Stir-Fries
Malt & Hawthorn Egg Custard Soup (Maiya Shanzha Dan Geng)
Malt & Hawthorn Egg Custard Soup is a classic spleen-strengthening and digestion-promoting medicinal soup originating from the Clinical Empirical Formula Collection (《临床验方集锦》). Malt promotes digestion, resolves food stagnation, and strengthens the spleen; hawthorn promotes digestion, invigorates the stomach, and dispels food stagnation, especially for meat and dairy; Chinese yam strengthens the spleen, nourishes the stomach, and generates fluids; eggs strengthen the spleen, harmonize the stomach, nourish blood, and calm the mind. This formula combines tonifying the spleen and boosting qi with promoting digestion and resolving stagnation—Chinese yam and eggs tonify the middle to treat the root, while malt and hawthorn promote digestion to treat the branch. It achieves the effects of strengthening the spleen, stimulating appetite, promoting digestion, and resolving food stagnation. The soup is thick and smooth, with silky egg and a mild, pleasant herbal taste. It is especially suitable for pediatric indigestion and food stagnation due to weak spleen and stomach.
Main Ingredients
- Eggs 2 pieces
- Malt (Maiya) 15g
- Hawthorn (Shanzha) 20g
- Chinese yam (Huai Shan) 15g
- Starch (or kudzu powder) as needed
- Salt to taste
Steps
Rinse 15g of malt, 20g of hawthorn, and 15g of Chinese yam. Place in a pot with about 500-600ml of water. Simmer over low heat for about 1 hour, then strain and reserve the liquid.
Crack 2 eggs into a bowl and beat thoroughly until uniform. Mix starch (or kudzu powder) with a small amount of water to form a paste.
Bring the herbal liquid to a boil. Slowly add the egg liquid and starch paste while stirring continuously to prevent clumping. Cook until the soup thickens to a smooth consistency.
Add salt to taste and stir well. Turn off the heat. Consume warm, 1-2 times daily, about 1 bowl (200ml) per serving. Take for 3-5 consecutive days as one course.
TCM Notes
Malt (Maiya): Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Known for promoting digestion, resolving food stagnation, strengthening the spleen, and stimulating appetite. Malt primarily digests stagnant rice, noodles, and root vegetables. Modern research shows it contains amylase, invertase, and B vitamins that aid digestion and stimulate appetite. Hawthorn (Shanzha): Sour and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature; enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver meridians. Known for promoting digestion, invigorating the stomach, regulating qi, dispelling blood stasis, and lowering lipids. Hawthorn primarily digests stagnant dairy and meat foods, especially effective for greasy meat. Chinese Yam (Huai Shan): Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians. Known for strengthening the spleen, nourishing the stomach, generating fluids, benefiting the lungs, and nourishing the kidneys. Chinese yam is sweet and neutral, tonifying the spleen and stomach while eliminating dampness and stopping diarrhea, commonly used for weak spleen and stomach with poor appetite and chronic diarrhea. Eggs: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enter the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. Known for strengthening the spleen, harmonizing the stomach, nourishing blood, calming the mind, nourishing yin, and moistening dryness. Used for weak spleen and stomach with food stagnation, poor appetite, diarrhea, and yin-blood deficiency. Synergistic Effect: Chinese yam and eggs tonify the middle to treat the root; malt and hawthorn promote digestion and resolve stagnation to treat the branch. The formula combines tonification and digestion, used for food stagnation due to weak spleen and stomach—especially effective for pediatric malnutrition. Total approx. 180-220 kcal, 14-16g protein—a high-protein, low-fat, easily digestible spleen-strengthening and digestion-promoting medicinal soup.
Suitable for：Children with pediatric indigestion and malnutrition Those with weak spleen and stomach and internal food stagnation (poor appetite, abdominal fullness, acid regurgitation, loose stools) Those with reduced appetite, difficulty digesting food, and stomach distension The elderly and children with indigestion (egg custard is soft and easy to eat) General population for daily stomach-strengthening and digestive support
Not suitable for：Those without food stagnation in the stomach – this formula primarily promotes digestion and resolves stagnation; those without food stagnation may experience depletion of vital qi Pregnant women – avoid or use with caution. Hawthorn has blood-activating and stasis-dispelling effects; not recommended in early pregnancy Breastfeeding women – avoid. Malt has milk-suppressing effects; contraindicated during breastfeeding Those allergic to eggs or any ingredient – eggs are a common allergen Those with hyperacidity or gastric ulcers – use with caution. Hawthorn promotes gastric acid secretion and may worsen acid reflux and stomach pain Diabetes patients – omit sugar and reduce staple food accordingly Those with colds or fever – avoid. A light diet is recommended; tonic foods may affect the expulsion of external pathogens Infants and young children – when giving to children, it is best to do so under medical guidance
