Huang Jing, Goji & Dang Shen Stewed Quail — A Gentle Yin and Qi Nourishing Soup

 

Kit Li

I went to a local farm shop and bought a pack of very fresh quail, which inspired me to prepare a nourishing yin-tonifying soup using Huang Jing (Polygonati Rhizoma, 黄精) (1,2), goji berries (Lycium barbarum, 枸杞子) (3,4), and Dang Shen (Codonopsis pilosula, 党参) (5,6).

This is not a “quick fix” kind of soup; it is traditionally used when the body is quietly depleted rather than acutely unwell, and it works best when taken once or twice a week over time to gently rebuild strength. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, quail is valued for tonifying qi and blood while helping to expel heat, resolve dampness, and regulate water metabolism. It is sweet in flavour, neutral in temperature, and is said to enter the Stomach, Spleen, Large Intestine, and Liver channels, making it nourishing without being cloying. 

Combined with Huang Jing, which deeply nourishes yin while also supporting qi, Dang Shen, which gently strengthens the middle burner and aids absorption, and goji berries, which enrich Liver and Kidney yin and blood, this soup is designed for steady, balanced nourishment. Overall, it strengthens the body in a calm, gradual way, supporting yin and qi without causing dryness or heaviness, and is particularly suitable for long-term depletion, dryness, or post-illness recovery once acute symptoms have resolved.

Huang Jing, Goji and Dang Shen Stewed Quail

Ingredients (1–2 servings)

• Fresh quail × 2 (cleaned, skin on for nourishment)
• Huang Jing (黄精) 10g
• Dang Shen (党参) 10g
• Goji berries (枸杞子) 8g
• Dried Lily bulbs (乾石合) 4g
• Maimendong (麥冬）4g
• Water

Stewed in a pressure cooker:

1. Clean and blanch the quail briefly for 1–2 minutes, then rinse. 
2. Quickly rinse Huang Jing, Dang Shen, and also Goji Berries, dried Lily bulbs and Maimendong.
3. Place all the ingredients and water into a clay pot. 
4. Put the clay pot with a cover and place in the pressure cooker.
5. Put a high setting in 'Stew' mode for 30 minutes.

This method shortens cooking time while still producing a deeply nourishing, gentle tonic suitable for regular use.

Caution: this soup is not ideal for

• Acute colds, fever, or damp-heat conditions
• Heavy phlegm, greasy tongue coating, or severe digestive stagnation

References:

1) Polygonati Rhizoma as a food and medicine — studies describe the biochemical composition and broad potential health effects of Huang Jing, including immune modulation and tonifying effects consistent with its historical use.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874123001642?utm_source

2) Pharmacological properties of Polygonatum and its active ingredients” — this type of review summarizes current scientific evidence showing that Polygonatum species (the source of Huang Jing) contain polysaccharides, flavonoids, and saponins with antioxidant, immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory effects.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10759625/?utm_source

3) Comprehensive review of chemical composition and bioactive compounds:

A 2025 review in Food Chemistry discusses the nutritional components, polysaccharides, carotenoids, flavonoids, and potential health-promoting activities of goji berries: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41092619/ 

4) Health benefits and applications: Other scientific reviews highlight goji’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and eye-health related activities based on phytochemical content and human/animal studies: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8868247/?utm_source

5) Systematic review on Codonopsis pilosula: Published research reviews the multiple biological actions of Codonopsis, including immune regulation, antioxidant effects, and support of gastrointestinal and endocrine systems in animal models and cell studies:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11128667/?utm_source

Huang Jing: The Humble Treasure of Qi and Yin Nourishment

Kit Li

In my earlier blog, I introduced Huang Qi (Astragalus) as one of the key herbs for promoting and replenishing Qi (Huang Qi and Tonifying Herbs for Strengthening Vitality) [1]

Today, I would like to share another treasured herb for nourishing Qi and Yin in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Huang Jing (黄精, Polygonatum Sibiricum).  

There is an old Chinese saying: 'RenShen is for the wealthy, but Huang Jing is for the poor.'  This reflects how Huang Jing has long been valued as a humble yet powerful tonic herb, accessible to ordinary people, while carrying remarkable benefits for nourishing both body and spirit.

