Ze Lan Jia Yu Tang: Bugleweed and Softshell Turtle Soup Guide

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

Ze Lan (Lycopus lucidus var. hirtus, hirsute shiny bugleweed) and softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis, Chinese softshell turtle) soup is a classical TCM medicinal diet with a long-standing history. The principle of combining these ingredients can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty’s *Compendium of Materia Medica* (Bencao Gangmu), which records the medicinal values of Ze Lan and softshell turtle. Ze Lan, also known as Di Gua Er Miao, is the dried aerial part of *Lycopus lucidus* var. *hirtus* (Lamiaceae). It is noted for its effects of activating blood and regulating menstruation, as well as promoting urination and reducing edema. Softshell turtle, that is, the Chinese softshell turtle (*Pelodiscus sinensis*), has long been regarded as a premium food ingredient for nourishing yin, cooling blood, tonifying deficiency, and nourishing yin. When combined, the soup has a clear broth, a fresh and mellow flavor, retaining the rich taste of the turtle while incorporating the subtle medicinal aroma of Ze Lan, making it a nourishing delicacy that integrates dietary therapy with deliciousness.

This soup has been passed down through folk tradition for a long time, especially in the Jiangnan water towns, where it is commonly used as a daily dietary supplement for postpartum recuperation or for individuals with yin deficiency and blood stasis constitution. Its preparation emphasizes the freshness of ingredients and precise heat control. Through slow simmering over low heat, the active components of Herba Lycopi (bugleweed, *Lycopus lucidus*) are fully infused into the broth, while the gelatin and nutrients of soft-shelled turtle (*Trionyx sinensis*) are completely released. The result is a medicinal soup with a mild therapeutic nature and rich flavor, highly esteemed by enthusiasts of traditional Chinese medicinal food therapy.

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

The core efficacy of Lycopus lucidus (Bugleweed) and Soft-shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) Soup lies in the synergistic action of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis combined with nourishing yin and enriching blood. Lycopus lucidus is bitter and pungent in flavor, slightly warm in nature, and enters the Liver (LR) and Spleen (SP) meridians. It excels at entering the blood aspect, invigorating blood and unblocking the channels, dispersing stasis and eliminating masses. It is particularly effective for conditions caused by blood stasis, such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea with abdominal pain, and persistent postpartum lochia. Soft-shelled Turtle is sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, and enters the Liver (LR) and Kidney (KI) meridians. It has the actions of nourishing yin and cooling blood, softening hardness and dissipating nodules. It is suitable for deficiency-consumptive disorders marked by yin deficiency with internal heat, steaming bone taxation heat, and chronic malaria. When combined, the two ingredients ensure that stasis is removed without damaging the upright qi, and deficiencies are tonified without retaining pathogenic factors, thus complementing each other.

Modern nutritional analysis indicates that softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is rich in high-quality protein, various amino acids, vitamin A, vitamin E, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron, effectively enhancing immune function and promoting tissue repair. Lycopus lucidus (bugleweed) contains volatile oils, lycopose, flavonoids, and other active constituents with pharmacological actions including improving microcirculation, anticoagulation, anti-inflammation, and analgesia. Therefore, this soup demonstrates positive adjunctive value in improving hemorheological parameters, regulating female endocrine function, and alleviating chronic inflammation.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine

From the perspective of TCM syndrome differentiation-based dietary therapy, the subtlety of *Zelan* (Herba Lycopi – Bugleweed) and *Jia Yu* (Trionyx sinensis – Soft-shelled Turtle) Soup lies in the配伍 wisdom of “attacking and supplementing simultaneously” (攻补兼施). *Zelan* tends to enter the blood aspect, excels at activating blood and promoting urination, can dredge the uterine vessels and resolve stasis and stagnation, and is especially suitable for conditions such as menstrual edema and lower abdominal distension and bearing-down sensation caused by blood stasis and water retention. *Jia Yu*, on the other hand, excels at replenishing true yin (真阴), particularly nourishing liver and kidney yin and clearing deficiency heat. When used together, they activate blood without consuming yin, and nourish yin without retaining pathogenic factors, precisely matching the pathogenesis of “binding of stasis and heat, yin deficiency and blood stasis” (瘀热互结、阴虚血瘀).

