Stewed Ox Spleen with Sophora Flower Buds: A TCM Medicinal Diet

Stewed Beef Spleen with Sophora Flower Buds and Rice – Medicinal Diet Education

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

Sophora flower bud and ox spleen soup is a traditional medicinal dish that simultaneously clears heat and cools blood, strengthens the spleen and tonifies deficiency. It has long been recorded in the folk dietary regimens of the Lingnan and Jiangnan regions. Sophora flower bud (Flos Sophorae Immaturus) is the dried flower bud of Sophora japonica (Fabaceae). Its nature is slightly cold and taste bitter, entering the Liver (LR) and Large Intestine (LI) meridians. Ox spleen (bovine spleen, also known as “niu lian tie” in folk tradition) has a sweet and neutral nature, entering the Spleen (SP) and Stomach (ST) meridians. It possesses the dietary value of strengthening the spleen, dispersing accumulation, promoting transportation, and transforming dampness. When combined, one clears and the other tonifies, so that cooling the blood does not damage healthy qi, and tonifying deficiency does not exacerbate heat. This preparation is especially suitable for seasonal nourishment during the transition from spring to summer, when damp-heat is relatively heavy and blood heat is prone to manifest.

The culinary concept of this medicinal dish originates from the ancient “like treats like” (organotherapy) dietary tradition, and further integrates the specialized action of *Sophora flower* (*Huaihua*; *Styphnolobium japonicum* flower) in clearing blood heat. The Ming Dynasty *Compendium of Materia Medica* (*Bencao Gangmu*) records that *Sophora flower* can “treat five types of hemorrhoids, heart pain, and red eyes,” while bovine spleen is included in many regional food-and-medicine *materia medica*, which state that it “treats spleen deficiency with poor appetite, as well as food accumulation and epigastric fullness.” The preparation of *Sophora flower buds* (*Huaimi*) stewed with bovine spleen is not merely for flavor; it follows the principle of “medicine borrowing the power of food, food assisting the potency of medicine.” The resulting soup is clear with a faint yellow hue, carrying the unique refreshing fragrance of *Sophora flower* on entry, complemented by the rich, mellow taste of bovine spleen, leaving a sweet, subtle aftertaste.

· Historical Origins of the Homology of Medicine and Food

In traditional food therapy, Sophora japonica flower buds (Huai Hua Mi) are commonly used to address blood-heat-induced hematochezia and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Meanwhile, ox spleen (from yellow cattle or water buffalo) has long been regarded as an important ingredient for strengthening the spleen and supplementing qi. Combining these two ingredients in a soup is a folk practice embodying the principle of “simultaneous clearing and supplementing,” particularly suitable for complex constitutions involving both spleen deficiency with dampness and internal disturbance of blood heat.

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

The core effects of Sophora Flower Bud and Bovine Spleen Soup can be summarized as “clearing the intestines and cooling blood, strengthening the spleen and aiding transportation.” The active components in Sophora flower buds, such as rutin and quercetin, reduce capillary permeability and assist in regulating bleeding tendencies due to reckless movement of blood from blood heat. Bovine spleen, rich in protein, various enzymes, and B vitamins, promotes the secretion of gastrointestinal digestive fluids and improves symptoms of spleen deficiency such as poor appetite and postprandial abdominal distension. Together, they clear intestinal blood heat and fortify the spleen’s transportation and transformation functions.

From a modern nutritional perspective, this product provides significant relief for hemorrhoidal attacks, dry stools with blood, and anal burning caused by irregular diet and excessive consumption of spicy foods. Additionally, the iron and trace zinc elements in bovine spleen (Bos taurus) help improve sallow complexion and spirit fatigue (fatigue and lack of strength) resulting from chronic blood loss or Spleen deficiency with poor absorption. Regular consumption can gradually regulate the intestinal microecology and reduce the recurrence of internal accumulation of Damp-Heat.

Balancing Cooling Blood and Tonifying Deficiency

Sophora flower bud (Flos Sophorae Immaturus) is cold and cool in nature; if used alone, it may easily damage the spleen and stomach’s yang qi, and in particular may induce diarrhea in those with Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency. Ox spleen, being warm and nourishing to the Middle Burner, strengthens the acquired constitution (Postnatal Essence) and thus can precisely counteract the cold-cool nature of Sophora flower bud. This allows the entire formula to cool the blood without impairing yang, and to tonify the spleen without stagnating qi, exemplifying the medicinal culinary principle of “restraining the nature while preserving the function” (制性存用).

The functions of Traditional Chinese Medicine

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sophora flower buds (Flos Sophorae Immaturus) are bitter in flavor and slightly cold in nature, specifically enter the Liver (LR) and Large Intestine (LI) meridians, and have the actions of cooling blood to stop bleeding and clearing the Liver to drain fire. The *Ri Hua Zi’s Materia Medica* states that they “treat the five types of hemorrhoids, heart pain, red eyes, kill abdominal worms, treat skin wind, and intestinal wind with hematochezia.” Sophora flower buds are particularly adept at treating hematochezia and hemorrhoidal bleeding due to Large Intestine blood heat, as they can clear and drain stagnant heat from the intestinal organs, causing blood to return to the vessels. Ox spleen, with its sweet and neutral nature, enters the Spleen (SP) and Stomach (ST) meridians, and is skilled at tonifying the Spleen to boost qi, and dissipating accumulation to transform stagnation. It is especially suitable for patterns such as Spleen deficiency with poor appetite, food stagnation without transformation, and epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness.

