Prunella & Abalone Soup: Support Liver Function and Nourish Vitality

Introduction to Nourishing Diet

Prunella and Lean Meat Abalone Soup is a classic nourishing dish originating from the Lingnan region, combining the qualities of Prunella vulgaris in supporting the body’s natural cooling functions and promoting comfort with the actions of abalone in nourishing yin and benefiting essence. In folk tradition, it is commonly consumed as a daily health-supporting soup, especially suitable during spring and summer when the body’s natural balance may shift. The soup is clear with a slight yellow tint, tastes fresh, sweet, and moist, and carries the distinctive mild grassy aroma of Prunella vulgaris. It is both a delicious culinary soup and a gentle nourishing formula.

This soup features Prunella vulgaris, fresh abalone, and lean pork as the main ingredients, supplemented with fresh ginger to remove fishy taste and harmonize the stomach. Prunella vulgaris is the dried spike of Prunella vulgaris, a plant in the Lamiaceae family. It was classified as a medium-grade herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), with records of supporting the body’s response to occasional thermal discomfort and promoting normal tissue comfort. Abalone has been regarded as a marine delicacy since ancient times; in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is said to “nourish yin, support the body’s natural cooling, boost essence, and help maintain eye comfort.” Paired with Prunella vulgaris, one supports clearing while the other provides nourishment, making it especially suitable for modern-day stress and occasional sleep difficulties. Lean pork serves to nourish the spleen and stomach and harmonize the various ingredients, ensuring that the entire soup has gentle properties without overwhelming the body’s natural vitality.

Benefits of Nourishing Diet

The primary effects of the Xia Ku Cao (Prunella vulgaris) Lean Meat and Abalone Soup can be summarized as supporting the body’s natural cooling functions, promoting a sense of ease, and nourishing body fluids. It may help promote comfort for occasional feelings of tension, irritability, and dryness in the mouth and throat—conditions arising from temporary internal imbalance. Additionally, Xia Ku Cao is known to support the body’s natural ability to maintain normal lymph node comfort and thyroid health, while the abalone provides nourishment to support healthy yin and blood levels, preventing excessive cooling from disturbing the body’s natural moisture.

Modern research shows that Prunella vulgaris contains triterpenoid saponins, alkaloids, and other constituents, supporting a healthy inflammatory response, maintaining normal cell function, and helping to sustain healthy blood pressure levels already within the normal range. Abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) is rich in protein, amino acids, and trace elements, which can support immune function. Therefore, this soup is not only suitable for those seeking to support liver and eye comfort, but is also appropriate as a daily dietary addition for individuals looking to nourish overall wellness and maintain normal immune function.

The role of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Xiakucao (Prunella vulgaris) – Supports the body’s natural cooling functions, promotes a sense of ease, and helps maintain normal tissue comfort.

Prunella vulgaris is bitter and acrid in flavor, cool in nature, and enters the Liver (LR) and Gallbladder (GB) meridians. Bitterness supports drainage, coolness helps the body’s natural cooling, and acridity promotes a sense of ease; therefore, it is adept at supporting the liver’s natural cooling and promoting comfort for occasional phlegm-qi stagnation. It can be used to support the body’s response to occasional red, swollen eyes, headache, and dizziness due to temporary internal imbalance, as well as to promote comfort for the neck and throat area (e.g., thyroid and lymph node health) resulting from occasional phlegm-fire imbalance. The *Ben Cao Qiu Zhen* (Truth Seeking of Materia Medica) states that it “can support comfort in the neck and throat area due to its ability to promote a sense of ease and reduce phlegm.”

Abalone – Nourishes yin and supports the body’s natural cooling, benefits essence and nourishes blood

Abalone is sweet and salty in flavor, neutral in nature, and enters the Liver (LR) and Kidney (KI) meridians. The salty flavor can support normal tissue flexibility, the sweet flavor can provide nourishment, and the neutral nature means it is neither cold nor hot. Abalone can both nourish yin and support the body’s natural cooling to promote healthy liver function, and also benefit essence and nourish blood to strengthen the body’s foundation. It is especially suitable for those who occasionally experience feelings of heat, night sweats, and occasional blurred vision due to temporary yin deficiency. When combined with Prunella vulgaris, one supports clearing and the other provides nourishment, so that supporting the body’s natural cooling does not disturb moisture, and nourishing does not aggravate heat.

Lean pork — supports the middle burner and boosts energy, nourishes the organs

Pork lean meat is sweet and salty in flavor, neutral in nature, and enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney meridians. As a “guiding” ingredient in medicinal cuisine, lean meat can moderate the cool-nature of Prunella vulgaris, helping to maintain digestive comfort, while providing high-quality protein to support physical vitality. Fresh ginger warms the middle and disperses occasional coolness, removes fishy odors and harmonizes the stomach, ensuring the entire soup is cooling but not stagnating.

Suitable Population

1. **Those experiencing occasional feelings of tension and heat**: Individuals who often notice temporary eye discomfort, mild headaches, occasional irritability, or sleep difficulties may find this soup supportive for maintaining a sense of calm and comfort. 2. **Those seeking lymphatic and thyroid comfort**: For individuals who desire to support normal lymph node health or thyroid function, Prunella vulgaris helps promote a sense of ease in these areas. 3. **Frequent screen users**: Those who spend long hours facing computers or mobile phones, or experience occasional eye dryness. The nourishing and eye-supporting qualities of abalone combined with the cooling actions of Prunella vulgaris provide dual support for visual comfort. 4. **Individuals with occasional feelings of internal heat**: People who are lean, with occasional feelings of heat in the palms and soles, dry mouth, or night sweats. Abalone provides nourishing support, and lean meat helps maintain moisture, promoting overall comfort.

