Goji Berry Stewed Pig Brain: Benefits, Recipe & How to Cook

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

Goji Berry Stewed Pork Brain is a time-honored traditional nourishing medicinal dish, particularly popular in the Lingnan region and the Jiangnan area. It features sweet and nourishing goji berries (Lycium barbarum) combined with tender pork brain as the main ingredients, supplemented with a small amount of fresh ginger, yellow wine (huangjiu), and other seasonings, then slowly double-boiled over a prolonged period. The resulting broth is clear with a slight reddish hue, rich and smooth in texture. This dish can be enjoyed as a daily health-promoting soup and is also commonly included in recovery diets for those suffering from post-illness deficiency.

This medicinal dietary combination reflects the folk wisdom of “like supplements like” (shape-replenishing) from traditional food culture, while also integrating the Liver- and Kidney-tonifying efficacy of Goji berry (Fructus Lycii). Pig brain is tender in texture, easy to digest and absorb; when stewed together with Goji berry, their nourishing properties interpenetrate, forming a mild yet nourishing delicacy that is warming but not drying. Throughout historical dietetic literature, pig brain stewed with Goji berry has often been documented as an auxiliary therapeutic recipe for improving memory decline, dizziness, and blurred vision.

Effects of Medicinal Diet

The primary efficacy of wolfberry stewed pig brain lies in nourishing the Liver and Kidney, supplementing essence, and enriching blood. Wolfberry (Fructus Lycii) enters the Liver and Kidney meridians, gently supplementing both yin and yang, and effectively alleviates soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, as well as dizziness and tinnitus due to Liver and Kidney deficiency. Pig brain is rich in lecithin, cephalin, and other nutrients, which help supplement the phospholipids needed by the body and play a positive role in maintaining normal nervous system function.

Furthermore, this medicinal food also has the effect of calming the spirit and stabilizing the mind (ān shén dìng zhì). For insomnia with excessive dreaming and poor concentration caused by excessive worry and overwork damaging the heart and spleen (láo shāng xīn pǐ), moderate consumption of Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) stewed Pig Brain can provide a certain regulatory effect. Its warming and moistening nature also makes it an ideal warm tonic (wēn bǔ) soup for autumn and winter, helping the body store energy and resist the invasion of external pathogens (wài xié).

Functions of Traditional Chinese Medicine

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the core action of stewed Lycium barbarum (Goji berry) with pig brain lies in “filling the sea of marrow.” TCM theory holds that “the brain is the sea of marrow,” and the kidney governs bones and produces marrow. When kidney essence is sufficient, the sea of marrow is nourished, allowing memory and mental activities to remain sharp. Lycium barbarum fruit is sweet in flavor and neutral in nature; it nourishes the kidney and moistens the lung, as well as tonifies the liver and brightens the eyes. It is a commonly used herb for gently tonifying the liver and kidney. Pig brain is regarded as a “substance of blood and flesh with affinity,” capable of directly supplementing the brain marrow. When combined, the two complement each other perfectly.

Tonifies without causing stagnation, moistens without causing greasiness.

The formula of this medicinal diet is characterized by “tonifying without causing stagnation, and moistening without greasiness.” Although Goji Berry (Fructus Lycii) is a tonifying herb, its nature is mild and balanced, and it does not cause significant cloying or burden to the stomach. Pig brain has a soft and smooth texture; after prolonged simmering, its nutrients are fully infused into the soup, making it easier for the spleen and stomach to transport and absorb. The addition of a small amount of Ginger (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) not only removes the fishy smell and enhances flavor, but also leverages its warming and dispersing property to prevent excessive tonification from causing stagnation.

Tonify both qi and blood, harmonize yin and yang.

Stewed pig brain with Goji berries (Fructus Lycii) not only supplements essence and marrow but also regulates qi and blood. Goji berries have the effect of nourishing the blood, while pig brain is rich in protein and various amino acids, which aid in the generation of qi and blood. For symptoms such as sallow complexion and fatigue due to dual deficiency of qi and blood, this medicinal diet can achieve the comprehensive effect of tonifying both qi and blood and harmonizing yin and yang by supplementing the congenital and acquired foundations.

Target Population

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) stewed pig brain is especially suitable for mental workers and the middle-aged and elderly. People who engage in high-intensity mental work for a long time, such as researchers, programmers, and teachers, are prone to conditions like brain overuse, memory decline, and mental fatigue. Consuming this medicinal diet in moderation helps nourish the brain marrow and alleviate brain fatigue.

Furthermore, patients in the recovery period after illness or surgery—especially those who have experienced a severe or prolonged illness and present with symptoms such as constitutional weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees—are also suitable to consume stewed pig brain with goji berry (Lycium barbarum) as a supportive dietary therapy for rehabilitation. Women in the postpartum or post-menstrual recovery phase, who exhibit blood deficiency with dizziness, pale complexion, and similar signs, may also take a small amount to help restore Qi and blood.

Contraindicated Populations

Although stewed pig brain with Chinese wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) is a nourishing delicacy, it is not suitable for everyone. Patients with hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia should use it with caution, as pig brain contains a high cholesterol content—over 2500 mg per 100 grams—and excessive consumption may aggravate dyslipidemia. Additionally, individuals with an obese constitution or those who frequently suffer from excessive phlegm-dampness patterns should avoid frequent intake, as it may promote dampness and generate phlegm.

