Introduction to Medicinal Diet
Old Duck, Euryale Ferox, and White Hyacinth Bean Soup is a traditional nourishing medicinal diet originating from the Lingnan region. It features old duck as the main ingredient, combined with medicinal and edible substances such as Semen Euryales (Qian Shi) and Semen Lablab Album (Bai Bian Dou), slowly simmered over gentle heat. This soup has been passed down through folk tradition for generations and is renowned as a “healthful delicacy for the transition between summer and autumn.” Its nature and flavor are neutral and balanced, making it suitable as a daily household restorative broth.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine dietetic theory, the old duck (Anas platyrhyncha) is cool in nature and excels at tonifying consumptive fatigue; Gordon euryale seed (Semen Euryales, also known as “chicken head rice”) is the mature kernel of the nymphaeaceous plant Euryale ferox, which possesses astringent and consolidating properties; and white hyacinth bean (Semen Lablab Album) transforms dampness and fortifies the Spleen. When combined, these three ingredients achieve both supplementation and clearing, nourishment and transformation, creating the unique characteristic of this therapeutic dish: “tonifying without greasiness, clearing without coldness.” This formula is especially suitable for the condition of Spleen Qi deficiency with Dampness encumbrance commonly seen in modern people due to irregular diet and disrupted daily routine.
Medicinal Diet Efficacy
The core efficacy of Old Duck, Gordon Euryale Seed, and Hyacinth Bean Soup lies in “strengthening the spleen to resolve dampness, and benefiting the kidney to secure essence.” Gordon Euryale seed (Euryale ferox) enters the Spleen (SP) and Kidney (KI) meridians, excels at fortifying the spleen to stop diarrhea, and benefits the kidney to secure essence. White hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) specifically enters the Spleen and Stomach (ST) meridians, capable of transforming dampness and harmonizing the middle jiao, as well as clearing summerheat and detoxifying. Old duck, as a blood-and-flesh substance, nourishes yin and enriches the stomach, while promoting urination to reduce edema. Combined, these three ingredients transform dampness, restore splenic transportation, and secure kidney essence.
From a modern nutritional perspective, old duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) is rich in high-quality protein, B vitamins, and diverse trace elements, which enhance immune function. Gordon Euryale seed (Semen Euryales, Euryale ferox) is abundant in starch, protein, and various minerals, offering antioxidant effects and delaying aging. White hyacinth bean (Semen Lablab Album, Lablab purpureus) contains lectins and dietary fiber, contributing to the regulation of gut microbiota. Therefore, this medicinal diet not only embodies the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in herbal pairing but also aligns with the principles of modern nutritional balance.
The role of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Fortify the spleen and transform dampness, restore the transportation and transformation functions of the middle jiao.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spleen governs the transportation and transformation of water-dampness. When spleen deficiency leads to impaired transportation, water-dampness accumulates internally, manifesting as a heavy sensation in the body, loose stools, poor appetite, and other symptoms. Bai Bian Dou (Lablab purpureus, white hyacinth bean) transforms dampness through its aromatic nature without being harsh or drying, while Qian Shi (Euryale ferox, euryale seed) is sweet and astringent, tonifying the spleen and securing astringency. Their synergistic action helps restore the ascending and descending functions of the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), allowing clear yang to rise and turbid yin to descend.
Nourish yin and consolidate the Kidney, while simultaneously addressing the root of both the prenatal and postnatal foundations.
The old duck enters the Kidney Meridian, capable of nourishing Kidney yin and clearing deficiency heat. It has a restorative effect on soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, as well as five-palm heat, which are caused by Kidney yin insufficiency. Gordon Euryale Seed (Semen Euryales) also enters the Kidney Meridian and excels at consolidating the Kidney and arresting seminal emission, thereby reducing frequent urination at night, nocturnal emission, and spermatorrhea, which are symptoms of Kidney qi insecurity. This medicinal diet strengthens the overall righteous qi by supplementing both the Spleen and Kidney, allowing the prenatal and postnatal essences to mutually nourish each other.
Indications
This medicinal food is particularly suitable for individuals with Spleen Deficiency and Dampness Accumulation pattern, commonly presenting as: a tendency toward overweight or flabby muscles, a sallow or pale complexion, a greasy white tongue coating with teeth marks, a frequent sensation of heaviness in the body, abdominal distension after meals, and loose or sticky stools that are difficult to flush. For such individuals, this soup can be considered a gentle constitution-regulating formula.
Additionally, this soup is suitable in moderate amounts for those experiencing loss of appetite and low energy during the summer damp-heat season or the transition from summer to autumn; for office workers with irregular sleep and diet causing digestive dysfunction; and for the elderly, frail individuals, or those recovering from illness who need to gradually restore the function of the Spleen and Stomach. It can be consumed to aid recovery.
