A Nourishing Bowl of Morel Mushroom Soup: Where TCM Food Therapy Meets Modern Nutrition

Kit Li

Recently, a thoughtful patient gave me a pack of Morel mushrooms (Morchella, 羊肚菌) as a heartfelt gesture. His family had brought them back from Hong Kong, which made the gift feel even more special.

Morel mushrooms are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. From the perspective of modern nutrition, their value mainly comes from protein, dietary fibre, polysaccharides, minerals, and various bioactive compounds.

• Protein and amino acids: Morels contain a range of essential amino acids and can provide a useful source of fungal protein as part of a balanced diet.

• Dietary fibre: Helps support healthy bowel function, promotes satiety, and may contribute to a healthy gut microbiome.

• Minerals: Morels can provide potassium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, and other minerals, although their actual levels vary depending on the species, growing conditions, origin, and processing methods.

• Polysaccharides and phenolic compounds: Morels contain fungal polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and other bioactive substances. Experimental studies suggest that these may have potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects.

• Relatively low in fat: As a food, morels are relatively low in fat while providing a variety of nutrients.

From a TCM dietary perspective, morel mushrooms are traditionally regarded as an edible and medicinal fungus. They are described as sweet in flavour and neutral in nature, and are traditionally associated with supporting digestion, harmonising the Stomach, regulating Qi and transforming Phlegm. Modern research has explored their nutritional composition and potential biological activities; however, these findings should not be interpreted as directly validating their traditional TCM functions.

One important point should be emphasised: Experimental research has identified potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities in morels and their extracts, (1) (2) but much of this evidence comes from laboratory or animal studies and cannot be directly translated into proven clinical benefits in humans. Morel mushrooms are a nutritious food, but they should not be regarded as a treatment for cancer or other medical conditions.

Today, I’m going to show you how to make a gentle and nourishing soup that’s perfect for warming and comforting the stomach.

Morel Mushroom, Dried Chinese Yam, Pumpkin & Carrot Soup (suitable for vegetarian)

Serves 3 - 4

Ingredients:

• Morel mushrooms: 6 - 10g
• Dried Chinese yam (Huai Shan): 20 g
• Pumpkin: 250 g, cut into chunks
• Carrot: 2-3, cut into chunks
• Fresh ginger: 2 slices
• Water: approximately 1.5 - 2 litres
• Note: you can also add pork or chicken to the soup, if you like.

Pressure Cooker Method:

Rinse the dried Chinese yam and soak for around 10 - 15 minutes. Carefully wash the morel mushrooms to remove any dirt or grit.

Place all the ingredients into the pressure cooker. Add approximately 1.5 litres of water.  Cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes, then allow the pressure to release naturally for around 5 - 10 minutes.

Season lightly to taste and serve warm.

From a TCM dietary perspective, I particularly like using dried Chinese yam in this combination. Huai Shan is traditionally used to strengthen the Spleen and replenish Qi, nourish the Stomach and generate fluids, while also supporting the Lung and Kidney systems.

Combined with morel mushrooms, pumpkin and carrot, this makes a gentle and nourishing soup that is comforting without being overly rich or cloying.  Caution: Those with particularly weak digestion, abdominal bloating or frequent loose stools may prefer smaller portions and should observe how their body responds.

For me, this soup is more than simply a nourishing meal. It began with a thoughtful gift from a patient and became a lovely reminder that food can carry warmth, kindness and connection.

Food nourishes the body, but kindness nourishes the heart.

I hope you enjoy this simple and comforting recipe as much as I do.

Reference: 

1) Recent advances in the bioactive polysaccharides and other key components from Morchella spp. and biological activities: A review

2) 羊肚菌营养素、功能成分和保健功能研究进展

© 2026 Kit Li. All rights reserved. Please obtain permission before reproducing this article. Referenced materials remain the property of their respective rights holders.

The World Conference on the 19-20th September 2026 at Amsterdam

 

Kit Li

Last Friday, I travelled to Amsterdam for the 8th World Traditional Medicine Forum & World Traditional Chinese Medicine Services Trade Conference 2026 (第八届世界传统医药论坛暨世界中医药服务贸易大会).  Around 500 attendees came together from across the world, united by a shared interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

The conference welcomed guests from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands, and organisations representing traditional medicine and acupuncture. Among those attending were Kim Seung-cheol, Dong Zhilin, Liu Baoyan, Yang Jinsheng, Harm Elsinga, Ma Jun, Esther Buquet, Wen Yongxin and Han Ruiqing.

With cancer care through a TCM approach as a central theme, the two days gave me the chance to hear how practitioners in different countries approach their work. I also had the pleasure of meeting the forum’s director and committee members, along with professors, practitioners and students. I came away with new ideas to explore and, just as importantly, new friendships that I hope will grow well beyond Amsterdam.

The first day began with an inspiring opening ceremony. Two presentations stayed with me: one by Professor Winston Huang, who spoke about the Huang Thousand-Step Pulse Diagnosis, and another by neuro-acupuncture expert Professor Linda Hao.

Both shared stories of patients diagnosed with brain tumours or other advanced cancers. The videos they showed made the patients’ journeys especially moving. I was encouraged to hear about their progress while receiving conventional cancer treatment alongside TCM care.