Pharmacological properties of Lycopus lucidus (Bugleweed)

Zelan enters the Liver Meridian and blood aspect. Its blood-activating property is gentle and sustained, not drastic or aggressive, making it suitable for conditions of chronic blood stasis or postpartum blood stasis. Meanwhile, its diuretic effect assists the distribution of the soft-shelled turtle’s yin fluids throughout the body, avoiding the drawback of being cloying and obstructive to the stomach, so that the entire formula tonifies without causing stagnation and moves without causing dryness.

The nourishing properties of Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)

Softshell turtle (Trionyx sinensis) is considered a “sentient being with flesh and blood” (animal substance that nourishes blood and essence). Its shell (Carapax Trionycis) and meat used together have dual actions of softening hardness and dissipating masses (ruan jian san jie) as well as nourishing yin and subduing yang (zi yin qian yang). The yin-nourishing property of softshell turtle can counteract the mild warmth of Bugleweed (Lycopus lucidus), making the overall formula more balanced and suitable for long-term regulation. Additionally, softshell turtle is rich in collagen and trace elements, which are highly beneficial for tissue repair and improving skin luster.

Indications

This decoction is particularly suitable for the following groups: first, individuals with a Blood Stasis pattern, commonly presenting with a dark complexion, purple-dark lips, dry and scaly skin, and petechiae or ecchymoses on the tongue; women in this group often experience dysmenorrhea with dark menstrual blood containing clots. Second, those with a Yin Deficiency and Internal Heat pattern, manifested as emaciation, dry mouth and throat, heat in the five centers (palms, soles, and chest), night sweats, and excessive dreaming; this pattern is particularly common in menopausal women or those who frequently stay up late. Third, patients in the postpartum or post-surgical recovery period, who require a dual approach of activating blood and expelling stasis combined with nourishing yin and enriching blood.

Moreover, for patients with chronic hepatitis, early-stage liver cirrhosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and other conditions presenting with the TCM pattern of “Stasis-Heat Binding” (瘀热互结), moderate use under the guidance of a professional practitioner can help alleviate symptoms and delay disease progression. For sub-healthy individuals who spend long hours at a desk or remain sedentary, leading to poor pelvic blood circulation, taking it two to three times per month may also effectively activate blood and unblock collaterals, while nourishing yin and blood.

Contraindicated Populations

Although the Lycopus lucidus and Softshell Turtle Soup (Zelan Jia Yu Tang) is considered a mild tonic, it is not suitable for everyone. The first group of contraindicated individuals is pregnant women, because the blood-activating and meridian-unblocking action of Lycopus lucidus (Zelan) stimulates the uterus and may induce uterine contractions; it should be strictly avoided especially during the first trimester. The softshell turtle (Jia Yu) is cloying and greasy in nature, which is also unfavorable for the transformation and transport functions of the spleen and stomach during pregnancy. The second group consists of those with Spleen-Stomach Yang Deficiency Cold pattern, presenting with epigastric and abdominal cold pain, loose stools, poor appetite, and a pale tongue with a thick white coating. Since the nourishing yin properties of softshell turtle tend to promote dampness and obstruct the stomach, and although Lycopus lucidus is slightly warm in nature, the overall formula is rather cloying and may aggravate the middle jiao deficiency cold.

The third category of contraindicated individuals includes those with Yang deficiency edema, presenting with aversion to cold and cold extremities, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, clear and profuse urination, and pitting edema of the lower limbs. In such cases, the treatment principle should be to warm Yang and transform Qi rather than nourish Yin and invigorate blood. This soup would not only be ineffective but may also delay the treatment of the condition. Additionally, individuals with an allergic constitution to soft-shelled turtle or Chinese bugleweed (Lycopus lucidus), those with persistent fever during an acute infection, and patients with severe liver and kidney dysfunction should also avoid taking this soup, or use it cautiously under the guidance of a licensed TCM practitioner.

