Ginseng, Donkey-Hide Gelatin & Black-Bone Chicken Soup: Benefits & Recipe

Ginseng, Donkey-hide Gelatin, and Black-bone Chicken Soup: A TCM Medicinal Diet Introduction

Introduction to Medicinal Cuisine

Ginseng, Donkey-Hide Gelatin, and Black-Bone Chicken Soup is a time-honored classic nourishing medicinal diet, widely acclaimed in folk tradition as the “Premier Soup for Tonifying Qi and Nourishing Blood.” This soup combines the effects of ginseng (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) in tonifying qi and securing desertion, donkey-hide gelatin (Colla Corii Asini) in nourishing yin and moistening dryness, and black-bone chicken (chicken with black-bone, Silkie chicken) in tonifying deficiency and nourishing yin. The three ingredients work synergistically, making it an excellent choice during autumn and winter seasons as well as for postpartum and post-illness recuperation. The broth is golden and clear, with a rich aroma and a sweet, moist taste on the palate. It can be enjoyed as a daily health soup or used as supplementary nourishment for individuals with a weak constitution.

This medicinal diet was first recorded in dietary therapy classics of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and was later continuously refined by folk physicians, gradually evolving into its present formula. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, black-boned chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is regarded as a “nourishing substance of flesh and blood with special affinity.” When combined with ginseng (Panax ginseng) and donkey-hide gelatin (Colla Corii Asini), its tonic effects become milder and more sustained. Modern nutritional science has also confirmed that black-boned chicken is rich in various amino acids and trace elements, which synergize with ginsenosides from ginseng and collagen from donkey-hide gelatin to effectively enhance immune function and improve anemic conditions.

Actions of Medicinal Diet

The main effects of Ginseng, Ass-Hide Glue, and Black-Bone Chicken Soup are concentrated in supplementing qi and nourishing blood, as well as nourishing yin and moistening dryness. It has a significant improving effect on symptoms such as sallow complexion, dizziness, palpitations and insomnia, and spirit fatigue and lack of strength caused by qi and blood deficiency. At the same time, it can also nourish the yin of the lung and kidney, alleviating problems such as dry mouth and throat, dry skin, and heat in the palms and soles due to yin and blood insufficiency.

This decoction is widely used as an adjunctive treatment in post-menstrual regulation, postpartum recovery, and menopausal syndrome. When taken regularly and in appropriate amounts over a long term, it can help improve blood circulation, enhance bone marrow hematopoietic function, resulting in a rosy and radiant complexion as well as lustrous black hair. For middle-aged and elderly individuals, this medicinal food formula can also delay aging, improve memory, and provide some benefits in preventing senile anemia and osteoporosis.

A classic model of tonifying both qi and blood

Ginseng is known as the “sacred herb for supplementing Qi,” Ass-hide Glue (Asini Corii Colla) as the “fine product for enriching Blood,” and Black-bone Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) as “nourishing deficiency and emaciation.” The combination of these three achieves bidirectional regulation of Qi and Blood. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, “Qi generates Blood, and Blood carries Qi.” This soup promotes blood production by supplementing Qi, while simultaneously nourishing Qi movement through enriching Blood, thus forming a virtuous cycle.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s theory of nature, flavor, and meridian tropism, Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is mildly warm in nature, sweet and slightly bitter in flavor, and enters the Spleen (SP), Lung (LU), and Heart (HT) meridians. Its functions include greatly tonifying original qi, restoring pulse and securing collapse, tonifying the spleen and lung, engendering fluids and nourishing blood, and quieting the spirit and augmenting wisdom. Donkey-hide Gelatin (Colla Corii Asini) is neutral in nature, sweet in flavor, and enters the Lung (LU), Liver (LR), and Kidney (KI) meridians. It specializes in nourishing blood and enriching yin, moistening dryness and stopping bleeding. Silky Fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) is neutral in nature, sweet in flavor, and enters the Liver (LR) and Kidney (KI) meridians. It excels in tonifying the liver and kidney, enriching yin and clearing heat.

The three main ingredients work together—sweet and warm without being drying, nourishing without being greasy—and act on multiple systems of the body. Among them, Ginseng (Panax ginseng) primarily boosts the qi of the Spleen and Lung, enhancing the functions of transportation and transformation absorption; Donkey-hide gelatin (Colla Corii Asini) directly enters the Liver and Kidney, replenishing deficiencies of yin and blood; and Silkie chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson) serves as a medicinal guide, gently distributing the tonifying power throughout the body. This overall formula embodies the TCM therapeutic principle of “qi and blood sharing the same origin, yin and yang rooting mutually,” and can not only improve anemic conditions but also regulate neuroendocrine function, while exerting a positive modulating effect on immune hypofunction.

Indications

Those with Qi and Blood Deficiency are most suitable, with typical manifestations including a pale or sallow complexion, pale lips and nails, dizziness and blurred vision, palpitations and shortness of breath, a weak voice, and fatigue and lassitude. In such individuals, even mild exertion often triggers palpitations and dyspnea, accompanied by poor memory, impaired sleep quality, and in women, symptoms such as scanty, pale, and delayed menstruation may also occur.

Postpartum and postoperative recovery periods are also highly suitable. Childbirth or surgery can significantly deplete qi and blood, leading the body into a state of dual deficiency of qi and blood (qi xu xue xu). In such cases, consuming this decoction can help quickly restore physical strength, promote wound healing, and improve breast milk quality. Additionally, sub-health individuals who experience chronic sleep deprivation, high work stress, or mental overexertion, as well as menopausal women presenting with symptoms of yin and blood deficiency (yin xu xue xu) and deficient fire flaring upward (xu huo shang fu), may also take this as a regulating formula.

