Ginkgo & Euryale Wind-Dispelling Soup: Recipe & Benefits

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

The Ginkgo Seed and Fox Nut Wind-Expelling Soup (Bai Guo Qian Shi Qu Feng Tang) is a time-honored traditional Chinese medicinal dietary remedy, embodying the wisdom of the “medicinal and edible homology” principle. This soup features Ginkgo biloba seed and Euryale ferox seed as core ingredients, complemented by a selection of mild herbs, carefully formulated to regulate the body’s qi mechanism from within and dispel wind pathogen afflictions. In folk tradition, it is commonly used as a health-promoting soup during seasonal transitions, particularly favored by those concerned with joint health and those troubled by dampness.

Bai Guo, also known as the ginkgo seed, is the dried ripe seed of the Ginkgo biloba tree (Ginkgoaceae family), and has been a common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicinal cuisine since ancient times. Qian Shi, often called “water ginseng,” is the dried ripe kernel of the water lily plant Euryale ferox (Euryale fervox). When combined, and with the addition of herbs that expel wind and unblock collaterals, these two ingredients together create this soup’s unique health benefits. The soup has a clear, slightly white broth, a sweet and mellow taste, and carries the natural aroma of the ingredients. It can be enjoyed as a daily soup while also serving to regulate the body.

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

Ginkgo and Euryale Wind-Dispelling Decoction (白果芡实祛风汤) primarily functions to dispel Wind and eliminate Dampness, as well as unblock and benefit the joints. It provides significant relief for symptoms such as heavy limbs, joint soreness and pain, and difficulty in flexion and extension caused by invasion of Wind-Dampness. This formula helps the body expel Wind and turbid Dampness hidden within the channels and collaterals, thereby restoring the normal circulation of qi and blood and alleviating discomfort.

In addition, this soup also has the auxiliary effects of fortifying the spleen and securing the kidney, as well as astringing and stopping leukorrhea. Bai Guo (Semen Ginkgo, Ginkgo seed) excels at astringing the lung to calm panting, stopping leukorrhea, and reducing urination, while Qian Shi (Semen Euryales, Gordon Euryale seed) is adept at benefiting the kidney to consolidate essence and supplementing the spleen to stop diarrhea. Working synergistically, they can improve conditions such as soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, frequent urination, and thin, clear leukorrhea caused by spleen and kidney deficiency. Regular consumption helps strengthen the body’s upright qi (zheng qi), enhance the ability to resist external pathogenic factors, and promote a more stable and harmonious state of the body.

Comprehensive Efficacy from Dispelling Wind to Nourishing the Upright Qi

This decoction is not solely focused on dispelling Wind pathogens; it places greater emphasis on fortifying the body’s foundation by invigorating the Spleen (Pi) and Stomach (Wei) and supplementing Kidney (Shen) Qi. When the Spleen and Stomach are robust, Dampness-Turbidity transforms spontaneously; when Kidney Qi is sufficient, the sinews and bones become strong and resilient, leaving no refuge for Wind pathogens. This combined approach of attacking and supplementing renders the Bai Guo (Ginkgo biloba) and Qian Shi (Euryale ferox) Wind-Dispelling Decoction particularly gentle and comprehensive among the myriad of Wind-dispelling medicinal foods, making it suitable for constitutional regulation over a defined period.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine

From the perspective of TCM nature, flavor, and meridian tropism, Bai Guo (Ginkgo biloba seed) is sweet, bitter, and astringent in flavor, neutral in nature, slightly toxic, and enters the Lung (LU) and Kidney (KI) meridians. Its primary medicinal actions include astringing lung qi, stopping wheezing and cough, arresting leukorrhea and turbid discharge, and reducing frequent urination. In Qu Feng Tang (Wind-Dispelling Decoction), Bai Guo serves a dual role of astringing and consolidating while also dispelling wind and unblocking the collaterals. It helps the body gather dispersed healthy qi and simultaneously guides pathogenic wind to be expelled externally.

Semen Euryales (Gordon Euryale seed) is sweet and astringent in taste, neutral in nature, and enters the Spleen and Kidney meridians. Its core actions are to tonify the Spleen and eliminate dampness, and to benefit the Kidney and secure essence. The astringent quality of Semen Euryales enables it to astringe the intestines and stop diarrhea, while also avoiding the cloying and Stomach-obstructing nature of some tonifying herbs, making it highly suitable for individuals with Spleen deficiency and dampness abundance. When paired with Semen Ginkgo (Ginkgo seed), one tends to astringe the Lung and secure the Kidney, while the other tends to fortify the Spleen and transform dampness. Together, they construct a regulatory network that addresses both dispelling wind and consolidating the root.

Synergistic enhancement in compatibility

The soup is often accompanied by small amounts of ginger and red dates, which are both medicinal and edible herbs. Ginger, pungent and warm, can promote sweating to release the exterior, warm the middle to stop vomiting, and also help neutralize the mild toxicity of ginkgo seeds while assisting in dispersing superficial wind-cold. Red dates, sweet and warm, supplement the middle and boost qi, nourish blood and calm the spirit, and can harmonize the properties of the other herbs, making the entire soup formula more balanced. Together, these ingredients achieve the effects of dispelling wind and cold, strengthening the spleen and resolving dampness, and consolidating the kidneys to secure astringency, so that wind pathogens are removed, dampness is transformed, and healthy qi is fortified.

