Tianqi Chicken Soup: Benefits, Recipe & TCM Uses

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

Tianqi Chicken Soup (Panax notoginseng and chicken soup) is a traditional nourishing medicinal diet that originated in the Lingnan region and has been widely passed down through generations. Tianqi, also known as Sanqi or Panax notoginseng, is the dried root of *Panax notoginseng* (Burk.) F.H. Chen, a plant of the Araliaceae family. It is primarily produced in Wenshan, Yunnan, and is honored with the titles “not for gold” and “divine herb of the South.” Its nature is warm, flavor sweet and slightly bitter, and it enters the Liver and Stomach meridians. It is renowned for its actions of dispersing stasis, stopping bleeding, reducing swelling, alleviating pain, and tonifying deficiency while strengthening the body. Chicken, with its sweet flavor and warm nature, warms the Middle Jiao and tonifies the Spleen, boosts Qi and nourishes Blood, and supplements the Kidney and fills the Essence. When Tianqi and chicken are stewed together, the soup not only preserves the delicious richness of the chicken but also incorporates the subtle herbal aroma of Tianqi. The soup is clear, slightly yellow in color, with a sweet aftertaste, making it an excellent choice for daily dietary therapy and post-illness recovery.

This medicinal food recipe was first recorded in folk prescriptions, and later compiled and promoted by multiple TCM dietary therapy experts, gradually becoming a common nourishing soup on family dining tables. Unlike using only Panax notoginseng (Notoginseng) or chicken alone, the combination of the two produces a synergistic effect—supplementing without causing stagnation, warming without creating dryness. It is noteworthy that Panax notoginseng follows the principle “raw for striking, cooked for supplementing”: raw use focuses on activating blood, resolving stasis, stopping bleeding, and alleviating pain, often applied to trauma or blood stasis patterns; cooked use emphasizes supplementing blood, boosting qi, and strengthening the body. This medicinal food recipe primarily employs cooked Panax notoginseng or through prolonged stewing, rendering its nature warm and tonic, making it more suitable for daily consumption to cultivate and supplement original qi.

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

Tonify qi and nourish blood, activate blood and unblock collaterals

The core efficacy of Panax notoginseng chicken soup lies in simultaneously tonifying qi (vital energy) and nourishing blood, while promoting blood circulation and unblocking collaterals. Chicken is rich in high-quality protein and various amino acids, which can rapidly supplement the body’s nutritional needs and enhance the source of qi and blood transformation. The active components in Panax notoginseng, such as ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1, promote the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells, improve microcirculation, and prevent blood viscosity. The combination of these two ingredients both “supplements deficiencies” and “unblocks stagnation,” allowing qi and blood to circulate freely. This formula is particularly suitable for individuals presenting with a sallow complexion, shortness of breath and fatigue, cold extremities, or those with mild manifestations of blood stasis.

Enhance immune function and anti-fatigue

Modern research has confirmed that Panax notoginseng (Sanqi) saponins exhibit significant immunomodulatory effects, activating immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells, thereby enhancing the body’s resistance to disease. Additionally, Panax notoginseng accelerates lactic acid metabolism, alleviating muscle soreness and fatigue after exercise. Bioactive compounds in chicken meat, such as carnosine and anserine, contribute to antioxidant activity and延缓 aging. Therefore, regular consumption of Panax notoginseng and chicken soup can improve low energy, susceptibility to colds, and post-illness weakness, making it especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly individuals as well as urban populations under high work stress.

The Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s qi and blood theory, the key action of the Tianqi Chicken Soup lies in “tonifying while promoting movement, and promoting movement while nourishing.” Qi is the commander of blood, and blood is the mother of qi. Qi deficiency leads to weakened propulsion, which easily results in blood stasis; blood deficiency leaves qi without a basis, also causing sluggish circulation. In this formula, chicken greatly tonifies the qi of the spleen and stomach, ensuring the source of qi and blood transformation. Tianqi (Panax notoginseng) excels at entering the blood aspect, both transforming already stagnant blood and preventing newly generated blood from congealing. The combination of these two ingredients allows for tonifying qi without causing stagnation in the middle, and nourishing blood without leaving stasis, achieving a subtle balance of “treating both qi and blood, and integrating movement and stillness.”

