Top 5 Traditional Chinese soups for Warming and Ren-tonifying A Guide to Moisture-Expelling and Kidney-Strengthening Elixirs

In the heart of traditional Chinese medicine, the art of soup-making is a practice steeped in history and health benefits. Soups not only warm the soul but also offer a natural way to nourish the body, particularly focusing on expelling moisture and tonifying the kidneys. Here are five traditional Chinese soups that are renowned for their moisture-wicking and kidney-strengthening properties.

1. Congee with Dried Tangerine Peels and Goji Berries

Congee, or Jook in Cantonese, is a staple in Chinese cuisine and is particularly beneficial for its ability to expel moisture and tonify the kidneys. To enhance its properties, dried tangerine peels and goji berries are often added.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of rice

- 8-10 dried tangerine peels

- 1/4 cup of goji berries

- 8 cups of water

Instructions:

1. Soak the rice and dried tangerine peels in water for at least 30 minutes.

2. Combine the soaked rice, tangerine peels, goji berries, and water in a pot.

3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1-2 hours, or until the rice is fully cooked and the soup has thickened slightly.

4. Strain out the tangerine peels and serve warm.

2. Chicken Soup with Astragalus and Ginseng

This soup is a classic in Chinese medicine, known for its ability to boost the immune system, expel moisture, and tonify the kidneys.

Ingredients:

- 1 whole free-range chicken

- 4 slices of ginseng

- 1 piece of astragalus root

- 1 tablespoon of goji berries

- 1 tablespoon of dried tangerine peel

- Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Clean the chicken and place it in a large pot with water.

2. Add the ginseng, astragalus, goji berries, and dried tangerine peel.

3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 2-3 hours.

4. Season with salt to taste and serve.

3. Fish Maw Soup with Dates and Goji Berries

Fish maw, the dried swim bladder of fish, is a highly valued ingredient in Chinese cuisine for its supposed kidney-tonifying properties.

Ingredients:

- 1 fish maw (dried swim bladder)

- 10-15 dried dates

- 1/4 cup of goji berries

- 1 liter of water

Instructions:

1. Soak the fish maw in water for 24 hours, changing the water several times to remove any impurities.

2. Soak the dried dates and goji berries for about 30 minutes.

3. Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat and simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the fish maw is tender.

5. Strain and serve warm.

4. Pork Knuckle Soup with Astragalus and Chinese Yam

Pork knuckle soup is a hearty and flavorful option that also serves as a kidney tonic and moisture expeller.

Ingredients:

- 1 pork knuckle

- 1 piece of astragalus root

- 1 Chinese yam

- 1 tablespoon of goji berries

- 1 tablespoon of dried tangerine peel

- Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil the pork knuckle in water for about 20 minutes to clean it.

2. Combine the cleaned pork knuckle, astragalus, Chinese yam, goji berries, and dried tangerine peel in a pot.

3. Add water and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours.

4. Season with salt and serve.

5. Rabbit Soup with Astragalus and Duanwood

Rabbit soup is another traditional Chinese soup that is believed to have kidney-strengthening properties.

Ingredients:

- 1 whole rabbit

- 1 piece of astragalus root

- 1 piece of duanwood (a type of bamboo)

- 1 tablespoon of goji berries

- Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Clean the rabbit and place it in a pot with water.

2. Add the astragalus, duanwood, and goji berries.

3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 3-4 hours.

4. Season with salt and serve.

These soups are not only delicious but also offer a natural way to maintain health and balance the body's moisture