Furthermore, for individuals who wish to support healthy blood pressure levels already within the normal range (associated with occasional tension and facial flushing), this soup can be used as an adjunctive dietary addition. For people of general constitution, during seasonal transitions or when under temporary work stress, consuming it 1–2 times per week may also support the body’s natural defenses and promote overall wellness.

Considerations for Certain Individuals

1. For individuals with a tendency toward digestive sensitivity and coolness: Prunella vulgaris is cool in nature. If a person typically experiences occasional abdominal discomfort or loose stools, consuming it may worsen these feelings. Such individuals may combine Prunella vulgaris with warming ingredients such as ginger, jujube, or atractylodes to support digestive comfort. 2. For pregnant and breastfeeding women: Prunella vulgaris has properties that may influence the body’s natural balance, while abalone is a seafood that may be associated with occasional sensitivities. Moderation is advised during pregnancy, and use under the guidance of a qualified practitioner is recommended. During lactation, attention should also be paid to whether the infant shows any signs of sensitivity.

3. For those with seafood sensitivities: Abalone is a marine product. People who are sensitive to fish, shrimp, crab, etc., should avoid consuming it, or substitute with scallops and similar alternatives. 4. During the early stage of occasional cold or chill: When the body is actively addressing external factors, it is advisable to avoid overly concentrated or cooling foods, as this may interfere with the body’s natural processes. Additionally, individuals who already maintain healthy blood pressure levels within the normal range should consume Prunella vulgaris in moderate amounts.

Herbal Formula Ingredient Proportions

Main ingredients: 15g of dried Prunella vulgaris, 3–4 medium-sized fresh abalones (approximately 200–250g), 150g of lean pork. Supplementary ingredients: 3 slices of fresh ginger (about 10g), appropriate amount of salt (about 2–3g, for final seasoning). The above proportions are for one serving for 2–3 people.

Key details: For Prunella vulgaris, choose those that are dry, free from mold or mildew, and with intact flower spikes. For abalone, select live ones with intact shells and a glossy underside; if using frozen abalone, thaw it in advance and rinse thoroughly. For the pork lean meat, tenderloin or pork collar is recommended, as these cuts are low in fat, yielding a clear soup that is not greasy.

Preparation method

Step 1: Preparing the abalone. Use a brush to scrub the abalone shells clean. Use a small knife to pry open the shell along the edge, remove the abalone meat, and discard the internal organs and blackish mouth area. Gently score the meat surface with a crisscross pattern (to allow flavor absorption), then rinse thoroughly. Also wash the abalone shells clean; they can be boiled together in soup (the shells contain calcium and offer a supplementary cooling effect).

Step 2: Cut the lean pork into chunks. Place in a pot with cold water, add cooking wine (optional), and blanch. After the water reaches a boil, cook for 2–3 minutes, skim off any foam, then remove and rinse with warm water. Quickly rinse Prunella vulgaris under clean water to remove dust, then place in a gauze bag (or add directly and discard before consumption). Slice the fresh ginger.

Step 3: Place all ingredients (abalone, lean meat, Prunella vulgaris, abalone shell, and ginger slices) into a stewing pot or clay pot. Add sufficient water (approximately 1500–2000 ml). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1.5–2 hours. Stew until the abalone meat is tender and the soup turns slightly yellow.

Step Four: Add salt to taste 10 minutes before turning off the heat. Stir well, then remove the Prunella vulgaris herb residue and ginger slices. The abalone shell can be kept or discarded as desired. Ladle into bowls and serve hot. The finished soup is savory and rich in flavor; the abalone meat tastes even better when dipped in a little soy sauce or ginger-vinegar sauce.

Consumption Tips

1. It is advisable to take it 1–2 times per week, with continuous consumption not exceeding 3 weeks. Prunella vulgaris is cool in nature; long-term or excessive use may affect digestive comfort. It is recommended to allow an interval of 2–3 days before the next serving. If occasional loose stools or loss of appetite occur, discontinue and consult a qualified practitioner.

2. This soup should be taken warm and not refrigerated before consumption. After cooling, a small amount of grease may congeal on the surface; skim it off before reheating. Avoid consuming it on the same day as pungent and stimulating foods (such as excessive chili peppers or garlic), so as not to overshadow its cooling qualities.

3. For children, the elderly, and those with weaker constitution, reduce the dosage by half (reduce Prunella vulgaris to 8–10 grams). If used as a general support for thyroid or lymph node comfort, it is recommended to have a follow-up check after two weeks of continuous consumption, and to continue under a doctor’s care. This should not be used as a substitute for any medical treatment.

4. In summer, add 100g of winter melon (Benincasa hispida) when simmering to enhance the cooling and moisture-supporting effects; in winter, add 10g of goji berry (Lycium barbarum) and 3 red dates (Ziziphus jujuba) to nourish the liver and kidney, and balance the cool nature.