Chicken Soup with Dong Quai Serves 8 This recipe from herbalist David Winston of Broadway, N.J., combines chicken soup with the tradition of Chinese herbalism. Chicken broth is warming for the constitution, according to Chinese medicine, and helps those with weak stomach and spleen qi. Dong quai is a Chinese herb that benefits the blood and reproductive system. Winston says this soup can help women rebuild their strength following childbirth or heavy menstrual bleeding. It's also therapeutic for anyone who is underweight, has a poor appetite or suffers from diarrhea or deficient spleen qi.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes
2-pound package of hormone-free, natural chicken parts
3 quarts water
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped, fresh dill
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
1 cup sliced celery (including leaves)
1 1/2 cups sliced carrot
1 small root dong quai or 1 slice of the pressed root
1. Rinse chicken and add to water in a heavy stockpot. Bring to boil. Add the onion, chopped carrot and chopped celery. Cover and reduce heat; simmer for 1 hour.
2. Remove chicken from broth and shred meat into small pieces. Strain broth through a strainer/sieve and pour into the stockpot. Add sliced carrot and celery, bay leaf, dill, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 25 minutes.
3. Add chicken and dong quai and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf and root before serving.
Note: Dong quai is inadvisable for women who are pregnant or menstruating.