Lily Bulb, Lotus Seed, Snow Pear and Lean Pork Soup

Main Ingredients

• Lean pork 300g
• Dried lily bulbs 20g
• Dried lotus seeds (core-removed) 20g
• Snow pear 1 pc
• Fresh ginger 3 slices
• Goji berries 10g
• Rock sugar 15-20g
• Water approx. 1.8-2L
• Salt to taste

Steps

1. Cut lean pork into approx. 2cm cubes. Blanch in cold water with 1 slice of ginger, bring to a boil, skim off foam, boil for about 3 minutes, then rinse with warm water and drain. Soak dried lily bulbs in warm water for 2 hours, rinse and drain. Soak dried lotus seeds in warm water for 1-2 hours, remove any remaining green cores, rinse and drain. Scrub the snow pear with salt, rinse well, and cut into approx. 2cm chunks with the skin on. Rinse goji berries.

   

2. Place the blanched pork, soaked lily bulbs and lotus seeds, pear chunks (and pear skins if reserved), and remaining ginger slices into a clay pot or stewing pot. Add water (approx. 1.8L). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5-2 hours until the lotus seeds are soft and floury, the lily bulbs turn tender, the pear becomes translucent, and the pork is tender.

   

3. 10 minutes before serving, add goji berries and rock sugar (or salt, depending on preference). Stir well to dissolve the sugar. If pear skins were used, remove and discard them at this point.

   

4. Ladle into bowls and serve warm. Serve warm for a soothing treat or chilled for a refreshing dessert – both are delightful.

   

TCM Notes

Lung-moistening, cough-relieving & fluid-producing (core benefit): Lily bulbs are rich in mucilage and lilioside – they nourish lung yin, calm the mind, and relieve dry cough and restlessness. Snow pear, cool in nature and sweet in taste, acts on the lung and stomach meridians, clearing lung heat, resolving phlegm, and relieving dry cough and sore throat. Together, they double the lung-moistening effect. Heart-calming, mind-soothing & sleep-improving: Liensinine and aromatic glycosides in lotus seeds have sedative effects on the central nervous system, relieving insomnia, restlessness and frequent dreams. Lily glycosides in lily bulbs provide additional calming effects – doubling the mind-soothing power, especially suitable for anxiety, neurasthenia, and menopausal irritability. Strengthening & high-quality protein: Lean pork provides high-quality animal protein and heme iron – nourishing the body and preventing nutritional deficiency during long-term moistening diets. Moisturizing & beautifying: Snow pear is over 85% water, rich in sorbitol and fructose, quickly moisturizing the throat and digestive mucosa. Antioxidants in lily bulbs and pear help scavenge free radicals, delay aging, and improve skin condition. Spleen-strengthening & anti-diarrheal: Lotus seeds are sweet and astringent – they help consolidate the intestines, improving chronic diarrhea and frequent nocturia caused by spleen deficiency.

Suitable for：Those with lung-dry coughs, dry throat, or hoarseness Those suffering from insomnia, restlessness, frequent dreaming, or neurasthenia Menopausal women (nourishing yin, relieving hot flashes and irritability) Those with late-night habits, smoking, overuse of voice, or working in AC/dry environments Those needing seasonal lung-moistening during autumn and winter Those recovering from illness needing gentle nourishment (sugar-free version) Health-conscious individuals seeking a nourishing sweet soup (with rock sugar)

Not suitable for：Those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, loose stools, or diarrhea (Use with caution!)：Lily bulbs and snow pear are both cool-moist in nature, and lotus seeds, while astringent, are overall cooling – this combination may worsen deficiency-cold symptoms. If consuming, omit rock sugar, add 5 slices of fresh ginger and 5 red dates to balance the coolness, limit to 1 small bowl (~150ml), and avoid long-term continuous use. Wind-cold cough (Absolute contraindication!)：Symptoms include deep cough with thin white phlegm, clear runny nose, chills without sweating – this soup is specifically for "dry" and "heat" coughs. Using it for wind-cold will trap pathogens. Diabetics (extreme caution)：This soup contains natural fructose from pear and optional added rock sugar – with a moderate-to-high glycemic load. Omit rock sugar entirely, rely solely on the pear's natural sweetness, limit to ≤100ml, and monitor blood glucose post-meal. Severe constipation or dry hard stools (Use with caution!)：Lotus seeds are astringent and reduce intestinal moisture, worsening constipation. Such individuals should reduce lotus seed amount (to less than 10g) or omit them entirely and only consume lily-pear-pork soup. Acute diarrhea or enteritis: Wait until symptoms subside before consuming. Abdominal bloating or food stagnation: The astringent nature of lotus seeds may worsen indigestion and gas. Those allergic to lily bulbs, lotus seeds, snow pear, or pork (rare).