In terms of meridian tropism, Tianqi Chicken Soup primarily acts on the Spleen, Liver, and Kidneys. The Spleen governs transportation, transformation, and blood containment; the Liver governs blood storage and free coursing; the Kidneys govern essence storage and marrow generation. Chicken enters the Spleen and Kidney meridians (SP, KI), capable of strengthening the Spleen, opening the appetite, tonifying the Kidneys, and replenishing essence. Tianqi (Panax notoginseng) enters the Liver and Stomach meridians (LR, ST), capable of softening the Liver, nourishing blood, harmonizing the Stomach, and directing qi downward. For conditions such as Spleen deficiency with Liver depression and Essence and blood deficiency (manifesting as dizziness, blurred vision, poor appetite, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, scanty menstruation, etc.) arising from excessive rumination, irregular diet, or prolonged illness with loss of nourishment, this medicinal food can provide good regulatory effects. Additionally, Tianqi’s action of clearing the throat and benefiting the throat offers ancillary benefits for chronic pharyngitis or throat discomfort caused by excessive talking.

Indications

Qi and blood deficiency, pale or sallow complexion, frequent dizziness and fatigue, shortness of breath and reluctance to speak—these symptoms commonly affect middle-aged and elderly individuals, as well as young office workers whose energy is depleted by busy work schedules and frequent late nights. Tianqi chicken soup (Panax notoginseng chicken soup) is highly suitable for such people. In particular, women experiencing blood deficiency with concomitant blood stasis after menstruation, childbirth, or during menopause may benefit from moderate consumption, which helps restore the body, improve dull complexion, and relieve cold extremities.

Furthermore, for patients in the recovery phase—such as those post-surgery, recovering from a major illness, or experiencing bone marrow suppression or anemia after radiotherapy and chemotherapy—taking this decoction under medical guidance can effectively improve blood parameters, enhance appetite, and accelerate tissue repair. Long-term desk workers and sedentary individuals who lack exercise often suffer from neck and shoulder stiffness, lower back pain, and other musculoskeletal discomfort. The action of Panax notoginseng to activate blood and resolve stasis, combined with chicken’s ability to strengthen sinews and bones, can alleviate such symptoms. For individuals with metabolic syndrome, such as hyperlipidemia and mild arteriosclerosis, Panax notoginseng helps reduce blood lipids and improve vascular elasticity; however, attention must be paid to dosage and individual body responses.

Contraindicated Populations

Although Tianqi chicken soup is relatively mild in nature, certain individuals should use it with caution or avoid it altogether. First, it is contraindicated during pregnancy. Tianqi (Panax notoginseng) has a strong effect of activating blood and resolving stasis, which can stimulate uterine smooth muscle, potentially causing fetal agitation or even miscarriage; it should not be taken at any stage of pregnancy. Second, women with heavy menstrual flow should refrain from consuming it during menstruation, as it may lead to abnormally increased menstrual volume or prolonged bleeding. Third, those with interior excess heat or yin deficiency with effulgent fire (manifesting as dry mouth and tongue, sore throat, swollen gums, gum bleeding, dry stool, red tongue with yellow coating, etc.) should not take it in large amounts, as both Tianqi and chicken are warm in nature and may exacerbate heat signs.

Additionally, it is contraindicated in individuals allergic to chicken or *Panax notoginseng* (notoginseng/sanqi). Patients taking anticoagulant medications (e.g., warfarin, aspirin) should adjust the dosage under the guidance of a TCM practitioner or Western medical doctor, as *Panax notoginseng* has antiplatelet aggregation effects and concurrent use with anticoagulants may increase the risk of bleeding. During colds or fevers, especially wind-heat cold or influenza accompanied by sore throat and yellow phlegm, consumption should be suspended to avoid “shutting the door to trap the pathogen,” which may delay the dispersion of external pathogens. Infants and children under 3 years of age have delicate spleen and stomach, and such medicinal diets should not be administered casually.

