What Soups Benefit Liver Health?
1. Crucian Carp and Red Bean Soup
Ingredients: 200g peanuts, 120g red beans, 1 crucian carp.
Method: Rinse peanuts and red beans separately, drain water; gut crucian carp, remove scales and entrails; combine all ingredients in a large bowl, add cooking wine and a pinch of salt. Steam over high heat until boiling, then reduce to low heat and simmer until peanuts are tender.
Benefits: Strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, and reduces swelling. Often used for chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis health maintenance.
2. Tofu and Loach Soup
Ingredients: 2 blocks tofu, 300g loach, 2 slices ginger.
Method: Rinse tofu thoroughly and cut into small cubes. Clean loaches with salt or warm water to remove slime, then rinse again. Remove internal organs and fry over low heat until lightly golden. Add a splash of water. In a wok, combine 1250ml (5 bowls) of water and ginger. Bring to a boil, add loaches, and cook until done. Add tofu, bring to a boil again, then season with salt to taste.
Benefits: Many foods nourish the liver, with protein-rich ingredients being top choices. Tofu is abundant in plant protein and calcium, while loach strengthens the spleen and boosts energy. This soup treats night sweats in children.
3. Gastrodia Fish Head Soup
Ingredients: One male fish head, 50g gastrodia, salt, scallions, ginger, garlic, a splash of cooking wine.
Method: Rinse the fish head thoroughly, remove impurities from the gills, and cut it in half. Wash the gastrodia, slice it into sections, soak in water until softened, then drain and set aside. Heat oil in a wok until hot, stir-fry ginger slices until fragrant, add a splash of cooking wine, then add the fish head. Pan-fry to remove fishy odor for about 1-2 minutes before removing and setting aside.Fill a double boiler with water. Place the fish head at the bottom of the pot, then add the Tianma. Cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 1-2 hours. Season with salt to taste.
Benefits: According to Compendium of Materia Medica, gastrodia is a herb that acts on the liver meridian's qi aspect. Traditional Chinese medicine considers gastrodia pungent and warm in nature, entering the liver meridian. Consumption supports brain health, calms liver wind, dispels wind, and removes dampness. Gastrodia Fish Head Soup nourishes qi and the liver, treating dizziness and headaches.
4. Goji Berry and Pork Liver Soup
Ingredients: 50g goji berries, 400g pork liver, 2 slices ginger, a pinch of salt.
Method: Rinse goji berries in water. Wash pork liver and ginger separately. Slice pork liver; peel ginger and cut into 2 slices.First, add goji berries and ginger to an appropriate amount of water. Boil vigorously for about 30 minutes. Reduce to medium heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, then add the pork liver. Once the liver is fully cooked, season with salt. Serve once in the morning and once in the evening.
Benefits: Tonifies deficiency and nourishes essence, clears heat and dispels wind, nourishes blood and improves vision. Prevents dark circles caused by liver and kidney deficiency.
5. Goji Berry and Lamb Liver Soup
Ingredients: 100g lamb liver, 20g straw mushrooms, 5g carrot, 1 small piece ginger, 10g Eucommia bark, 5g goji berries, 5g Polygonum multiflorum root.
Method: Wash ginger, carrot, and straw mushrooms; slice thinly. Soak the three herbs in cold water, rinse, and set aside.Rinse lamb liver and slice thickly. Combine with ginger slices and cooking wine, mix well, and marinate for 10 minutes. Blanch in boiling water, then drain and rinse. Prepare a broth by simmering Eucommia bark, Polygonum multiflorum, and bones. Add ginger slices, carrot slices, straw mushroom slices, salt, goji berries, and lamb liver slices to the broth. Bring to a boil.Add white pepper powder and simmer for about 10 minutes before serving.
Benefits: Nourishes the liver and improves vision, enriches essence and replenishes blood. Suitable for chronic hepatitis patients experiencing blurred vision, tinnitus, or liver-kidney deficiency.