Children and adolescents are in a period of vigorous growth and development, during which the yin-yang balance of the body is relatively delicate. Therefore, blind tonification should be avoided, and this medicinal diet is not recommended for them. Additionally, individuals experiencing common cold with fever, acute inflammatory episodes, or severe digestive dysfunction should temporarily discontinue consumption to prevent interference with the dispersal of pathogenic factors or aggravation of the Spleen and Stomach burden. Those with a constitution of excess heat or a tendency toward excessive internal heat should also consume with caution, or appropriately reduce the dosage of Lycium barbarum (Goji Berry).

Ingredient Formula Proportions

The standard formula and proportion for Stewed Pig Brain with Goji Berries are as follows: the main ingredients are 2 pairs of fresh pig brain (approximately 150 g) and 15 g of Lycium barbarum fruit (goji berry). The auxiliary ingredients include 3 slices of fresh Zingiber officinale (ginger, about 5 g), 10 ml of rice wine, 2 g of table salt, and 600 ml of purified water or broth. If an enhanced tonic effect is desired, 5 g of Longan aril (longan flesh) and 10 g of Juglans regia (walnut kernel) may be added, but this should be adjusted according to individual constitution.

The above ingredient ratio is for a single serving per person, yielding approximately 400 ml of soup after simmering. For the Lycium barbarum (goji berry), the best quality comes from Ningxia, with plump fruits, a vibrant red color, and a sweet taste. The pig brain must be fresh, purchased on the same day, with intact texture, a pinkish-white color, and no blood stasis or foul odor—this ensures the medicinal cuisine retains its fresh aroma and optimal efficacy.

Preparation method

Step 1: Prepare the pig brain (Sus scrofa brain)

Place the fresh pig brain in a large bowl, add enough clean water, and gently rinse it twice. Using a fine bamboo skewer or toothpick, carefully remove the red blood vessels and membrane attached to the surface of the brain. This step requires patience to ensure thorough removal and eliminate any unpleasant odor. Soak the cleaned brain in fresh water for 15 minutes, adding a small amount of salt to the water to further deodorize and tighten the texture.

Step Two: Prepare the Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) and other auxiliary ingredients.

Quickly rinse the Lycium barbarum fruit (goji berry) under running water to remove surface dust. Do not soak for too long to avoid loss of active constituents. Wash the fresh ginger (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) and slice thinly. Also prepare the Arillus Longan (longan aril) and Semen Juglandis (walnut kernel), if used. Take a stewing pot or a covered ceramic bowl. Gently remove the soaked pig brain (Sus scrofa brain), drain well, and place it into the stewing vessel.

Step 3: Simmering Process

Place the washed Goji berries (Fructus Lycii), fresh ginger slices (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens), and other supplementary ingredients evenly around the pig brain. Slowly pour Shaoxing wine (Yellow rice wine) and purified water (or broth) along the inner wall of the double-boiler pot, just enough to submerge the ingredients. Cover the pot with its lid, place it in a steamer, and bring to a boil over high heat. Then reduce to low heat and steam gently for 1.5 to 2 hours. During the steaming process, ensure there is sufficient water in the steamer to avoid boiling dry.

Step Four: Season and Remove from Heat

After the stewing time is up, turn off the heat and allow the stewing pot to cool naturally in the steamer for 5 minutes before removing it. Lift the lid, add salt to taste according to personal preference, and gently stir with a soup spoon to dissolve the salt evenly. Be careful not to stir vigorously to avoid breaking up the pig brain. Once seasoned, remove the stewing pot and serve warm. For best results, consume the soup along with the ingredients.

Usage Tips

1. Recommended frequency of consumption: Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) stewed pig brain is classified as a nourishing medicinal diet and should not be consumed excessively. It is generally recommended to take it 1 to 2 times per week, with a continuous intake not exceeding 4 weeks, followed by an interval before resuming. Excessive consumption may lead to the accumulation of Damp-Heat (Shi-Re) in the body, which can be detrimental to health.

2. Best consumption time: It is recommended to consume in the morning or at noon, when the body’s yang qi is abundant and digestive-absorptive functions are stronger, allowing for better utilization of the nutrients in the medicinal food. Consumption in the evening, especially before sleep, is not advisable, as the cloying and greasy nature may affect the spleen and stomach’s transport and transformation as well as sleep quality.

Accompany with a light diet: On the day of consuming stewed pig brain with Lycium barbarum (goji berry), other meals should be paired with light, easy-to-digest foods such as green leafy vegetables and multigrain porridge. Avoid simultaneously ingesting overly greasy, spicy, or raw and cold foods, so as not to hinder the absorption and efficacy of the medicinal diet.

4. Pay attention to the freshness of the ingredients: Pig brain is rich in protein and highly perishable, so it must be purchased and cooked on the same day. If you prepare more than can be consumed in one sitting, the leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, but do not keep them for more than 24 hours. Before consuming again, reheat thoroughly until boiling.