“In Guangdong, no meal is complete without soup; no banquet is without soup.” Regardless of the season, various nourishing soups are indispensable. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), “Spring nourishes the liver and dispels dampness; summer nourishes the heart and clears heat; autumn nourishes the lungs and moistens dryness; winter nourishes the kidneys and strengthens the foundation.”Guangdong soup, like Guangdong culture, permeates our TCM dietary culture, reflecting a comprehensive approach in Lingnan culture, playing a significant role in disease prevention, treatment, and health maintenance.
Recommended “Seasonal Soup”
In winter, the climate is cold, and yin is abundant while yang is deficient. The cold temperature affects people’s bodies, leading to changes in physiological functions and appetite, resulting in decreased resistance and increased susceptibility to illness, especially concerning for children with weak constitutions. Therefore, it is essential to adjust the diet reasonably and ensure adequate nutrition to enhance cold resistance and immune function, allowing for a safe and smooth winter.
Ingredients100g of Deer Antler Mushroom (Lu Rong Gu)500g of Pork Ribs50g of Peanuts3 slices of Dried Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)1 Corn Cob3 slices of Ginger(Serves 3 to 5 people)
Effects:Deer Antler Mushroom is warm in nature, enters the Kidney meridian, assists in storing essence, and has the effects of tonifying the kidneys and yang, nourishing essence and blood, replenishing qi, and strengthening the foundation. Dried Tangerine Peel is bitter and pungent, warm in nature, and helps regulate qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, and transform phlegm. Pork ribs nourish yin and yang, benefit essence and blood. Peanuts strengthen the spleen and stomach, promote kidney function, and regulate qi and lactation. Corn nourishes the spleen and stomach, replenishes qi and blood, promotes diuresis, and alleviates thirst.
Suitable for:The Deer Antler Mushroom, Dried Tangerine Peel, Peanut, Corn, and Pork Rib Soup is a medicinal soup that harmonizes yin and yang, nourishes yin and supplements yang, strengthens the kidneys and spleen, and replenishes qi and blood. It is particularly suitable for symptoms of yin-yang imbalance after recovery from illness, and is appropriate for all ages.Expert Commentary:Pork ribs have the effects of nourishing yin and yang, benefiting essence and blood, and are effective for conditions such as heat disease injuring fluids, thirst, weakness, postpartum blood deficiency, dry cough, and constipation. They help replenish deficiency, nourish yin, moisten dryness, nourish the liver and kidneys, improve skin hydration, promote bowel movements, and alleviate thirst. Pork ribs can be used in dietary therapy to replenish qi and regulate the body’s deficiency of middle qi, while also strengthening the spleen and stomach, fortifying bones, and enhancing immune function, providing rich calcium for the elderly and children due to their high content of calcium phosphate, collagen, and bone glycoprotein.Tips: Deer Antler Mushroom is a very delicious edible fungus, scientifically known as Coral Mushroom, and is loved by many. There are many ways to prepare Deer Antler Mushroom; it can be stir-fried, used in soups, or stir-fried with bell peppers and shredded meat. People love Deer Antler Mushroom not only for its versatility and good taste but also for its numerous medicinal benefits.
Preparation Steps
- Clean the pork ribs, cut into large pieces, and blanch in water for later use; soak the dried tangerine peel.
- Place all main ingredients into a clay pot, adding 2500ml of water (about 10 bowls of water).
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 1 hour. Add an appropriate amount of salt to taste before serving warm.
Source｜Jiangmen Wuyi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital
Editor｜Shanlai Editing Team