Three-Ingredient Egg and Tofu Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,This soup tonifies qi and nourishes blood, while also tonifying the kidneys and nourishing yin. It is suitable for osteoporosis caused by deficiency of both qi and blood, and is particularly beneficial for those experiencing dizziness, lower back pain, and premature graying of hair and beard.
given the warm nature, caution is advised if the tongue is red with scant coating or there is tidal fever and night sweats; those who are robust with internal accumulated heat are not suited to this formula; the tonifying-warming action may aggravate internal heat; avoid during feverish or inflammatory episodes; the formula is somewhat cloying; avoid overuse in those with spleen deficiency and dampness, poor appetite, or abdominal distension
Commentary
Egg occupies the sovereign position; neutral in nature and sweet in flavor, with Lung, Spleen, Stomach tropism, it nourishes yin, moistens dryness, calms the fetus, and tonifies deficiency and becomes the guiding principle of the whole formula. The ministerial support — sea cucumber (warm in nature and salty in flavor, with Kidney, Heart tropism, tonifies the kidney, enriches essence and moistens dryness), and tofu (with cool nature and sweet flavor, having Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine tropism, tonifies qi, harmonizes the stomach, generates fluid, and clears heat) — reinforces the sovereign’s main effect and coordinates the drug strength. The formula is rounded out by shrimp, rich in blood-and-flesh essence, nourishing the righteous qi, and winter bamboo shoots, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and ginger, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, keeping the combination balanced and well-tempered. Together the herbs converge on this action, in accord with the qi-blood pattern.