Target population

This soup is particularly suitable for individuals experiencing joint soreness and pain, as well as heaviness and sluggishness of the limbs due to invasion by Wind-Dampness, especially when symptoms worsen in rainy or overcast weather. It provides beneficial dietary therapeutic support for common degenerative joint discomfort in middle-aged and elderly populations, as well as for the sensation of bodily heaviness resulting from prolonged residence in damp environments. Office workers who sit for extended periods with sluggish Qi and Blood circulation may also find relief from shoulder and neck stiffness by consuming this soup in moderation.

For those with Spleen and Kidney Deficiency Pattern (脾肾两虚), clear thin vaginal discharge (带下清稀), frequent urination and enuresis (尿频遗尿), as well as individuals prone to common colds, spontaneous sweating with aversion to wind (自汗恶风), and insufficient healthy qi (正气不足), consuming this soup also brings benefits. By fortifying the Spleen (健脾) and securing the Kidney (固肾), it enhances the body’s ability to consolidate and retain (固摄能力), reducing unnecessary loss of essential substances (精微物质). Over time, this strengthens the constitution, making it more robust and resilient, and less susceptible to invasion by external pathogens (外邪).

Contraindicated Populations

Ginkgo seeds contain small amounts of toxic components; therefore, pregnant and breastfeeding women should use with caution or avoid consumption to prevent potential effects on the fetus or infant. Infants and preschool children, whose liver and kidney functions are not yet fully developed, are also not suitable for consuming this soup. Additionally, individuals with allergic reactions to Ginkgo or Gordon Euryale seeds should be prohibited from consumption.

Those with a constitution of Excess Heat pattern, such as frequent dry mouth and tongue, dry stools, red face and eyes, scanty dark urine, as well as those with Internal Damp-Heat and a yellow, greasy tongue coating, should not take this decoction, as its astringent nature may aggravate the Excess Heat symptoms. During active acute infections such as common cold with fever, cough with yellow sputum, consumption should also be paused until the Exterior pathogen is resolved before considering use. Additionally, the dosage of Ginkgo semen (Bai Guo) should not be excessive; 10–15 grams per dose is appropriate to prevent toxicity.

Proportion of ingredients in the formula.

Ginkgo semen (ginkgo seed, dry): 15 g
Euryales semen (Gordon euryale seed, dry): 30 g
Zingiberis rhizoma recens (fresh ginger): 3 slices (approx. 6 g)
Ziziphi jujubae fructus (red date, pitted): 5 pieces (approx. 15 g)
Pork spine or lean pork: 200 g (for vegetarian option, substitute with Dioscoreae rhizoma (Chinese yam) 100 g)
Water: 1500 ml
Salt: appropriate amount (for final seasoning)

The above is the standard proportion for one person consuming over two consecutive days, or for 2-3 people for one day. For Bai Guo (Ginkgo biloba seed), it is recommended to select high-quality dried products with intact shells and plump kernels. For Qian Shi (Euryale ferox seed, also known as Gordon Euryale seed), choose those with uniform granules, white color, and no mold. The proportion of all ingredients can be slightly adjusted according to individual constitution and taste, but the amount of Bai Guo should not be arbitrarily increased.

Cooking Method

Step 1: Preparation. Crack open the shell of the ginkgo seeds, remove the seed coat, and extract the kernels for later use. Carefully remove the green embryo inside the ginkgo kernels to reduce their potential toxicity. Quickly rinse the Gordon Euryale seeds once with clean water to remove any dust, then soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes until slightly softened. Wash and slice the fresh ginger. Wash the Chinese red dates and remove the pits.

Step 2: Ingredient preparation. Cut the pork spine bones or lean pork into small pieces. Place in cold water in a pot, add two slices of fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale). Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off any foam, then remove and rinse with warm water to remove blood and fishy odor. For a vegetarian version, simply peel and cut Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita, Shan Yao) into chunks.

Step 3: Simmer the soup. Place the prepared Ginkgo seeds (Ginkgo biloba semen), softened Fox nuts (Euryale ferox semen), fresh ginger slices (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens), red dates (Fructus Jujubae), and blanched meat together in a soup pot. Add 1500 ml of clear water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 90 minutes, until the ingredients are tender, the soup turns slightly milky white, and a rich aroma is released.

Step 4: Seasoning and finishing. Five minutes before turning off the heat, add an appropriate amount of table salt for seasoning. Note that salt should not be added too early, as it may affect the extraction of active constituents from the ingredients and the flavor of the soup. Finally, remove the ginger slices and any excess floating oil, then ladle into soup bowls and serve warm.

Drinking Tips

1. It is recommended to take it continuously for 3–5 days as a small cycle, then pause for 2–3 days before resuming. There is no need for long-term uninterrupted use; allow the body time for digestion, absorption, and self-regulation. Consuming it 2–3 times per week is sufficient to achieve a good regulating effect. Excessive intake may increase the burden on the digestive system.

2. This soup should be consumed warm 1–2 hours after meals. Drinking it on an empty stomach may irritate the gastric mucosa. Avoid excessive consumption before bedtime to prevent increased nocturia from disturbing sleep. Ginkgo seeds (Bai Guo, Semen Ginkgo) should ideally be taken during the daytime for better metabolic processing.

3. During consumption, one should maintain a light diet and avoid raw, cold, greasy, and spicy-stimulating foods to prevent compromising the absorption and efficacy of the decoction. At the same time, it is advisable to engage in moderate warming exercises, such as walking and Baduanjin (Eight Section Brocade), which help promote the circulation of qi and blood and enhance the effect of expelling wind and dampness.

4. If used for regulating joint discomfort, the decoction residue (Ginkgo seeds and Fox nuts are edible) can be wrapped in gauze. After allowing it to cool slightly, apply it as a hot compress to the sore and aching joints. The combination of external application and internal administration often yields better auxiliary relief effects.