Cordycep Flowers Dang Shen Soup

 

Have you wonder why you are always fatigued or short of breath though you sleep or eat well?   It could be a sign of lung or spleen deficiency of low energy!  Cordyceps flowers is known to be beneficial in respiratory tract problems (eg: asthma, cold, cough, flu, etc) and improves liver & kidney health. In addition, in Chinese herbology, Dang Shen is known to be beneficial in lung & spleen health and boost up our body’s oxygen as well as blood circulation.

 

Serving size: 4 persons = 4 rice bowls.

Prep Time  : 30 mins

Cook Time : 3 hour

Total Time  : 3 ½ hours

 

Benefits: Helps to strengthen health of cardiovascular system, lung, kidney, liver, spleen & immune system, etc.

 

Ingredients

(1) Chicken thigh – 1 no, remove skin.

(2) Cordyceps Flowers – 40 nos.  Wash & soak in hot water for 10 minutes to remove its muddy smell.

(3) Dang Shen – 32 thin slices. (8 grams).

(4) Dried Small Mushrooms – 12 nos.   Wash & soak in some hot water for 10-20 minutes to soften it. After 20 minutes, rinse with water.

(5) Ginger – 2 thin slices.

(6) Red dates (seedless) – 4 nos.

(7) Goji Berries – 12 nos.

(8) Olive Oil –  1 teaspoon.   Alternative healthy oils eg: chia seeds oil or coconut oil, etc.

(9) Pepper to taste.

(10) Salt – 1 teaspoon.

(11) Water – 900-1000ml. (250 ml water = 1 rice bowl size)   Healthy water choice: Purified, distilled or mineral water.

* Daily recommended dosage of Dang Shen not more than 30 grams, Ginger mot more than 4 grams, Goji Berries 15-30 grams and small Red Dates 3-20 nos.

 

Preparation

(1) Parboil Chicken meat in hot water for 1 minute to remove impurities.  Discard the water and wash the chicken clear of excess fats.

(2) Put all ingredients together with water EXCEPT Goji Berries, Olive Oil, Pepper and Salt, into a stewing pot (Healthier choice: glass, corning or clay pot), then turn on high flame.  Once the water start to boil, turn to low flame and stew for 3 hours.

(3) After 3 hours, discard soup’s impurities, add washed Goji Berries, Olive Oil, Pepper and Salt, then stir well.  Turn off flame and let the soup steep for 10 minutes before serving.

 

Note

(1) Suitable for everyone and especially for those with lung & spleen deficiency of low energy: take this soup daily for 1 week & for maintenance: take 2 times weekly.  For those who always feel fatigue in the morning, to take this soup in the morning.

(2) Moderate intake of Goji Berries if you are pregnant or breast-feeding because Goji Berries contain a chemical known as Betaine which may cause miscarriage.

(3) Moderate intake of Cordyceps Flowers and Mushrooms for those who have Gout, Skin Allergies or Auto-immune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc because they contain uric acid (Purine) which may aggravate their conditions.

(4) For those who are on hypothyroidism medication, take Cordyceps Flowers and Mushrooms in moderation.  BUT for those who have hyperthyroidism, to avoid taking Cordyceps Flowers and Mushrooms because the iodine in Cordyceps Flowers and Mushrooms may increase thyroid hormones level.

(5) Cordyceps Flowers & Dang Shen may cause some side effects including dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea, upset stomach & a blood condition called thrombocytopenia, etc so if you experiences such symptoms, do take in moderation.

(6) Cordyceps Flowers, Dang Shen and Red Dates have not enough reliable information about the safety intake for pregnant or breastfeeding women if you are pregnant or breast feeding so take in moderation.

(7) Moderate intake of Cordyceps Flowers, Dang Shen and Ginger for those who are on blood thinning medications or have bleeding disorders because Cordyceps Flowers, Dang Shen and Ginger may slow down blood clotting.

(8) Ginger & Red Dates might increase your insulin level or lower your blood sugar level so take in moderation.

(9) Cordyceps Flowers, Dang Shen and Ginger might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking them at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

(10) Red Dates might interfere the blood sugar levels during and after surgery. Stop taking it at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

(11) For Thyroid health:  Add some cruciferous vegetables eg: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower or mustard vegetables, etc to balance your thyroid hormones level.

(12) For vegetarians:  Remove the chicken and reduce the cooking time from 3 hours to 1 hour.

 

Caution: To drink this soup at an interval of ½ to 1 hours from medications.  If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or having any medical conditions, please seek your health expert before consuming this soup.