From the perspective of zang-fu pattern differentiation, this medicinal primarily addresses the pattern of “spleen deficiency with damp-heat, blood heat internally harassing.” The spleen governs transportation and transformation. If the spleen is deficient, water-dampness is not transformed; when dampness stagnates over time, it transforms into heat. Damp-heat descending into the large intestine can scorch the blood collaterals and cause hemafecia (blood in stool). At the same time, spleen deficiency fails to command blood, allowing blood to overflow outside the vessels – this is also an important pathogenesis of bleeding. Flos Sophorae Immaturus (Huaihua Mi) clears the intestines and cools blood to treat the branch, while Niu Pi (bovine spleen) strengthens the spleen and supplements qi to treat the root. Treating both the branch and root allows damp-heat to be cleared and spleen transportation to be restored, so that blood naturally returns to its vessels.

Treatment Approach for Large Intestine Damp-Heat Pattern

In clinical dietary therapy applications, *Sophora flower bud and ox spleen soup* (Huai Hua Mi Bao Niu Pi) is often recommended for patients with mild symptoms differentiated in Traditional Chinese Medicine as “Large Intestine Damp-Heat” (Dachang Shire) or “Spleen Deficiency with Damp-Heat” (Pi Xu Shire). Typical manifestations include: sticky, unsatisfying stools; a burning sensation in the anus during defecation; occasional blood-streaked stools; abdominal distension with poor appetite; and a yellow, greasy tongue coating. This soup simultaneously clears and tonifies, making it especially suitable for modern urban populations who exhibit the above symptoms due to busy work schedules and irregular dietary habits.

Suitable Population

This product is most suitable for the following three groups of people: First, those with mild hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or hematochezia due to intestinal wind (Chang Feng Bian Xue), especially individuals who experience recurring episodes due to excessive blood heat (Xue Re) caused by a diet rich in spicy foods, prolonged sitting, or standing. Second, patients with chronic indigestion characterized by spleen deficiency (Pi Xu), manifesting as poor appetite, sallow complexion (Mian Se Wei Huang), and fatigue with lack of strength (Ti Pi Fa Li). The spleen-strengthening (Jian Pi) action of bovine spleen (Niu Pi) can help improve nutrient absorption. Third, individuals with a damp-heat (Shi Re) constitution during the late spring to early summer transition or the long summer (Chang Xia) damp-heat season, who experience symptoms such as dry mouth with bitter taste (Kou Gan Kou Ku), sticky stools (Da Bian Nian Zhi), and a heavy, lethargic feeling in the body (Shen Zhong Kun Juan). The heat-clearing and dampness-draining (Qing Re Li Shi) effects of Sophora japonica flower buds (Huai Hua Mi) can effectively alleviate these discomforts.

Furthermore, for individuals whose high work stress and emotional distress lead to Liver fire hyperactivity, manifesting as irritability, red eyes, headache, and dry stool, a decoction of Sophora flower bud (Flos Sophorae) and ox spleen also offers auxiliary regulating effects. This is because it can clear the Liver and drain Fire, moisten the Intestines and unblock the bowels, allowing the Liver fire to be discharged through the Large Intestine—a strategy known as “removing firewood from under the cauldron.”

Contraindicated populations

Patients with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold pattern should use with caution. Those who normally experience aversion to cold, cold extremities, loose stools or undigested food in the stools, tastelessness and no thirst, with a pale, enlarged tongue and teeth marks may find that taking *Sophora japonica* flower bud (Huai Hua Mi) stewed with bovine spleen aggravates deficiency cold symptoms, because *Sophora japonica* flower bud is slightly cold in nature and easily damages spleen yang. Pregnant women and those during menstruation are also advised to use with caution, as the blood-activating and blood-cooling property of *Sophora japonica* flower bud may disturb the fetal origin or affect normal menstrual discharge; it should not be consumed unless necessary.

Individuals with allergies to Sophora flower (Flos Sophorae) or beef protein should avoid consumption. Additionally, those taking anticoagulant medications (e.g., warfarin) or platelet function inhibitors should use it under the guidance of a physician, as rutin in Sophora flower buds may enhance anticoagulant effects and increase bleeding risk. During external contraction of wind-cold or acute febrile infection, it is also advisable to suspend intake to avoid trapping pathogens internally.

Precautions for Special Constitutions

For individuals who are prone to diarrhea or have hyperactive bowel sounds (borborygmi) on a regular basis, even in the absence of obvious Cold signs, it is recommended to reduce the dosage of Flos Sophorae Immaturus (Sophora japonica flower buds, Huai Hua Mi) when taking this formula, or to combine it with two slices of fresh Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis (ginger, Sheng Jiang) to counteract its Cold nature. Overall, Huai Hua Mi stewed with ox spleen (Niu Pi) is a relatively cooling medicinal diet; it is suitable for Heat patterns, but should be avoided in Cold patterns.

