10 Recipes from Li Shizhen’s Compendium of Materia Medica for Modern Health

Here are 10 unique recipes inspired by Li Shizhen's teachings, focusing on ingredients that balance the body and address common ailments. These recipes offer new and exciting ways to incorporate TCM wisdom into your meals.

1. White Fungus and Longan Dessert Soup (For Skin and Yin Nourishment)

This sweet soup nourishes Yin, hydrates the body, and promotes glowing skin.

Ingredients:

  • 1 piece dried white fungus (soaked and trimmed)

  • 8 dried longans

  • 10 lotus seeds (soaked if dried)

  • 4 cups water

  • 2 tbsp rock sugar

Instructions:

  1. Soak the white fungus in water until soft (about 20 minutes), then trim into smaller pieces.

  2. In a pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the white fungus, longans, and lotus seeds.

  3. Simmer on low heat for 40 minutes. Add rock sugar and stir until dissolved.

  4. Serve warm or chilled.

Why it works:
White fungus hydrates and nourishes Lung Yin, while longans and lotus seeds calm the mind and promote relaxation.

2. Seaweed and Tofu Soup (For Clearing Heat and Reducing Phlegm)

This light, detoxifying soup is ideal for clearing damp-heat and resolving phlegm.

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet dried seaweed (wakame or nori), rehydrated

  • 1 block silken tofu, cubed

  • 4 cups vegetable broth

  • 1 tsp sesame oil

  • 1 scallion, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a pot.

  2. Add the tofu cubes and rehydrated seaweed. Simmer for 5 minutes.

  3. Drizzle with sesame oil and garnish with chopped scallions before serving.

Why it works:
Seaweed clears heat and reduces phlegm, while tofu nourishes Yin and cools the body.

3. Black Bean and Ginger Soup (For Strengthening Kidney Qi)

This hearty soup helps support Kidney function and promotes energy and vitality.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup black beans (soaked overnight)

  • 4 slices fresh ginger

  • 6 cups water

  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Drain the soaked black beans and place them in a pot with ginger and water.

  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1.5–2 hours until the beans are soft.

  3. Add salt and serve warm.

Why it works:
Black beans tonify Kidney Qi, while ginger warms and invigorates the body.

4. Pine Nut and Spinach Stir-Fry (For Liver Qi and Blood Nourishment)

A quick and nourishing dish that soothes the Liver and supports blood health.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh spinach, washed

  • 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

  1. Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.

  2. Add spinach and stir-fry until wilted (about 2 minutes).

  3. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and serve immediately.

Why it works:
Spinach nourishes the blood and soothes the Liver, while pine nuts add warmth and grounding energy.

5. Fresh Bamboo Shoot Salad (For Dampness and Heat)

Bamboo shoots are cooling and help drain dampness from the body.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh bamboo shoots (thinly sliced)

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

  • 1 tsp soy sauce

  • 1 tsp grated ginger

Instructions:

  1. Blanch the bamboo shoots in boiling water for 3 minutes, then drain and cool.

  2. In a bowl, mix sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger to make the dressing.

  3. Toss the bamboo shoots with the dressing and serve as a light salad.

Why it works:
Bamboo shoots are detoxifying and help remove damp-heat, while ginger enhances digestion.

6. Pickled Mustard Greens (For Digestion and Appetite Stimulation)

This tangy side dish aids digestion and clears heat in the Stomach.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mustard greens, chopped

  • 1 tbsp salt

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

  • 1 tsp sugar

Instructions:

  1. Massage the mustard greens with salt and let sit for 30 minutes to release water.

  2. Rinse and squeeze out excess water.

  3. Mix with rice vinegar and sugar, then let marinate for 1 hour before serving.

Why it works:
Mustard greens improve digestion and stimulate the appetite, while vinegar helps regulate Liver Qi.

7. Red Date and Black Sesame Balls (For Blood and Kidney Nourishment)

These bite-sized treats are perfect for nourishing blood and supporting vitality.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup black sesame seeds, toasted

  • 1/2 cup red dates (pitted)

  • 2 tbsp honey

Instructions:

  1. Blend the toasted sesame seeds and red dates into a paste using a food processor.

  2. Add honey and mix until smooth.

  3. Roll the mixture into small balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Why it works:
Red dates nourish blood, while black sesame seeds strengthen the Kidneys and hair.

8. Shiitake Mushroom and Daikon Soup (For Lung and Immune Health)

This soup supports Lung health and boosts immunity during colder months.

Ingredients:

  • 4 dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced

  • 1 cup daikon radish, cubed

  • 4 cups vegetable broth

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 scallion, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Bring vegetable broth to a boil, then add sliced shiitake mushrooms and daikon radish.

  2. Simmer for 20 minutes until the daikon is tender.

  3. Add soy sauce, garnish with scallions, and serve.

Why it works:
Daikon clears heat and phlegm, while shiitake mushrooms strengthen immunity.

9. Snow Fungus and Almond Milk Dessert (For Yin Nourishment)

A creamy dessert that hydrates the body and nourishes Lung Yin.

Ingredients:

  • 1 piece snow fungus, soaked and trimmed

  • 2 cups almond milk

  • 2 tbsp rock sugar

Instructions:

  1. Simmer the soaked snow fungus in almond milk for 20 minutes.

  2. Stir in rock sugar and simmer until dissolved.

  3. Serve warm or chilled.

Why it works:
Snow fungus hydrates and supports Lung health, while almond milk is nourishing and soothing.

10. Yam and Chicken Soup (For Energy and Qi Tonification)

A hearty soup that strengthens Qi and supports the Spleen and Stomach.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Chinese yam (fresh or dried, sliced)

  • 1 chicken breast, cubed

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • 2 slices fresh ginger

Instructions:

  1. Bring chicken broth to a boil and add yam, chicken, and ginger.

  2. Simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the yam is tender.

  3. Serve hot.

Why it works:
Chinese yam strengthens Spleen and Lung Qi, while chicken provides nourishment and energy.

Conclusion

These 10 recipes from Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica are perfect for addressing various conditions while fitting seamlessly into modern life. By incorporating ingredients like white fungus, bamboo shoots, and black sesame, you can enjoy balanced and delicious meals that honor ancient TCM wisdom. 🌿✨

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