Contraindicated Populations

Those with internal exuberance of Damp-Heat should not consume this soup. The main manifestations include a yellow, thick, and greasy tongue coating; bitter taste and halitosis; sticky stools with a sensation of incomplete evacuation; dark yellow urine; and a greasy complexion with multiple acne lesions. This soup has a strong tonifying effect, and for a Dampness-exuberant constitution, it acts like “adding fuel to the fire,” aggravating Damp-Heat accumulation, leading to epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness, as well as decreased appetite.

During externally contracted fevers (e.g., common cold, influenza), consumption should be suspended. At this stage, the pathogen is in the exterior and needs to be dispersed and expelled, whereas tonifying medicinals tend to “lock the door on the invader,” preventing the exterior pathogen from being released and thus prolonging the disease course. Additionally, individuals with severe Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold and frequent diarrhea with loose stools, as well as those with hypertension, dyslipidemia accompanied by severe arteriosclerosis, should use with caution under the guidance of a physician. Pregnant women should avoid intake, as the stimulating effect of Ginseng may affect the fetus. Children are generally not recommended to take it, as their Yin-Yang is balanced and does not require heavy tonification.

Proportions of ingredients in the formula

Main ingredient: 1 Black-boned chicken (approx. 1000g, female Black-boned chicken recommended for more tender meat).

Ingredients: Sun-dried ginseng (Panax ginseng, or Red ginseng) 10 g, Donkey-hide gelatin (Asini Corii Colla) 15 g (available in blocks or powder), Chinese angelica (Angelica sinensis) 8 g, Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) 10 g, Red dates (Ziziphus jujuba, pitted) 6 pieces, Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) 12 g, Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) 3 slices, Chinese rice wine (Huangjiu) 20 ml, Salt to taste (approximately 3 g, added at the end for seasoning).

Excipient: 2000 ml purified water (approximately 8 bowls of water).

This formula serves 1–2 persons; for larger groups, adjust the proportions proportionally. The dosage of Ren Shen (Panax ginseng) provided is for daily regulation. For those with more pronounced body weakness, it may be increased to 15 g as appropriate, but should not be overused to avoid the adverse effect of “excess of Qi”. For Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), it is recommended to select Dong’e Ejiao or other authentic brands to ensure adequate content of active ingredients.

Preparation Method

First, slaughter the black chicken, remove the feathers, eviscerate, and chop off the chicken feet and head. Soak in clean water for 30 minutes to remove any residual blood, then wash and drain. Slice fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale), remove pits from red dates (Ziziphus jujuba), and rinse goji berries (Lycium barbarum) briefly.

Step 2: Place the black-bone chicken (Silkie chicken) into boiling water and blanch for 3 minutes. Remove and rinse with warm water to wash away any scum, thereby eliminating fishy odor and excess fat. While blanching, add two slices of ginger and a small amount of Shaoxing wine (yellow rice wine) to the water to enhance the deodorizing effect.

Step 3: Use an earthenware pot or ceramic stew pot. Add the blanched silkie chicken, along with Panax ginseng slices (ren shen), Angelica sinensis (dong quai), Astragalus membranaceus (huang qi), red jujube (hong zao), and fresh ginger slices (sheng jiang). Pour in 2000 ml of purified water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then skim off any foam. Reduce to low heat and simmer gently for 1.5 hours.

Step 4: Place the donkey-hide gelatin (Colla Corii Asini) in a small bowl, add 20 ml of yellow rice wine, and steam over water or heat on low microwave setting until fully melted. When the chicken soup has been simmering for about one hour, slowly pour the dissolved gelatin liquid into the soup and stir well.

Step five: Continue simmering over low heat for 20 minutes, allowing the Asini Corii Colla (donkey-hide gelatin) to fully integrate with the broth. Then add Lycii Fructus (goji berries) and simmer for another 5 minutes. Finally, adjust with a small amount of salt to taste, stir well, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Drinking Tips

1. Drinking timing: It is recommended to consume warm between 9–11 AM (Spleen Meridian, SP time) or 5–7 PM (Kidney Meridian, KI time), as these are the periods when the body absorbs nutrients most efficiently. Drinking on an empty stomach yields better results, but those with Stomach Cold (pattern) should eat a small amount of staple food beforehand. Consume 2–3 times per week, with one consecutive month constituting a treatment cycle.

2. Incompatibilities: During consumption of this soup, avoid simultaneously eating radish, strong tea, coffee, and spicy or greasy foods. Radish is mutually antagonistic with Ginseng (Panax ginseng), as it can weaken the qi-tonifying effect. Strong tea and coffee contain tannic acid, which can interfere with the absorption of iron and protein. If symptoms of internal heat (shanghuo) such as dry mouth or insomnia occur, substitute Ginseng with American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius, dosage 10 g) or add Ophiopogon root (Ophiopogon japonicus, Mai Men Dong, 10 g) to moderate its warming and drying nature.

3. Storage and Reheating: If a single batch of decoction soup is not finished, strain out the medicinal herbs and meat, retaining only the liquid for refrigerated storage (can be kept for 2–3 days). When consuming again, reheat thoroughly until boiling, but avoid repeated reheating. Ideally, it is best to decoct and consume immediately. Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla, Donkey-hide Gelatin) should not be decocted for too long to prevent damage to its active constituents. It is recommended to suspend consumption during common cold episodes or when menstrual bleeding is excessive.