Lotus Seed and Chinese Yam Pig Pancreas Soup: Spleen-Lung Tonic

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

Lotus Seed (Nelumbinis semen) and Chinese Yam (Dioscoreae rhizoma) Stewed Pig Pancreas is a traditional Lingnan medicinal diet, characterized by its sweet, neutral, and moistening properties. It is especially suitable for nourishing the body during the dry autumn and winter seasons or for those with a weak constitution. In Chinese medicinal dietary therapy, pig pancreas is often used according to the principle of “like treats like” (yixiang buxing). Combined with the two medicinal and food homologous ingredients—lotus seed and Chinese yam—the resulting soup has a milky white color, a smooth and silky texture, and a light fragrance without greasiness. It is a widely circulated folk recipe for fortifying the spleen and securing the lung.

This medicinal soup recipe is especially prevalent in Guangdong, Fujian, and other regions. Many families use it as a common dietary therapy after autumn to regulate the spleen and stomach and prevent common colds. Lotus seed (Nelumbinis semen) nourishes the heart and calms the spirit, Chinese yam (Dioscoreae rhizoma) supplements qi and nourishes yin, and pig pancreas tonifies the spleen and moistens dryness. When stewed together, the three ingredients avoid an overly medicinal taste and provide a gentle tonifying effect without being drastic. Truly, it is a peaceful soup suitable for all ages.

Formula Name Explanation

“The name ‘Lotus Seed and Chinese Yam Slow-Cooked with Pig Pancreas’ (Lianzi Huaishan Bao Zhu Yi) directly reveals its core ingredients and therapeutic method: Semen Nelumbinis (lotus seed) and Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Chinese yam) serve as the principal medicinals, while the pig pancreas acts as a guiding substance (yinjing zhi wu). ‘Bao’ refers to the cooking technique of slow simmering over gentle heat. This name not only specifies the ingredients but also implies the formulation wisdom of ‘tonifying the five viscera and regulating the triple burner (Sanjiao).'”

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

The whole formula focuses on strengthening the spleen and boosting qi, moistening the lung and consolidating the kidney as its core actions. Semen Nelumbinis (Lotus seed) can supplement the spleen to stop diarrhea, and benefit the kidney to secure essence. Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Chinese yam) is good at supplementing the spleen and nourishing the stomach, generating fluids and boosting the lung. Pancreas Suis (Pig pancreas) excels at boosting the lung and supplementing the spleen, moistening dryness and stopping thirst. When used together, these three ingredients have a good ameliorative effect on reduced food intake and fatigue, loose stools due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency, as well as dry cough with scant sputum, dry mouth and throat caused by Lung Dryness with Fluid Injury.

Regular consumption of this soup can strengthen the body’s healthy qi and enhance disease resistance. It also has a mild tonifying effect for post-illness deficiency, postpartum qi and blood deficiency, or qi and yin deficiency caused by prolonged sleep deprivation. Especially in autumn when the climate turns dry, the body is prone to a condition of “spleen and stomach stagnation and lung metal failing to be moistened.” Drinking it two to three times a week helps to smooth the seasonal transition.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine

According to TCM theory, lotus seed (Nelumbinis semen) enters the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. Its nature is neutral and its taste is sweet and astringent. It can tonify the Spleen to stop diarrhea, as well as nourish the Heart to calm the spirit. It has a good regulatory effect on insomnia and palpitations due to heart-kidney non-interaction. Chinese yam (Dioscoreae rhizoma) enters the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. It tonifies without causing stagnation and warms without being drying. It is an excellent herb for gently tonifying the Spleen and Stomach, and is especially good for treating Spleen deficiency diarrhea and Lung deficiency wheezing and cough.

Pig pancreas (Porcine Pancreas) is sweet and neutral in nature, attributed to the Spleen (PI) and Lung (LU) meridians. Ancient medical texts record that it “supplements the Lung and Spleen, moistens dryness and stops thirst,” and it is commonly used as an auxiliary treatment for Lung Dryness cough, wasting-thirst (diabetes mellitus), and indigestion due to Spleen and Stomach deficiency. In this soup, the combination of pig pancreas with lotus seed (Nelumbinis semen) and Chinese yam (Dioscoreae rhizoma) enhances the transformative and transport functions of the Spleen and Lung, achieving the effect of “strengthening Earth to generate Metal.” That is, by tonifying the Spleen and Stomach, Lung Qi is indirectly nourished, so that Qi and Yin are restored, and the dry cough stops naturally.

Target Population

This formula is especially suitable for individuals with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency and Lung Qi Deficiency. Common manifestations include: poor appetite, abdominal distension after meals, sallow complexion, fatigue and lack of strength; or dry cough with scant phlegm, dry and itchy throat, weak voice, and susceptibility to colds. Middle-aged and elderly people, children, and long-term mental workers who present with the above symptoms may use this as a daily restorative dietary therapy.

