Gastrodia and Abalone Shell Pig Brain Soup: Benefits, Recipe & TCM Uses

Gastrodiae Rhizoma and Haliotidis Concha Pig Brain Soup · Medicinal Diet Introduction

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

Gastrodia-Abalone Shell Pig Brain Soup is a classic medicinal food rooted in the wisdom of traditional Chinese diet therapy. It is prepared primarily with three core ingredients: Gastrodia elata (Tianma), abalone shell (Haliotidis Concha, Shijueming) and pig brain, supplemented with ginger, scallion sections, cooking wine and other seasonings, and gently simmered over low heat. This soup has been passed down through folk tradition for a long time, and is especially commonly used by health-conscious families in the southern coastal regions as well as in Sichuan and Yunnan areas. It is regarded as a nourishing dietary remedy to “pacify the liver and extinguish wind, supplement the brain and calm the spirit.”

This medicinal food is highly esteemed because it skillfully integrates the “Calm Wind Herb” nature of Tianma (Gastrodia elata, Gastrodia tuber), the descending and settling effect of Shijueming (Haliotis diversicolor, Abalone shell), and the “organ therapy” (using viscera to nourish viscera) principle of pig brain (Sus scrofa, swine brain). Tianma is listed as a superior herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*; it pacifies liver yang, unblocks collaterals, and stops pain. Shijueming is the shell of abalone, adept at clearing the liver and subduing yang. Pig brain is rich in phospholipids and protein, serving to supplement the brain and fill the marrow. When stewed together, these ingredients not only produce a rich and delicious broth but also subtly harmonize the ascending hyperactivity of qi with the deficient marrow of the body.

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

The core therapeutic functions of *Tianma Shijueming Zhunao Tang* (Gastrodia and Abalone Shell Decoction with Pig Brain) can be summarized as “calming the liver and suppressing yang, extinguishing wind and stopping pain, supplementing the brain and quieting the spirit.” For symptoms such as headache, dizziness, eye distension with tinnitus, irritability, and anger, which arise from **liver yang hyperactivity**, regular moderate consumption provides effective relief. Additionally, this formula nourishes the brain marrow and enhances memory, offering adjunctive benefits for common conditions in middle-aged and elderly populations, such as forgetfulness and insomnia.

From a nutritional perspective, the lecithin and cephalin in pig brain are important components of nerve cell membranes. The active components in Gastrodia elata (orchid), such as gastrodin and vanillyl alcohol, have sedative and anticonvulsant effects and can improve cerebral blood circulation. Abalone shell (Concha Haliotidis) is rich in calcium carbonate and various trace elements, which can neutralize acidic metabolites in the body and indirectly help stabilize blood pressure. Therefore, this soup is both a medicinal diet and a nourishing delicacy suitable for individuals with specific constitutions.

Functions of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Calm the liver and subdue yang, relieve dizziness and headache.

TCM holds that “all wind-related disorders presenting with dizziness and tremor pertain to the liver.” The liver is a firm organ that prefers free expression and dislikes depression. When emotional frustration occurs or yin fails to restrain yang, liver yang may become hyperactive, manifesting as distending pain in the head and eyes, dizziness and tinnitus, and a red complexion with red eyes. Gastrodia elata (Tianma) enters the Liver Meridian (LR) and excels at pacifying liver yang, extinguishing wind, and stopping convulsions. It is considered the “holy medicine” for liver yang headache. Haliotidis concha (Shijueming) is heavy in nature and sinks downward, entering solely the Liver Meridian. It clears liver fire and subdues floating yang. When these two herbs are combined—one ascending and one descending—they calm the hyperactive yang, and the dizziness naturally ceases.

Nourish Kidney Yin, calm the spirit and settle the mind.

