Soups
Panax Notoginseng (Sanqi) & Shiitake Mushroom Chicken Soup
Panax Notoginseng & Shiitake Mushroom Chicken Soup is a classic medicinal soup that combines blood-tonifying and qi-tonifying effects with blood-activating and stasis-resolving properties. Notoginseng and ginseng are known as "Northern Ginseng, Southern Notoginseng". The Bencao Gangmu Shiyi records: "Ginseng is the foremost qi-tonifier, notoginseng is the foremost blood-tonifier – equal in taste and efficacy, hence called Ginseng Notoginseng, the most precious of Chinese medicines."When cooked (熟三七), notoginseng enhances its blood-tonifying and body-strengthening effects. Shiitake mushrooms, known as the "Queen of Vegetables", strengthen the spleen and stomach, and tonify qi. Chicken warms the middle and tonifies the spleen, benefiting qi and blood. Together, they achieve qi-tonifying, blood-nourishing, blood-activating, and spleen-strengthening effects. The soup is golden and aromatic, with tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a subtle herbal note from notoginseng.
Main Ingredients
- Chicken (hen/black-boned/free-range) half or 1 whole
- Panax notoginseng (Sanqi/Tianqi) 10-15g
- Dried shiitake mushrooms 25-30g
- Red dates 8-10 pieces
- Goji berries 10g
- Fresh ginger 3-5 slices
- Spring onion 1 stalk
- Cooking wine 1 tbsp
- Salt to taste
Steps
Notoginseng: Rinse 10-15g of notoginseng. If using notoginseng roots, soak in water for 20 minutes. If using slices, use directly. If using powder, add in the last 5-10 minutes. Soak shiitake: Soak 25-30g of dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water for about 2 hours until fully softened. Remove stems, rinse, and slice large ones in half. Reserve the clear top layer of the soaking water (key for umami). Prep chicken: Wash and cut chicken into small pieces. Remove skin if you prefer less fat. Place in cold water with ginger slices and cooking wine, bring to a boil, skim off foam, boil for 3-5 minutes, rinse with warm water, and drain.
Place blanched chicken in a clay pot or stew pot with 1500-2000ml of water. Add ginger slices and spring onion sections. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam. Add soaked shiitake mushrooms and the reserved clear soaking liquid, red dates, and notoginseng (slices or roots). If using powder, add later.
Cover, reduce to low heat, and simmer for 1.5-2 hours. Simmer until chicken is tender and easily pierced with a fork. If liquid reduces too much, add hot water (never cold).
10-15 minutes before turning off the heat, add goji berries. If using notoginseng powder, add it in the last 5-10 minutes and stir well. Add salt to taste (add salt only at the end – adding it too early toughens the meat). Serve warm.
TCM Notes
Panax Notoginseng (cooked): Sweet, slightly bitter, warm in nature; enters the Liver and Stomach meridians. Cooked notoginseng enhances blood-tonifying and body-strengthening effects. Modern research shows it has anti-arrhythmic, anti-myocardial ischemic, antihypertensive, hemostatic, lipid-lowering, hypoglycemic, analgesic, immune-enhancing, and anti-aging effects; promotes the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Dosage reference: 3-9g in decoction per the Chinese Pharmacopoeia; 10-15g commonly used in medicinal cuisine. Shiitake Mushrooms: Neutral in nature, sweet in taste; strengthens the spleen, stomach, and tonifies qi. Rich in protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, vitamin D, and minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and potassium. Lentinan enhances cellular immunity; lentinain reduces harmful cholesterol and protects the cardiovascular system. Chicken: Approximately 167 kcal per 100g, with high-quality, easily digestible protein. Supplement nutrition and enhance physical fitness. Synergistic Effect: Notoginseng tonifies and activates blood; shiitake tonifies qi and strengthens the spleen; chicken warms the middle and tonifies deficiency. Total approx. 350-450 kcal, 30-35g protein – a high-protein nourishing medicinal soup.
Suitable for：Those with qi and blood deficiency, fatigue, and sallow complexion Those with weak constitution, post-illness recovery, or post-surgical recuperation Those with blood stasis, meridian obstruction, and poor blood circulation Adjuvant support for those at high risk of cardiovascular diseases Those with cold hands and feet, or low immunity Postpartum women with qi and blood depletion (under medical guidance, at least one week after delivery) Middle-aged and elderly for daily wellness
Not suitable for：Pregnant women – notoginseng has strong blood-activating effects that may stimulate uterine contractions, increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature labor Those with yin deficiency with internal heat – symptoms include hot palms/soles, dry mouth, night sweats Those with wind-heat colds or fever Women during menstruation – may increase menstrual flow Those taking anticoagulants (aspirin, warfarin, etc.) – may increase bleeding risk Those allergic to notoginseng or shiitake mushrooms Those with bleeding tendencies (low platelets, gum bleeding, heavy menstruation) – use with caution Those with weak digestion – shiitake mushrooms are high in dietary fiber and may cause bloating Gout / hyperuricemia patients – shiitake mushrooms contain moderate purine; avoid during acute flare-ups Children under 10 – not recommended for long-term use