In addition, diabetic patients presenting with thirst, excessive drinking, and emaciation due to Qi and Yin deficiency pattern may also consume this in moderation under a physician’s guidance (taking care to remove sugar and adjust the flavor). For postpartum women with insufficient lactation and spontaneous sweating due to deficiency, as well as individuals suffering from chronic pharyngitis caused by excessive smoking, this soup also provides favorable adjunctive benefits.

Contraindicated Populations

It is not suitable for those with Excess Heat pattern or Damp-Heat accumulation internally. If the individual habitually prefers spicy food, presents with red face and eyes, constipation, dark yellow urine, and a yellow, greasy tongue coating, these indicate obvious Heat signs. This decoction is warm and tonic in nature, and consuming it may generate Fire and Phlegm, worsening the symptoms. In the early stage of a common cold, especially Wind-Heat common cold (fever, sore throat, yellow phlegm), it should be temporarily discontinued to avoid trapping pathogens inside.

Contraindicated in those allergic to *Dioscoreae Rhizoma* (Chinese Yam). As pig’s pancreas (*Sus scrofa domesticus* pancreas) is an animal organ with high purine content, it should be used with caution in patients with acute gout attacks or hyperuricemia. Furthermore, this formula is not suitable for individuals with exuberant Phlegm-Dampness presenting as cough with copious clear, thin sputum; it is recommended to consult a professional TCM practitioner to adjust the ratio before administration.

Ratio of ingredients in the formula.

The standard proportions for this soup are: 30 grams of Nelumbinis Semen (Lotus Seed), 30 grams of Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Chinese Yam, dried) or 100 grams of fresh Chinese yam, 1 pig pancreas (approximately 150 grams), 3 slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Fresh Ginger), and 1 optional Fructus Ziziphi Jujubae (Honeyed Jujube). This serves 2–3 people; for individual consumption, reduce the amounts by half.

Dried lotus seeds (Semen Nelumbinis) without the heart are preferable; if the heart (Plumula Nelumbinis) is retained, they will have a slightly bitter taste and a stronger heat-clearing effect, but the flavor is somewhat inferior. For Chinese yam (Rhizoma Dioscoreae), it is best to select dried slices of Tiegun yam (Dioscorea opposita) with a firm texture and sufficient starchiness; for fresh yam, choose plump specimens with smooth skin and few root hairs. For pig pancreas (Pancreas Sus scrofa domesticus), select fresh ones with a light red color, soft texture, and no fishy odor.

Preparation Method

Step 1: Preparation. Soak the lotus seeds (Nelumbo nucifera, Lotus seed) in clean water for 2 hours in advance to allow them to fully absorb water and expand; soak the dried Chinese yam slices (Dioscorea opposita, Chinese yam) in warm water for 30 minutes (for fresh Chinese yam, peel and cut into rolling knife pieces for later use); remove the white fascia from the surface of the pig pancreas, cut into segments about 2 cun long, rub briefly with a little flour and salt, then rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove the fishy odor.

Step 2: Blanch to remove fishy odor. Add cold water to the pot, place the pig pancreas (Suidae Pancreas) sections, add 2 slices of fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale, ginger) and a small amount of cooking wine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then continue boiling for 2 minutes. Skim off the foam, remove the pig pancreas and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Be careful not to boil too long, as the pig pancreas may become tough and hard.

Step 3: Slow-simmering. Place the soaked lotus seeds (Nelumbinis semen), Chinese yam (Dioscoreae rhizoma), blanched pig pancreas, ginger slices, and honey dates into a clay pot or ceramic soup pot. Add enough water (approximately 2000 ml), bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the lotus seeds are soft, the pig pancreas is tender, and the soup turns white.

Step 4: Seasoning and finishing. Add an appropriate amount of salt 5 minutes before turning off the heat, and stir well. The soup itself has a naturally light sweetness, so there is no need to add chicken essence or excessive seasonings. If a whiter soup color is desired, stir appropriately with a soup ladle during the final half hour of simmering to promote lipid emulsification.

Drinking Tips

1. Drinking timing: This decoction is best consumed half an hour before meals or on an empty stomach for optimal absorption. It is generally taken 2–3 times per week, with noticeable improvement after one month of consistent use. Avoid excessive intake—one bowl (approximately 200 ml) per serving is sufficient to prevent cloying and burdening the stomach.

2. Ingredient Preparation: The connective tissue of the pig pancreas must be thoroughly removed; otherwise, the soup will have a strong fishy odor. If lotus seeds with their plumule (green embryo) are used, the soup will have a slight bitterness, but it will be more effective in clearing heart fire [ICD-11: SD71 Heart Fire Pattern]. The choice depends on the individual’s constitution. For diabetic patients, it is recommended to omit the honeyed jujube (candied dates) and reduce the amount of salt used.

3. Storage and Reheating: If you prepare a larger batch of this soup, strain out the solid ingredients, reserving only the liquid. Store it in the refrigerator and consume within 24 hours. When reheating, use a clay pot over low heat to warm it slowly; do not bring it to a rapid boil directly over high heat, as this may cause excessive protein coagulation, affecting both texture and nutritional value. Avoid repeated heating in a microwave oven to prevent nutrient loss.