The essence of Liver Yang Hyperactivity is often “Water failing to nourish Wood”, i.e., Kidney Yin Deficiency unable to nourish the Liver Wood. Pig brain (cerebrum) is a substance of flesh and blood; in TCM, “the Brain is the Sea of Marrow”, and the Kidney governs bones and produces marrow. Therefore, consuming pig brain can directly supplement the Sea of Marrow, nourish Kidney Yin, and replenish Essence. Tianma (Gastrodia elata) also has the effect of calming Spirit and settling the Mind. Shijueming (Abalone shell, Haliotis diversicolor) is salty and cold, entering the Kidney meridian, and can guide floating fire downward. The synergistic action of these three substances allows Kidney Yin to be replenished, Liver Yang to be subdued, and Spirit to be calmed. This produces marked improvement in symptoms such as restlessness and insomnia due to deficiency, as well as dream-disturbed sleep and easy awakening.

Indications

The most suitable candidates for consuming Gastrodia and Abalone Shell Pig Brain Decoction include: office workers and students who engage in long-term mental labor, suffer from overuse of the brain leading to dizziness, forgetfulness, insomnia, and excessive dreaming; middle-aged and elderly individuals around menopause who experience hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, and blood pressure fluctuations due to Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency and Liver Yang Ascending; as well as those with primary mild-to-moderate hypertension, particularly with the pattern of “Liver Yang Ascending” (manifesting as dizziness, headache, blurred vision, red tongue with yellow coating).

In addition, for migraine patients whose TCM pattern is classified as “Liver Yang Headache” (headache typically unilateral, pulsating, aggravated by fatigue or emotional stress), taking this decoction during the remission period can reduce the frequency of attacks. For elderly individuals experiencing memory decline and slow reaction due to brain atrophy or cerebral arteriosclerosis, this can also serve as an auxiliary daily dietary formula, taken once or twice a week for gradual, long-term effects.

Contraindicated populations

Although this soup has many benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. Those with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold pattern (manifested as loose stools, cold pain in the epigastric and abdominal region, poor appetite, pale tongue with white coating) should use it with caution, because Concha Haliotidis (abalone shell) is salty and cold, damaging the Spleen, and pig brain is greasy and obstructs the Stomach, easily aggravating the digestive burden, leading to diarrhea or poor appetite. If it is indeed necessary to take it, 5 grams each of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (fresh ginger) and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (tangerine peel) can be added and stewed together to restrain the cold and greasy nature.

Patients with hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases should avoid excessive consumption. Pork brain is high in cholesterol—approximately 2,500 mg per 100 grams, far exceeding that of common foods. For these individuals who wish to benefit from Tianma (Gastrodia elata rhizome) and Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis), a substitution of lean pork (100 g) for pork brain is recommended. Retaining 15 g of Tianma and 30 g of Shijueming, simmer into “Tianma Shijueming Lean Pork Soup,” which similarly achieves the effect of calming the liver and subduing yang, without the concern of high cholesterol.

Pregnant and lactating women should use only under the guidance of a physician. *Shijueming* (Concha Haliotidis) is a heavy settling substance with a descending force that may harm fetal Qi; *Tianma* (Gastrodia elata), although possessing sedative effects, has unclear pharmacological activity regarding its influence on the fetus. Infants and preschool children should also avoid taking it, as their viscera are tender and delicate and cannot tolerate tonifying herbs.

Ratio of food ingredients in the formula

Gastrodia elata (Gastrodia rhizome): 15 g (it is recommended to choose Gastrodia from Zhaotong, Yunnan or Sichuan, sliced thinly or pre-soaked in warm water for 2 hours)

Abalone Shell (Shi Jue Ming, Concha Haliotidis): 30 g (either raw or calcined, crush into small pieces, wrap in gauze, and add to decoction).

Pig brain: 1 whole (about 150 g, fresh pig brain, remove blood vessels and membranes, soak in clean water)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale): 10 g (sliced, removes fishy odor and disperses cold)

Scallion White (Allium fistulosum): 15 g (cut into sections, to enhance aroma and unblock Yang)

Cooking wine: 10 ml (to remove fishy odor and enhance flavor)

Salt: 2 g (season just before removing from heat; do not add salt too early).