It was an encouraging example of what thoughtful, coordinated care can look like. Afterwards, I was grateful for the chance to speak briefly with Professor Hao and tell her about my volunteer work as a neuro-acupuncturist at the hospice, where I offer patient-centred TCM support to people living with cancer.  Her kind words and encouragement have stayed with me. I left with much to reflect on and even more motivation to keep learning and developing my work. 

The programme also covered pain management, tongue diagnosis, gynaecology and paediatrics. Hearing such a range of perspectives made the day all the more stimulating, and I left with plenty to reflect on.

Beyond the presentations, I explored several demonstrations of new TCM products. One that caught my attention was an AI-assisted four-diagnostic device. It was new to me, although I understand it has already been available in parts of Asia, including Hong Kong.

I tried a consultation that took about five minutes. The device scanned my face and tongue, assessed my pulse, and asked a few general questions before producing a detailed report. I was surprised by how much information it presented in such a short time. It was fascinating to try, and it left me curious about how its findings compare with a practitioner’s assessment.

The second day was particularly meaningful for me. I had the honour of presenting “Integrative Traditional Chinese Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care: Clinical Case Studies from the United Kingdom.” Sharing these cases with an international audience was a memorable experience, and I was encouraged by the interest and discussion that followed.

The audience asked thoughtful, practical questions about Chinese herbal formula dosages and how UK regulations affect the use of animal and mineral substances. Those conversations reminded me how much we can learn when practitioners working in different settings share their experiences openly.

I’m sincerely grateful to the organisers for inviting me to present, and to everyone who listened, asked questions and shared their experiences. I came home with fresh perspectives and renewed motivation to keep learning.

What made the conference especially memorable were the people. It was a joy to meet others who share my passion for TCM and my commitment to caring for patients, to exchange ideas and to form new friendships. I hope the connections we made in Amsterdam will continue to grow. 

Reference:

第八届世界传统医药论坛暨世界中医药服务贸易大会在阿姆斯特丹:  https://www.tmbos.org/index/article/view/id/41023.html (Chinese)

https://www.worldtmf.org/index/article/view/id/17601.html （English)

© 2026 Kit Li. All rights reserved. Please obtain permission before reproducing this article. Referenced materials remain the property of their respective rights holders.

What We Inherit and What We Nourish

 

Kit Li

When someone asked me, “Can TCM help with hereditary diseases?” I thought this was a very interesting question.

“人之始生本乎精血之原，人之既生，由乎水谷之养。”

“At the beginning of life, a person is founded upon the source of Essence and Blood; after birth, life is sustained through the nourishment of food and drink.”

Zhang Jingyue《景岳全书》 (Jingyue Quanshu) (1)

From a TCM perspective, we often talk about Pre-natal Essence (先天之精) and Post-natal Essence (后天之精).

Pre-natal Essence (先天之精) is the basic constitution we inherit from our parents before birth. You can think of it as the constitutional foundation we begin life with. It influences growth, development, reproduction, ageing and our overall constitutional strength.

It is closely associated with the Kidneys, which is why the Kidney is traditionally described as “the foundation of the Pre-natal” (肾为先天之本).

We can loosely compare this idea with inherited characteristics in modern medicine, but Pre-natal Essence is not the same as genes or DNA. It is a traditional TCM concept describing our inherited constitutional foundation.

What we inherit cannot simply be changed. However, that does not mean our constitution exists in isolation. In TCM, the inherited foundation is continually nourished and supported by Post-natal Essence (后天之精).

Post-natal Essence (后天之精) depends particularly on the Spleen and Stomach, which transform food and drink and contribute to the production of Qi, Blood and Essence. Therefore, diet, lifestyle, rest, emotional wellbeing and the body's ability to receive and transform nourishment all contribute to how well our constitution is supported throughout life.

In simple terms, Pre-natal Essence is what we are born with; Post-natal Essence is how we nourish and support what we were born with.

Although we cannot change our inherited foundation, we may be able to influence how well it is nourished, preserved and supported throughout life.

So, can TCM help with hereditary diseases?

From this perspective, TCM is not about changing the inherited genetic cause of a disease. Instead, it may have a supportive role in caring for the person who lives with that inherited condition.

Through individualised approaches such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle support, the aim may be to strengthen the patient's acquired resources, manage symptoms, maintain function and support overall quality of life.

In other words, we may not be able to change what we inherited, but we can consider how best to nourish and preserve what we have.

This also reminds us that looking after our health is not only important for ourselves, but potentially for the generations that follow.

Our Post-natal Essence, supported by good nutrition, rest, lifestyle and emotional wellbeing, helps to nourish and preserve our constitutional and reproductive health throughout life.

When we choose to have children, TCM traditionally considers the health and Essence of both parents important in providing a strong constitutional foundation for the next generation (2)(3).

So although we cannot change what we were born with, we can take responsibility for how we nourish and preserve our health, and aim to provide the best possible foundation for the next generation.

References:

1) Zhang Jingyue 张景岳 《景岳全书》 -《景岳全书·卷之十七·理集·杂证谟·脾胃·论脾胃》

2) Assessing the influence of preconception paternal nutrition on offspring health: an evidence gap map

3) Origins of lifetime health around the time of conception: causes and consequences

© 2026 Kit Li. All rights reserved. Please obtain permission before reproducing this article. Referenced materials remain the property of their respective rights holders.