Four Things Soup (Si Wu Tang)
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1. About this recipe
Four Things Soup — Si Wu Tang in Mandarin — is the foundational blood-nourishing formula of Chinese herbal medicine, dating to the Song dynasty (960–1279 AD). Made from four herbs that work synergistically — Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Shu Di Huang and Chuan Xiong — it tonifies and moves blood, regulates menstruation and treats blood deficiency. The soup version is widely used in Chinese homes after menstruation as a monthly tonic for women.
2. Ingredients
- 10g Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)
- 10g Bai Shao (white peony root)
- 10g Shu Di Huang (prepared rehmannia)
- 5g Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong)
- 200–300g chicken pieces (or pork ribs) — or vegetarian: 2 handfuls of mushrooms
- 6 jujube (red dates)
- 1 tbsp goji berries
- 2 slices fresh ginger
- 2 spring onions
- 1.5 litres water
- Salt to taste
3. Method
- Rinse the herbs briefly under cold water.
- Blanch the chicken or pork briefly in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain (removes blood scum).
- Place all ingredients except goji in a large pot. Add 1.5L water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 1.5–2 hours.
- Add goji berries in the last 10 minutes.
- Salt to taste and serve hot. Discard the herbs (or chew Dang Gui slices if you enjoy them).
4. Variations
- Add 10g Huang Qi (astragalus) for additional qi support.
- Add 10g Bai Zhu (atractylodes) for Spleen support.
- Vegetarian version: omit meat, increase mushrooms and add 30g black soya beans.
5. When to eat it
Drink 3–5 days after the period ends, once a month, to tonify blood and regulate the next cycle. Particularly indicated for women with pale complexion, light or scanty periods, dizziness, palpitations and fatigue. Do not take during the period itself (Dang Gui can increase flow). Avoid in pregnancy and during heavy menstrual bleeding without practitioner guidance.