Lycium barbarum (Goji Berry): 5 g (optional, enhances color and sweetness, boosts nourishing effect)

Plain water: approximately 1200 ml

Preparation Method

Step 1: Ingredient preparation — Soak Gastrodia elata (Tianma) in warm water for 2 hours until soft, then slice thinly. Reserve the soaking water. Place the pig brain in a bowl, add clean water and a small amount of cooking wine, gently rub with fingers to remove surface blood vessels and membranes, then rinse with fresh water twice, and drain. Crush Concha Haliotidis (Shijueming) into small pieces with a hammer, place them in a fine gauze bag and tie the bag tightly. Wash and slice fresh ginger, cut scallion white into sections, and briefly soak Fructus Lycii (Gouqizi) in clean water.

Step 2: Blanching to remove fishy odor — Place the pig brain (porcine brain) into boiling water, add 3 g ginger slices and 5 ml cooking wine (Shaoxing wine). Blanch for about 1 minute until the surface of the brain turns white and scum rises, then remove and rinse with warm water. This step effectively eliminates the fishy smell of the pig brain, making the stewed soup clearer and fresher.

Step Three: Simmer into a Decoction — Add the sliced Gastrodia tuber (Tianma), the cheesecloth bag of abalone shell (Shijueming), the remaining 7 g of sliced fresh ginger, and the scallion white segments into a clay pot. Pour in the water used to soak the Gastrodia tuber along with enough additional clean water (total volume approximately 1200 ml). Bring to a boil over high heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and gently simmer for 30 minutes to fully extract the medicinal properties of the Gastrodia tuber and abalone shell.

Step Four: Combined Stewing and Seasoning – Gently place the blanched pig brain into a clay pot, add the goji berries (Fructus Lycii, Lycium barbarum) together, and continue simmering over low heat for 20 minutes. Note that the pig brain is very tender and delicate; do not boil vigorously over high heat, or it will easily break apart. Two minutes before turning off the heat, add 2 grams of salt for seasoning, and gently stir with a soup spoon to dissolve the salt evenly. Remove the gauze bag of abalone shell (Concha Haliotidis, Shi Jue Ming), pick out the scallion segments, sprinkle with chopped scallions (optional), and then serve in a bowl.

Drinking Tips

1. Optimal administration time and frequency: It is recommended to take the decoction warm one hour before dinner, as vertigo and irritability due to liver yang hyperactivity often worsen in the late afternoon or evening; taking the decoction at this time helps to calm the yang qi and promote tranquil sleep. Administer twice per week, with four consecutive weeks constituting one treatment course. Avoid large daily doses to prevent cloying, greasy properties from impairing the stomach or excessive cholesterol intake.

2. Constitutional Pattern Differentiation Tips: Before taking, a simple self-test using tongue diagnosis can be done: If the tongue body is red with a yellow dry or yellow greasy coating, it indicates internal heat and hyperactive liver yang, making it suitable for consumption. If the tongue body is pale and swollen with a white slippery or white greasy coating, it suggests spleen deficiency with dampness or deficiency cold. In such cases, reduce the dosage of Concha Haliotidis (abalone shell) and increase Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (tangerine peel), or switch directly to the lean meat version of the medicinal diet.

3. Pairing for Meals and Storage of Leftovers: When consuming the soup, chew the pig brain together with the slices of Gastrodia elata (tall gastrodia) to achieve the effect of “medicine and food sharing a common origin.” If a larger quantity is prepared at one time, strain out the pouch containing the abalone shell (Concha Haliotidis) from the leftover soup, allow it to cool, then refrigerate at 0–4°C. Consume within 24 hours. Before reheating, bring it to a full boil. Do not repeatedly heat leftovers overnight, as this may promote bacterial growth, affecting both safety and flavor.