Polygonum Multiflorum, Gardenia, and Black-Boned Chicken Soup

Main Ingredients

• Black-boned chicken (silkie chicken) 1 piece (approx. 600-800g)
• Prepared Polygonum multiflorum (Fo-Ti) Prepared Polygonum multiflorum (Fo-Ti)
• Gardenia fruit 10g
• Fresh ginger 8 slices
• Red dates (pitted) 5 pieces
• Goji berries 8g
• Salt To taste
• Water 2500ml

Steps

1. After slaughtering the chicken, remove the feathers, internal organs, and claw tips. Rinse thoroughly under running water. Cut the chicken into large chunks of about 4-5 cm (or keep whole; cutting into pieces makes it easier to absorb flavors). Be sure to remove all fat and residual blood from the abdominal cavity, otherwise the soup will have an unpleasant taste.

   

2. Rinse the prepared Polygonum multiflorum briefly and rinse the gardenia fruit. Place both herbs into a gauze bag and tie securely. Wrapping the herbs prevents the residue from dispersing into the soup, making it easy to remove before serving. If using black soybeans, soak them for 2-4 hours in advance.

   

3. Place the chicken chunks in a pot with enough cold water to cover, and add 2-3 slices of ginger. Bring to a boil over high heat and continue boiling for 3-5 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises. Remove the chicken, rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove all impurities, and drain.

   

4. Place the blanched chicken chunks into a clay pot or soup pot. Add the herbal gauze bag, ginger slices, red dates (if using), and black soybeans (if using). Add enough boiling water all at once (approx. 2000-2500ml).

   

5. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1.5-2 hours. Simmer until the chicken is tender and falls off the bone, and the soup turns a clear, slightly yellow color.

   

6. 5-8 minutes before turning off the heat, add the goji berries (if using) and salt to taste. Remove and discard the herbal gauze bag.

   

7. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm.

   

TCM Notes

Nutritional Value of Black-Boned Chicken: Black-boned chicken is rich in high-quality protein, various amino acids, carotenoids, and vitamin C. Its tender meat is easily digestible and absorbable, making it an ideal nourishing food for those with general weakness. Nutritional Value and Pharmacological Effects of Prepared Polygonum multiflorum: Prepared Polygonum multiflorum contains various active compounds, including stilbene glycosides, anthraquinones, and flavonoids. Modern research shows that its active components have significant effects in anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune regulation, and neuroprotection. It is known for tonifying the liver and kidney, benefiting essence and blood, darkening hair, strengthening bones, and resolving turbidity and lowering lipids. It is suitable for conditions such as blood deficiency with sallow complexion, dizziness and tinnitus, premature greying, sore lower back and weak knees, limb numbness, and hyperlipidemia. Pharmacological Effects of Gardenia Fruit: Gardenia fruit has antipyretic, sedative, and blood pressure-lowering effects, and promotes bile secretion. Modern research shows that gardenia has anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant bioactivities. Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective: Black-boned chicken: Sweet, slightly warm, channels to the Liver and Kidney. Benefits qi, nourishes blood, warms the middle, strengthens the spleen, and tonifies kidney essence. Prepared Polygonum multiflorum: Bitter, sweet, and astringent, slightly warm, channels to the Liver, Heart, and Kidney. Tonifies the liver and kidney, benefits essence and blood, darkens hair, strengthens bones, and resolves turbidity and lowers lipids. Gardenia fruit: Bitter, cold, channels to the Heart, Lung, and Sanjiao. Purges fire, relieves restlessness, clears heat, promotes diuresis, cools blood, and detoxifies. Combined Effect: Black-boned chicken warms and tonifies qi and blood, Polygonum multiflorum nourishes the liver and kidney, and gardenia clears heat — tonification with clearance, warmth without dryness, achieving the combined effects of nourishing the liver and kidney, calming the heart and spirit, nourishing yin and blood, and darkening hair and strengthening the body.

Suitable for：Those with liver-kidney deficiency and essence-blood deficiency (sore lower back and weak knees, dizziness, tinnitus, poor memory) Those with premature greying and hair loss Those with blood deficiency, sallow complexion, and dull complexion Those with restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety Those with hyperlipidemia (adjunctive therapy) Those with general weakness, fatigue, and malnutrition Middle-aged and older adults (daily liver-kidney nourishment and anti-aging) Generally suitable for most people in moderation during autumn and winter

Not suitable for：Those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: Gardenia is cold in nature and may damage the spleen and stomach Those with loose stools or diarrhea: Gardenia is cold and may worsen diarrhea Those with poor appetite: Gardenia is bitter and cold, which may suppress appetite Those with yin deficiency and fire excess: Prepared Polygonum multiflorum is slightly warm; use with caution Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Should not consume Those with acute external infections (colds, fever) Those allergic to any of the above ingredients