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Sweetcorn soup with astragalus

Corn soup on a 'jade windscreen' broth.

Traditional use

Time
Preparation 15 min, cooking 35 min
Makes
4–6 people
Astragalus (huang qi)

Astragalus, bai zhu and fang feng together form the classical formula yu ping feng san, the 'jade windscreen'. In this soup they strengthen the lungs, help prevent colds and relieve allergic complaints such as asthma and an inflamed nose.

Ingredients

  • 750 ml water
  • 12 g astragalus (huang qi)
  • 8 g bai zhu
  • 4 g fang feng
  • 12 g goji (gou qi zi)
  • 5 pitted jujubes, rinsed
  • 2 knobs of butter
  • 1 tbsp diced onion
  • 1 tin sweetcorn (418 g)
  • 250 ml chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp chestnut flour or cornflour, in 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp salt

Step by step

  1. Boil the herbs for 5 minutes on high heat and then reduce uncovered to about 250 ml; strain.
  2. Fry the onion in the butter for 1–2 minutes.
  3. Add the herb broth, sweetcorn and chicken stock and bring to the boil.
  4. Thicken with the chestnut flour or cornflour mixture and season with salt.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

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

  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 149

    Astragalus (huang qi)

    Astragalus membranaceus

    In Chinese medicine an important strengthening herb ('qi tonic') for fatigue, catching colds easily and sweating. NCCIH notes there is little reliable human research.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 651

    White atractylodes (bai zhu)

    Atractylodes macrocephala

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the spleen and regulates the stomach; for diarrhoea and fluid retention, and traditionally to help prevent miscarriage.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 650

    Saposhnikovia root (fang feng)

    Saposhnikovia divaricata

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind; for muscle pain, painful diarrhoea, rheumatic complaints and cramps.

    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
  • 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

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.