Dandelion & Chrysanthemum Tofu Thick Soup (Doufu Juhua Geng / Ju Pu Doufu Tang)

Main Ingredients

• Soft tofu 100-120g
• Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying) 15g
• Wild chrysanthemum 10g
• Salt to taste
• Raw starch (or tapioca starch) as needed
• Goji berries 10 pieces
• Chopped green onion a little

Steps

1. Rinse 15g of dandelion and 10g of wild chrysanthemum quickly, place in a pot with about 300-500ml of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 40-60 minutes until the liquid reduces to about 200ml. Note: Longer decoction time ensures full extraction of active compounds.

   

2. Strain through a fine sieve to obtain about 200ml of clear liquid. Discard the solids.

   

3. Pour the herbal liquid into a pot, add 100-120g of soft tofu (cubed or mashed), and add salt to taste. Bring to a boil together. Note: Tofu can be cut into 2cm cubes, or mashed and strained for a smoother texture.

   

4. Mix a suitable amount of raw starch (or tapioca starch) with a little cold water to make a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the pot while stirring until the soup thickens to a smooth consistency.

   

5. Turn off the heat. Garnish with goji berries and chopped green onion if desired. Serve warm. Once daily, about 1 bowl (200-250ml) per serving. Consume for 5-7 consecutive days as one course.

   

TCM Notes

Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying): Bitter and sweet in taste, cold in nature; enters the Liver and Stomach meridians. Known for clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling, dispersing nodules, and promoting diuresis. Rich in carotene, vitamin C, and minerals, it improves digestion and constipation; the leaves have blood-cleansing effects that help improve eczema and soothe skin inflammation. Modern research shows antibacterial, choleretic, liver-protective, and anti-tumor effects. Dandelion is cold in nature; those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency should consume in moderation, as excessive intake may cause diarrhea. Chrysanthemum: Sweet and bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature; enters the Lung and Liver meridians. Known for dispersing wind-heat, calming the liver, improving vision, and clearing heat. The vitamin A precursors in chrysanthemum help relieve red swollen eyes. Soft Tofu (Silken/南豆腐): Sweet in taste, cool in nature; enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Known for tonifying the middle, boosting qi, clearing heat, moistening dryness, generating fluids, quenching thirst, and cleansing the intestines. Rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and high-quality protein, with a digestion absorption rate of over 95%. Known as "plant meat." Tofu is a heat-clearing and nourishing food, suitable for heat-prone constitutions, bad breath, thirst, and post-illness recovery. Synergistic Effect: Dandelion clears heat, detoxifies, and disperses nodules; chrysanthemum disperses wind-heat and clears the liver; tofu clears heat, moistens dryness, and generates fluids. One clears, one disperses, one moistens—clearing without harming the body, dispersing without being harsh, and moistening without being cloying. Total approx. 150-200 kcal – a low-fat, high-protein medicinal soup rich in plant protein, calcium, and flavonoid active compounds.

Suitable for：Those with damp-heat type eczema, skin itching, and in eczema recovery (adjunctive support) Those with early-stage wind-heat colds, headache, dizziness, and red swollen eyes Those with dry eyes and blurred vision due to Liver fire Those with heat-prone constitution, bad breath, thirst, and unclean intestines Those with skin allergies, acne, and skin inflammation (adjunctive support) Those with hypertension and hyperlipidemia (adjunctive support) General population for summer heat-clearing and daily wellness

Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – dandelion, chrysanthemum, and tofu are all cooling in nature; may worsen abdominal pain and diarrhea. Add 3 slices of ginger or 3-5 red dates to balance the cold nature. Pregnant women – dandelion and chrysanthemum are both cold in nature; pregnant women should consume with caution. Chrysanthemum may stimulate the stomach and cause abdominal pain and diarrhea, which is unfavorable for fetal development. Those with wind-cold colds – this soup is for wind-heat, not wind-cold; may worsen symptoms. Those with Yang deficiency constitution – avoid; dandelion is contraindicated for Yang deficiency with external cold and weak spleen-stomach. Acute gout / hyperuricemia patients – tofu contains purine, but processing reduces purine content significantly; tofu is considered a low-purine food and can be consumed in moderation by gout patients. During acute flare-ups, limit intake; during remission, moderate consumption is acceptable. Those with renal insufficiency – dandelion has diuretic effects, and excessive tofu may increase kidney burden. Those with diarrhea or loose stools – dandelion is cold and promotes elimination, which may worsen diarrhea. Those with allergies – some individuals may experience systemic itching or hives after consuming dandelion. Women during menstruation – all three ingredients are cooling; excessive consumption may worsen menstrual discomfort or dysmenorrhea. Those allergic to dandelion, chrysanthemum, or tofu.