Ingredient Formula Ratios

The standard formula and proportions for Ze Lan Turtle Soup are as follows: 1 live soft-shelled turtle, approximately 500 to 600 grams (preferably a female turtle, as its calipash is thicker and richer in gelatin); 15 grams of dried Ze Lan (Lycopus lucidus, bugleweed) (30 grams if fresh); 10 grams of fresh ginger slices; 6 red jujubes (Ziziphus jujuba, Chinese date), about 15 grams; 5 grams of goji berries (Lycium barbarum, wolfberry); 3 grams of salt; 15 ml of yellow rice wine (Shaoxing wine); and 2000 ml of water. This proportion serves 2 to 3 people. The medicinal property of the soup is mild and balanced, making it suitable for daily home health regulation.

If fine-tuning according to constitution is needed, the following suggestions can be referenced: For marked Yin deficiency, add 10g Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai Dong) and 10g Polygonatum odoratum (Yu Zhu) to strengthen the action of nourishing Yin and moistening dryness; for severe blood stasis, add 10g Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen) and 6g Prunus persica (Tao Ren) to enhance the effect of activating blood and resolving stasis; with concurrent Qi deficiency, add 15g Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) and 10g Codonopsis pilosula (Dang Shen) to assist Qi in moving blood. However, note that it is best to consult a professional TCM practitioner before adding any herbs on your own, in order to maintain precise correspondence between formula and pattern.

Cooking method

Step 1: Slaughter the softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Turn the turtle over onto its back, with the belly facing upward. When the head and neck extend out, quickly grasp them. Use a knife to cut at the junction of the neck and the dorsal shell to let blood drain. Then, place it in hot water at 70–80°C for approximately 2 minutes. Remove and scrape off the black membrane from the body surface. Pry off the dorsal shell, remove the internal organs (retain the liver, gallbladder, and eggs). Cut off the tips of the claws, and chop the meat into pieces of 3–4 cm square. Rinse with clean water until no blood remains.

Step two: Pre-process the medicinal materials. Quickly rinse Lycopus lucidus (Bugleweed) with clean water to remove surface dust, then place it in a gauze bag and tie the opening tightly to prevent herb fragments from dispersing and affecting the taste. Slice Zingiber officinale (Ginger), remove the pits from Ziziphus jujuba (Jujube/Red date), and soak Lycium barbarum (Goji berry) in warm water for 5 minutes before setting aside. Blanch the softshell turtle pieces in boiling water for 3 minutes, skim off any foam, then remove and rinse with warm water.

Step 3: Simmer the soup. Place a clay pot on the stove, and in it add the softshell turtle pieces, the muslin bag of Lycopus lucidus (Chinese bugleweed), fresh ginger slices, and red jujubes (Chinese dates). Pour in 2000 ml of water and 15 ml of yellow rice wine (Shaoxing wine). Bring to a rapid boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to low heat. Cover the pot and simmer for 60 minutes. Afterward, remove the Lycopus lucidus muslin bag, add goji berries (Lycium barbarum / Fructus Lycii) and salt. Continue to simmer over low heat for another 10 minutes, then turn off the heat. Before serving, sprinkle a little chopped scallion for garnish. The soup should be clear and fragrant.

Tips for Consumption

First, this soup should be taken warm on an empty stomach or before meals to facilitate absorption of the medicinal constituents. Consume one small bowl (approximately 200 to 250 ml) per meal, once daily, for a course of 3 to 5 consecutive days. Then, allow an interval of one week before beginning the next course. It is not advisable to take it continuously over a long period, as this may cause cloying and obstruct the Stomach.

Second, maintain a light diet during the medication period, and avoid consuming raw, cold, greasy, spicy, or pungent foods, as well as qi-breaking foods such as radish (Raphanus sativus), to prevent compromising the therapeutic effect. Pay special attention to avoid eating cold-natured aquatic products like crab (Brachyura) and river snail (Viviparidae) simultaneously. Since softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is already a rich and cloying ingredient, combining it with cold-natured substances may easily damage the Spleen and Stomach yang qi, leading to abdominal pain or diarrhea.

Third, the soup should be freshly prepared and consumed immediately; it is not suitable for overnight storage. If a large batch is made and not finished, strain out the herbal residue and refrigerate the soup and meat separately, but it must be reheated to a boil and consumed within 24 hours. Although freezing can extend the storage time, it will damage the gelatinous texture of the softshell turtle (Trionyx sinensis) and may cause the active medicinal constituents to precipitate out; therefore, long-term freezing is not recommended.