Contraindicated Populations
Although Old Duck, Euryale ferox (Qianshi), and Lablab Bean (Baidou) Soup is mild in nature, it is not suitable for everyone. Those with exuberant interior heat (excess heat) should use it with caution, manifesting as: flushed face and red eyes, sores and ulcers of the mouth and tongue, sore swollen throat, dry stools, scanty dark urine, and a red tongue with yellow dry coating. In such individuals, the internal heat pathogen is relatively severe; consuming the warm-natured Euryale ferox and the rich, cloying old duck may aggravate the heat signs.
Additionally, it is contraindicated for individuals allergic to duck meat or legume proteins. During acute gastroenteritis flare-ups, especially when accompanied by fever, vomiting, or severe diarrhea, tonifying therapies should be avoided to prevent increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Pregnant women are advised to consult a licensed TCM practitioner before consumption, as *Euryale ferox* (Gordon Euryale seed) possesses astringent properties, and excessive intake may affect fetal vitality. Infants and young children, whose digestive functions are not yet fully developed, should also not consume such medicinal dietary preparations prematurely.
Ingredient Formula Ratio
To prepare Old Duck with Gordon Euryale Seed and White Hyacinth Bean Soup, select the following precisely proportioned ingredients to ensure both medicinal efficacy and excellent flavor: Half an old duck (approx. 500–600 g, preferably a 1-year+ raised shelduck or mallard), 30 g Gordon Euryale Seed (Semen Euryales), 30 g White Hyacinth Bean (Semen Lablab Album), 15 g Fresh Ginger (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens; roughly thumb-sized, crushed and set aside), 5 g Tangerine Peel (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae; preferably 3-year+ aged Xinhui chenpi), and salt to taste (add before serving, generally about 3–5 g).
If a more clearing and moistening taste is desired, add 100g of fresh Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita, peeled and cut into sections) or 2 pieces of honey dates (jujube). If there is significant dampness, add 15g of Poria (Poria cocos) to enhance its dampness-draining effect. All dried herbs should be quickly rinsed with clean water before cooking to remove surface dust, but should not be soaked for a long time to avoid loss of active constituents.
Preparation method
Step 1. Prepare the old duck. Slaughter the duck, remove the feathers and internal organs, cut off the duck feet and tail (the tail contains glands with a strong unpleasant odor). Rinse thoroughly, then chop into large pieces about 4–5 cm square. Bring a pot of water to a boil, blanch the duck pieces for 3–5 minutes until the foam rises. Remove and rinse with warm water, then drain well. Blanching effectively removes the gamey taste and excess fat from the duck, resulting in a clear broth.
Step two: Prepare the medicinal materials. Rinse the Gordon Euryale Seed (Semen Euryales) and White Hyacinth Bean (Semen Lablab Album) separately in clean water, removing any impurities. Soak the Tangerine Peel (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) in warm water for a short time, scrape off the inner pith (white membrane), and cut into fine strips. Loosen the Fresh Ginger (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) by tapping it with the back of a knife; do not peel it. If using Fresh Chinese Yam (Rhizoma Dioscoreae), process it only after blanching and just before simmering to prevent oxidation and darkening.
Step 3: Slow-simmer into soup. Place a clay pot or ceramic stew pot on the stove. Add the blanched duck pieces, Gordon Euryale seed (Semen Euryales), white hyacinth bean (Semen Lablab Album), shredded tangerine peel (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), and smashed ginger. Pour in enough clean water to submerge all ingredients by approximately 3–4 cm (1–1.5 inches). Bring to a boil over high heat, then skim off any foam. Immediately reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and slow-simmer for 1.5–2 hours, until the duck is tender and the soup turns rich and milky white.
Step 4: Season and serve. Five minutes before turning off the heat, add an appropriate amount of salt to taste and stir well. Note that salt should not be added too early, as it may cause the protein in the duck meat to coagulate prematurely, hindering the release of savory flavors. Finally, remove the ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma) pieces and tangerine peel (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) strips, ladle the soup into bowls, and enjoy.
Tips for Consumption
1. It is recommended to consume 2–3 times per week, with a continuous period of 3–4 weeks constituting one therapeutic cycle. Medicinal food differs from ordinary soups; it should not be consumed in excess or continuously for long periods. The body should be allowed time for digestion and absorption.
2. This soup is best consumed in the morning or at lunchtime. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, “nourish the Stomach in the morning, nourish the Spleen at noon” – the Stomach and Spleen meridians (ST, SP) are at their peak of qi and blood during the morning and midday, making it easier to absorb and transform the nourishment. Drinking it in the evening may lead to increased nocturia or disrupt sleep.
3. For those who are prone to abdominal distension and belching, add 3-5 grams of *Amomum villosum* (Fructus Amomi, crushed, added 10 minutes before turning off the heat) to the soup to enhance the effect of moving qi and harmonizing the stomach. For those with dry mouth and throat and obvious deficient fire, add 10 grams of *Ophiopogon japonicus* (Radix Ophiopogonis) to nourish yin and clear the heart.