Ingredient Formula Proportions

Sophora japonica flower buds (Flos Sophorae Immaturus, dried): 15 g. It is preferable to select those with a yellowish-white color, a clear fragrance, and free from impurities. If using fresh Sophora japonica flowers, the dosage can be increased to 30 g, but the fresh product has a milder effect and requires thorough cleaning.

Cow Spleen (also known as Niu Lian Tie): 1 piece, approximately 300–350 grams. Fresh specimens with a rosy color, smooth surface, and no blemishes are preferred. If fresh cow spleen is unavailable, frozen products may be substituted, but they must be fully thawed and soaked in ginger water to eliminate any odor.

Pork lean meat: 100 g (optional, to enhance umami). Cut the lean meat into thumb-sized cubes, blanch in boiling water, and set aside. This ingredient is not essential, but adding it will make the soup more mellow and balanced.

Honeyed jujube (Ziziphus jujuba): 2 pieces (approx. 20 g), used for their sweet, moderating and harmonizing effect, while also neutralizing the slightly astringent taste of sophora flower buds (Sophora japonica).

Fresh Ginger (Zingiber officinale): 3 slices (approx. 6g). Removes fishy odors and disperses Cold, counteracting the Cold and Cool nature of Sophora Flower Buds (Flos Sophorae Immaturus).

Clear water: 2000 ml (approximately 8 bowls). During the decoction process, about one-third evaporates, yielding a final decoction of approximately 1200–1500 ml.

Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients. Rinse the beef spleen under running water, remove the surface fascia, and cut into cubes about 2 cm on each side. Cut the lean pork into cubes. Place both the beef spleen and pork into a pot of cold water, add two slices of ginger (Zingiber officinale). Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off any foam, then remove and rinse with warm water.

Step 2: Processing Sophora Flower Buds. Place the dried Sophora flower buds (Flos Sophorae Immaturus) into a fine-mesh strainer and quickly rinse under running water to remove surface dust. Note: do not wash for too long to avoid losing active constituents. After rinsing, drain well, wrap in a gauze bag, tie securely, and place into the soup pot.

Step 3: Simmer the soup. Place a clay pot or ceramic soup pot on the stove. Add the blanched beef spleen pieces, lean pork pieces, a gauze bag of Sophora japonica flower buds (Huai Hua Mi), honey dates, and the remaining slice of ginger in order. Pour in enough water at once (about 2000 ml). Cover the pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.

Step Four: Season and Serve. Simmer until the bovine spleen becomes tender and the soup turns a clear, light yellow. Remove the gauze bag containing *Flos Sophorae Immaturus* (pagoda tree flower buds), gently squeezing out any residual liquid before discarding. Season with an appropriate amount of salt according to personal taste. Do not add soy sauce or excessive salty seasonings, so as to preserve the soup’s naturally elegant flavor. Turn off the heat, cover, and let it rest for 5 minutes before ladling out and serving.

· Key Fire-Processing Tips

Maintain a low, gentle simmer throughout the soup-making process, avoiding high heat which would make the soup cloudy. The ox spleen requires sufficient time to become tender and flavorful; using a pressure cooker can reduce the cooking time to 30 minutes, but the flavor is slightly inferior to slow cooking in a clay pot. Sophora flower buds (Flos Sophorae Immaturus) cannot withstand prolonged boiling; 1.5 hours is sufficient, as longer cooking will cause loss of aroma and diminish the medicinal effect.

Tips for Consumption

1. Optimal time for consumption: It is recommended to take it warm 1 hour before lunch or dinner, 200–250 ml (approximately one bowl) each time, with a course of 3–5 consecutive days as a regulation cycle. For those with pronounced Blood Heat symptoms, it can be taken for 7 consecutive days, followed by a 2–3 day interval before resuming.

2. Pair with a light diet: During the period of taking this decoction, meals should be light and low in fat, avoiding spicy and grilled foods, deep-fried and greasy items, and strong alcohol, which can generate heat and dampness. It is advisable to incorporate vegetables that clear heat and drain dampness, such as white radish, wax gourd, and celery, to enhance the overall effect.

3. Storage and Reheating Principles: If a large batch is prepared at one time, the soup can be strained and portioned into sealed glass jars, then refrigerated for no more than 48 hours. When reheating for consumption, bring to a full boil; do not microwave for too long to avoid damaging the active constituents. The beef spleen left in the dregs can be dipped in a small amount of soy sauce or spiced salt and eaten, but excessive consumption is not advisable.

4. Personalized Adjustments: For individuals with a heat constitution, increase Flos Sophorae Immaturus (Sophora flower bud) to 20 g; for those with weak Spleen and Stomach, reduce Flos Sophorae Immaturus to 10 g and add 2 additional slices of Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (fresh ginger). Children, the elderly, and post-surgical recovery patients are advised to consult a professional TCM practitioner before consumption to adjust the formula according to their constitution.