Ingredient Formula Proportions

Making Tianqi Chicken Soup: Precise ingredient ratios directly influence both the flavor and therapeutic effects. Below is the standard formula for 3-4 servings (measured by weight):

• Fresh free-range chicken or black-boned chicken (Silkie): 500 g (half a bird, remove head, feet, and internal organs, cut into large pieces) • Processed Panax notoginseng powder (cooked): 8–10 g (or use 15 g of raw Panax notoginseng slices, but raw notoginseng is more bitter and strongly blood-activating; for daily dietary therapy, the processed/cooked form is recommended) • Red dates (Ziziphus jujuba): 6–8 pieces (pitted, about 30 g) • Goji berries (Lycium barbarum): 10 g • Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale): 15 g (about 3–4 slices, lightly crushed) • Clean water: 2000–2200 ml (about 8–9 cups) • Table salt: 3–4 g (add according to taste 5 minutes before turning off the heat)

If the goal is to enhance the Qi-tonifying effect, add 15g of *Astragalus membranaceus* (Astragalus) and 10g of *Codonopsis pilosula* (Codonopsis). If the preference is for nourishing Yin and moistening dryness, combine 10g of *Polygonatum odoratum* (Fragrant Solomonseal) and 8g of *Ophiopogon japonicus* (Dwarf Lilyturf). The ratio of *Panax notoginseng* (Notoginseng) to chicken should be controlled between 1:50 and 1:60, ensuring the herbal flavor is not too strong and more acceptable to the average person. Note that *Panax notoginseng* powder should not be decocted for long; it is advisable to add it during the later stage of simmering, or use the “steeping method” (i.e., pour boiling soup over it and cover for 10 minutes) to preserve the active constituents.

Preparation method

First step: Blanching to remove the fishy odor. Place the chopped chicken pieces into cold water and soak for 15 minutes, changing the water once to rinse away the blood. Then put the chicken into a pot, add 2 slices of ginger and enough cold water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off any foam, and continue boiling for 2 minutes. Remove the chicken and rinse with warm water, then set aside. This step effectively removes the fishy smell and excess fat from the chicken, resulting in a clear and pure broth.

Step 2: Stir-frying the herbal ingredients (optional). Heat a clean dry wok over low heat without oil. Once warm, add the Fructus Jujubae (Chinese red dates) and Fructus Lycii (Goji berries) – if using whole sliced Panax notoginseng (Tianqi), add them as well. Stir-fry rapidly for about 30 seconds until the surfaces are slightly dry and a fragrant aroma is released, then remove from the wok. This process further enhances the sweet fragrance of the herbs, but be careful not to burn them. If using ready-made prepared Panax notoginseng powder, no stir-frying is needed; set it aside for direct use.

Step three: Stewing. Place the blanched chicken pieces, stir-fried red dates (Fructus Jujubae), and the remaining ginger slices together into a clay pot or ceramic stew pot. Pour in enough clean water (about 2000 ml), cover with the lid, bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to the lowest heat, maintaining a gentle simmer. Slowly simmer for 1.5–2 hours. During simmering, try not to lift the lid frequently to prevent the aroma from dissipating.

Step 4: Seasoning. When the chicken is tender and the broth has thickened, dissolve the prepared Panax notoginseng (root) powder (Shu Tian Qi Fen) in a small amount of warm water to form a paste, then slowly pour it into the soup. Stir thoroughly with a soup ladle to blend well, and continue simmering over low heat for 10–15 minutes to allow the medicinal properties to fully integrate with the broth. Finally, add washed Lycium barbarum fruit (goji berry) and an appropriate amount of salt, then cook for another 3–5 minutes before turning off the heat. For a cleaner taste, skim off any surface oil before serving.

Drinking Instructions

1. It is recommended to consume 1 hour after meals, 150–200 ml (approximately one small bowl) per serving, 2–3 times per week, with a consecutive 4-week period as one regulation course. Taking it on an empty stomach may cause mild irritation to the gastric mucosa, especially caution should be exercised in those with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold pattern.

2. Both the chicken and the medicinal herbs in the soup are edible; do not only drink the broth and discard the solids. The protein and minerals in the chicken, as well as the polysaccharides in Fructus Jujubae (Chinese jujube) and Fructus Lycii (goji berry), retain high nutritional value. Chewing and consuming them yields a more comprehensive dietary therapeutic effect.

3. During the consumption period, avoid raw, cold, greasy, and spicy foods, as well as radish, strong tea, and other qi-dispersing substances, to prevent interference with the absorption and efficacy of the medicinal food. If concurrently taking other Chinese herbal medicines or health supplements, it is recommended to maintain an interval of at least 2 hours. Additionally, if signs of excessive heat or dry mouth occur, appropriately increase the proportion of water in the soup or add a small amount of Ophiopogon japonicus (Lilyturf root) and Polygonatum odoratum (Solomon’s seal) to balance the warm nature.