Nourishing Qi and Blood: The Benefits of Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup

In the cold season, a bowl of steaming Angelica (Dang Gui), ginger, and lamb soup can drive away the chill and warm the entire body. This traditional nourishing soup not only tastes delicious but also embodies the wisdom of “food therapy from the same source” in Chinese dietary culture. I have cooked this soup many times at home, and each time I can feel the warmth and nourishment it brings.

The Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup originates from the principles of TCM and is regarded as an excellent remedy for nourishing Qi and blood, warming the center, and dispelling cold. It is especially suitable for those with Qi and blood deficiency, cold hands and feet, and pale complexion. In ancient medical texts, this soup is recorded as a “good prescription for warming the body in winter.”

Ingredients Preparation

To cook a fragrant Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup, we need to prepare the following ingredients:

• Lamb (bone-in lamb chops or leg meat): 500 grams
• Angelica (Dang Gui): 15-20 grams
• Ginger: 50 grams (about one large piece)
• Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi): 15 grams
• Red Dates (Hong Zao): 8-10 pieces
• Cooking Wine: 20 milliliters
• Salt: to taste
• Cilantro: a small amount (for garnish)
• Water: 2000 milliliters (about 8 bowls of water)

Angelica (Dang Gui), this medicinal herb is revered in TCM texts as the “holy medicine of the blood“. It is warm in nature and sweet in flavor, with the effects of nourishing blood, invigorating circulation, and regulating menstruation. In this soup, Angelica releases its unique aroma, complementing the deliciousness of the lamb.

Ginger is a natural ingredient that warms the body; it can dispel cold and promote blood circulation. Eating more ginger products in the cold winter can effectively alleviate the symptoms of cold hands and feet.

From a TCM perspective, lamb is considered a warming and nourishing food. The saying, “Eating lamb in winter is as warm as the sun,” vividly describes its characteristics. Lamb is rich in high-quality protein and various amino acids, and compared to other red meats, it has a lower fat content, making it easier for the body to digest and absorb.

Cooking Steps

1. Ingredient Preparation

1. Thaw the lamb in advance, rinse it repeatedly with clean water to remove blood. Then place it in a pot, add enough water to cover the lamb, and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Once foam appears, remove the lamb and rinse it again with clean water. This step is crucial to effectively remove the lamb’s gamey taste.

1. Rinse the Angelica gently with clean water, avoiding prolonged soaking to prevent the loss of active ingredients.
2. Peel the ginger and slice it. Wash the red dates and gently crack them with the back of a knife to better release their flavor.

2. Cooking Process

1. In a clay pot or stew pot, add 2000 milliliters of clean water, place the prepared lamb, and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Once boiling, reduce to low heat, add the Angelica, ginger slices, red dates, and cooking wine, cover the pot, and simmer.

1. After about 1.5 hours of simmering, the lamb should become tender. At this point, add the goji berries and continue to simmer on low heat for another 15 minutes.
2. Finally, add an appropriate amount of salt for seasoning and sprinkle chopped cilantro for aroma.

Tasting Experience

The successfully cooked Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup presents an amber color, clear and bright without any turbidity. The freshness of the lamb perfectly merges with the medicinal aroma of Angelica; the first sip of soup warms the body immediately from the stomach to the entire body.

After long simmering, the lamb becomes exceptionally tender, and with a gentle bite, you can feel the meat’s softness. The soup absorbs the essence of various ingredients, delicious yet not greasy, with a lingering aftertaste.

Consumption Suggestions

The Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup is most suitable for consumption in the following situations:

1. Winter Warmth: On cold winter days, a bowl of hot soup can quickly warm the body.
2. Postpartum Recovery: Women after childbirth often experience Qi and blood deficiency; consuming this soup in moderation can aid recovery.

1. Constitutional Nourishment: For those who often feel fatigued or have cold hands and feet, regular consumption can improve constitution.
2. Family Gatherings: As a heartwarming centerpiece on the winter dining table, it can enhance appetite and promote family health.

Cultural Significance

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of “medicinal food from the same source” is deeply rooted. The Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup is a perfect embodiment of this idea. The ancients believed, “Good medicine tastes bitter but benefits the illness; food therapy is gentle and nourishes the body.”

This soup is particularly popular in northern regions, almost becoming a staple recipe for every family in winter. During the twelfth lunar month, many families choose to make Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup on the eighth day of the twelfth month, symbolizing “saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new, health and safety.”

It is worth mentioning that the Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup has various regional variations. Some areas may add Astragalus (Huang Qi), Codonopsis (Dang Shen), and other herbs to enhance the Qi-nourishing effect; southern regions may add ingredients like Chinese Yam (Shan Yao) and Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi) to make the soup more nourishing.

Precautions

Although the Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup has significant nourishing effects, it should not be consumed in excess. TCM states, “Warming and nourishing foods should be consumed in moderation.” Especially for those with a hot constitution or prone to heat, it should be consumed in moderation.

Pregnant women and patients with hypertension should consult a doctor before consumption. Additionally, if you are trying to make this for the first time, you may want to reduce the amount of Angelica to avoid an overpowering medicinal aroma that could affect the taste.

Conclusion

The Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup is a traditional dish that combines Chinese cuisine with TCM wisdom. It is not only a delicious dish but also a gentle nourishing remedy. In the cooking process, we can not only feel the transformation of the ingredients but also appreciate the essence of Chinese dietary culture.

I hope that everyone can feel the warmth and care from traditional food therapy through this soup this winter. Whether cooking for family or enjoying it yourself, you can gain health and satisfaction from it.

As the ancients said: “Nourishing in winter, prepare for the coming year.” May this bowl of Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup be the beginning of a healthy life for you and your family.