Huang Jing (黄精, Polygonatum Sibiricum) [2, 3].  In ancient times, Huang Jing was seen as a powerful food for health and longevity.  Some even said that taking it regularly could help one 'live like an immortal'.

Properties: sweet, neutral

Channels: Spleen, Lung and Kidney

Functions: 

1) Tonifies Qi and Yin: Nourishes both Qi (vital energy) and Yin (body fluids and essence), making it a rare herb that strengthens without being too heating or too cloying.

2) Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach: Helps with fatigue, poor appetite, and weakness.  Used when someone feels depleted but doesn’t want overly heavy tonics like ginseng.

3) Moistens the Lungs: Eases dry cough, thirst, and lung Yin deficiency.  Good for people with a dry throat, weak voice, or lingering dry cough.

4) Nourishes the Kidneys and Essence (Jing): Traditionally believed to prolong life, support fertility, and restore vitality.  Helps with low back weakness, dizziness, or premature aging signs.

In ancient times, the people of the countryside often gathered Huang Jing from the deep mountains.  Whenever one was weary or weakened, its root were steamed and taken with wine, or simmered with chicken to restore strength.

Among the elders, there was a severed method of preparation: to steam and sun-dried the herb nine times in succession.  This practice, known as 'Nine Steamed and Nine Sun-Dried' (九蒸九晒), was said to refine its essence and elevate its virtue, until it rivaled the nourishing power of Ginseng itself.

Key research in supporting Huang Jing's effects:

1) Improves learning/memory, enhances brain function, delays aging. [4]

2) Regulates glucose and lipid metabolism, lowers blood glucose, reduces cholesterol/triglycerides. [5]

3) Immune modulation, lifting immunosuppression. [6]

4) Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory effects. [7]

Four-Treasure Vitality Tea: (四宝养生茶)

This tea is designed to tonify Qi, nourish Yin, strengthen the immunity, and enrich the blood, especially suitable for people with Qi and Blood deficiency, fatigue, or lowered immunity.  It is often used to enhance overall vitality, support the immune system, and protect cardiovascular health. 

Ingredients:

1) Huang Qi (黄芪, Astragalus): 10g

2) Huang Jing ( 黄精, Polygonatum sibiricum): 10g (cut into pieces)

3) American Ginseng (西洋参): 3–5 g (sliced)

4) Goji Berries (枸杞子): 10g

Preparation Method:

1) Rinse the herbs lightly.

2) Boil the above ingredients with 1000ml water.

3) Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer for 30 minutes.

4) Ready to drink.

Precautions:

1) Not suitable for acute infections (cold/flu with fever), excessive dampness/phlegm, or if you have a strong heat constitution.

2) Pregnant or nursing women, or people on medication (especially for blood sugar, blood pressure, or immune conditions), should consult a qualified TCM practitioner before use.

References:

 

1) Huang Qi and Tonifying Herbs for Strengthening Vitality

Huang Qi and Tonifying Herbs for Strengthening Vitality

 

2) Huang Jing, from medicine to healthy food and diet

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370967131_Huangjing-From_medicine_to_healthy_food_and_diet

 

3) Herbal textual research on Chinese medicine "Huangjing" (Polygonati Rhizoma)and some enlightenments

[Herbal textual research on Chinese medicine "Huangjing" (Polygonati Rhizoma)and some enlightenments] - PubMed

 

4) Polygonatum sibiricum ameliorated cognitive impairment of naturally aging rats through BDNF–TrkB signaling pathway

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfbc.14510?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

5) Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activity of Polygonatum sibiricum Fermented with Lactobacillus brevis YM 1301 in Diabetic C57BL/6 Mice

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34280031/

 

6) Characterization and Immunological Activities of Polysaccharides from Polygonatum sibiricum

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32475918/

 

7) Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide alleviates inflammatory cytokines and promotes glucose uptake in high‑glucose‑ and high‑insulin‑induced 3T3‑L1 adipocytes by promoting Nrf2 expression

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31485663/