1. Mung Bean and Job's Tears Soup
Rinse mung beans and Job's tears separately. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer until beans are tender. Add brown sugar to taste.
Benefits: Simple to prepare, this soup offers potent health benefits. It clears heat and detoxifies the body. Mung beans are rich in B vitamins, helping alleviate fatigue from late nights. Additionally, staying up late depletes vitamin C reserves, which mung beans can replenish. The abundant carotene in coix seeds also reduces eye strain caused by nighttime work in women.
2. Goji Berry, Red Date, and Silver Ear Mushroom Soup
Ingredients: 2-3 silver ear mushrooms, goji berries, red dates, rock sugar, water as needed.
Method: Select large, slightly yellow silver ear mushrooms and soak in warm water for over an hour. Soak goji berries and red dates together (both can be soaked with the silver ear mushrooms; reportedly, soaking for just over 10 minutes is sufficient). After soaking, rinse the silver ear mushrooms two or three times. Remove the yellow roots and tear the mushrooms into small pieces by hand. Set aside.Add sufficient water to a rice cooker (slightly more than needed, as some will evaporate, but avoid overflowing). Bring the silver ear mushrooms to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 hours until the broth thickens. Add goji berries, red dates, and rock sugar, then simmer briefly.(Note: White fungus may foam over the boil. Adding red dates and goji berries later prevents excessive yellowing of the broth. Use ample rock sugar for sweetness.) Let cool, then refrigerate. In summer, add hawthorn berries, raisins, watermelon, or other preferred ingredients for a delightful dessert.
Benefits: Clears heat, nourishes the complexion, boosts energy, and calms the mind.
3. Lotus Seed and Lily Bulb Stew with Lean Pork
Ingredients: 20g lotus seeds (hulled), 20g lily bulbs, 100g lean pork, water as needed.
Method: Simmer lotus seeds, lily bulbs, and lean pork in sufficient water. Season with salt once meat is tender. Consume once daily.
Benefits: Clears the heart, moistens the lungs, boosts energy, and calms the mind. Suitable for those experiencing dry cough, insomnia, restlessness, or palpitations after staying up late.
4. Codonopsis and Polygonatum Soup with Lean Meat
Use 50-100g codonopsis, 50-100g polygonatum, 250g lean meat or pork spine, and 1-2 honey dates per serving. Simmer with sufficient water for about 1 hour. This quantity serves 3-4 people.
Benefits: Sandwort nourishes yin, clears lung heat, tonifies the stomach, generates fluids, and alleviates dry coughs. Solomon's seal nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and promotes bowel movements. Honey dates nourish the heart, moisten the lungs, and boost qi. Combined with lean meat in this soup, it effectively nourishes and moisturizes the body.
5. Kudzu and Raw Fish Soup
Use 250g kudzu root per serving, washed and cut into small pieces. Prepare one raw fish by removing gills and innards. Simmer with sufficient water. Once fish is cooked, add shredded ginger, oil, and salt to taste. Consume both fish and soup. Take monthly or every other day.
Benefits: Relieves muscle stiffness, invigorates qi and blood, and alleviates muscle pain. Suitable for those experiencing muscle soreness or neck tension after excessive labor or late nights.
6. American Ginseng and Lean Meat Stew
Use 15g American ginseng and 30g lean meat per serving. Steam over water for about 90 minutes. This quantity serves one person.
Benefits: American ginseng is cool in nature and sweet in taste. Beyond replenishing qi and nourishing yin, it clears heat and generates fluids. It is highly effective for those experiencing fluid deficiency, thirst, and dry tongue after staying up late.