To maintain oneself in a tip top well being, I rely on a healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise included, as well as balanced diet. Normally my family will have tonic soup in weekly basis, to keep flu or minor sickness such as cough, fatigue at bay. I swear on tonic soups not only it gives extra goodness from delicious soup cooked for hours but most importantly boosts the immune system.
I prefer to have my soup boils slowly in a slow cooker. I find that slow cooker is ideal for making herbal soups. Not only does it have a earthern inner pot, it can control the cooking temperature and achieve a steady simmer without close supervision.
This recipe calls for (refer to above picture, clockwise from top):
Cnidium Root: Promotes circulation of
qi and blood, expels wind, relieves pain, calms nerves, lower blood pressure
Wolfberries (
gou ci zi): Improves eyesight, beneficial for the liver.
Red dates: It contains Vitamin B, C, E, P, phosphorus, calcium, iron and more. I helps to promote circulation of blood. Core the seed before consume.
Chinese yam (
huai san): Enhance vigour, promote muscle growth and repair worn-out tissue, and alleviate bodily weakness after a long-term illness. Also use to counter diabetes, diarrhoea, kidney defects, coughing.
and dehydration.
Fish maw: Contains high level of collagen, multi-vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, zinc, iron, and selenium. Has effect of nourishing
yin and kidneys, prevents fatigue, and speeding recovery after surgery.
Codonopsis root (
dang shen): Promotes salivation and aid digestion, relieves diarrhoea and severe coughing, reduces nausea and weakness after severe bleeding, activates metabolism and improves blood circulation, stabilizes nervousness, counters extreme mental and physical fatigue
To use, cut pieces of the root into 3-cm length if they are too long and add to the pot.
American ginseng (center): Beneficial to internal organs, stimulates physical vigour, soothes temperament, promotes general well-being and longevity.
Other than above chinese herbs, you also need
cordyceps (dong chong xia cao) (below picture).
Cordyceps is usually prescribed to people who have weak constitution. It serves a good reputation as an anti-aging ingredient and is popular among ladies. It also improves breathing functions, and kidney deficiency, reduces pain, strenghten waist, knee, immune system and helps to cure chronic cough.
Close up picture of Cordyceps.
Dried fish maw, which I bought from Hong Kong. Need to boil in hot boiling water for few rounds before using for soup.
And of course you will need a black chicken. It is fairly small compared to a normal chicken. Research has discovered that the black chicken's level of protein, vitamin B, 18 amino acids and minerals are much higher than normal chicken while cholesterol and saturated fats are much lower.
Bring about 5 bowls of water to boil. Add all the chinese herbs and black chicken into slow cooker and boil for aproximate 5 hours with high setting on electric slow cooker.
Add a bit of salt to taste before serving.
Hopefully this nourishing tonic soup will boost your immune system, and vitality like I do. Bon appetit and enjoy your nutritious soup from today!
