2 fresh sweet potato, cut into large pieces 3 fresh tomatoes, cored and quartered 2 L of water
How do I prepare it?
Rinse and prepare all vegetables and set aside
Begin to boil your soup water
When soup water boils, add all the ingredients together
Boil on high for an hour
Serve and enjoy! NO SALT NECESSARY!
Any benefits?
Oil free soup
Excellent source of protein and vitamins (especially beta-carotene)
Easy to make soup
Ingredients are readily accessible and available in most supermarkets
Any precautions?
Serve soup with tomatoes to children one year and older
Soup Name: Ginseng Fruit and Gobo in Vegetable Soup
Traditional Chinese Name: 牛蒡人参果湯 (niúbàng rénshēn guǒ tāng)
Introduction:
A very clear and deep sweet soup that is extremely flavorful and rich in Vitamins. Both the ginseng fruit and the gobo root give this soup all the flavor it needs, so no meat is required. You can add a variety of vegetables to it like carrots, corn, chayotes, onions to make your soup creation. The great thing about using ginseng fruit is that the soup actually smells and tastes like ginseng, but without the hole in your wallet!
Soup Name: Chayotes, Chestnuts and Longan Vegetable Soup
Traditional Chinese Name: 合掌瓜栗子素湯 (hup jeung gwa lì zi sù tāng)
Introduction:
This naturally sweet soup is rich in flavors and oil free. It’s a refreshing soup to drink in the summer and can be served chilled as it’s really quick and easy to make. I really like that it’s meat free because you can taste the chestnuts, the longans and all the vegetables. You can add various vegetables such as onions, green radish or tomatoes.
A bean-filled vegetarian soup that packs a punch in proteins. With seven different types of “beans”, it is a hearty meal that is easy to make and light to drink. By adding a Japanese pumpkin, it makes it slightly sweet and refreshing. The soup itself is very clear and slightly sweet. You can also add other vegetables such as corn, carrots, and onions to make it an even heartier broth.
This American-style Chinese hot and sour soup is a very popular thick soup that contains strong flavors not typically found in traditional Chinese soups (namely spicy and sour flavors). It can commonly be found in many Chinese restaurants in Western countries. There are numerous different ways to make this soup, including a vegetarian option (remove the meat-based ingredients). As variations of this soup vary widely as do preferences over levels of sweetness, sourness and spiciness, many ingredients can be added “to taste”.
Wash and soak the wood ear for 1 hour. Trim any hard parts and then cut into 3 cm slices
Wash and soak the lily flower in room temperature water for 30 minutes and trim and remove hard pieces
Wash and cube the tofu
Wash and slice the pork tenderloin into short, thin strips
Boil your soup water / broth
Add in the above ingredients and boil until the pork is cooked
Add soy sauce, vinegar, white pepper and sugar
Beat the eggs in a bowl. While the water is at full boil, slowly dribble the egg into the soup in a circular pattern to create thin ribbons of cooked egg in the soup
Mix the cornstarch in 1/2 cup of hot water until fully dissolved. Pour mixture into the soup and boil to thicken.
Finally, add sesame oil, chili oil and sprinkle the top with green onions
Serve and enjoy!
Any benefits?
Lily flower is said to moisten lungs and alleviate coughs
Wood ear is said to increase fluidity of the blood and improve circulation
Once you have the ingredients, this soup is easy to make and the flavors can easily be adjusted during the cooking process to suit your personal preferences
Any precautions?
Spicy food is considered “heaty” and should be eaten in moderation
