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Herbs & Cultures

Chinese medical traditions →

Lingzhi soup with lean pork

Long-simmered soup with lingzhi, Chinese yam, jujubes and goji.

Traditional use

Time
Preparation 5 min, cooking 2 h 45 min
Makes
4–6 people
Lingzhi (reishi)

In China lingzhi has for centuries been called 'the king of herbs': for general health, stamina and a long life. With jujubes, yam and goji it becomes a strengthening, nourishing soup.

Ingredients

  • 2.5 litres water
  • 19 g lingzhi, rinsed and sliced
  • 19 g Chinese yam (huai shan), rinsed
  • 5 pitted jujubes (hong zao)
  • 350 g lean pork, scalded with boiling water
  • 2 tbsp goji (gou qi zi)
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste

Step by step

  1. Bring the water to the boil and add everything except the salt.
  2. Boil for 10 minutes on high heat.
  3. Simmer gently uncovered for 2½ hours.
  4. Season with salt and serve hot.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 41

    Lingzhi (reishi)

    Ganoderma lucidum

    A bracket fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine; evidence for treatment effects in people is limited.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 635

    Chinese yam (shan yao)

    Dioscorea polystachya (syn. D. opposita)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs, helps regulate the hormone system in women and is said to lower blood sugar.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 636

    Jujube (red date)

    Ziziphus jujuba

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet and strengthening in fatigue, anaemia and low energy; builds strength and blood and softens herbal dishes.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 637

    Goji (Chinese wolfberry)

    Lycium barbarum, L. chinense

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet tonic that according to tradition strengthens the yang energy, strength and stamina and supports the hormone system.

    Chinese medical traditions+1

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.