Recipes

Calm Spirit Soup Recipe

February 25, 2023

Yvonne Lau, Mayway President

Calm Spirit Soup

The TCM concept of “form complementing form, organ complementing organ” (yi xing bu xing, yi zang bu zang 以形補形、以臟補臟 ) is well known throughout Asian culture and cooking. For example, eating walnuts for brain tonification and cashews for the health of the kidneys, or drinking red wine to tonify the blood is common folk wisdom. In this recipe, we are honoring this concept by using pig's heart (Zhu xin 豬心) to nourish the heart.

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Chuan Bei Mu, Pears & Honey

November 9, 2022

Yvonne Lau, Mayway President

This traditional steamed pear recipe is often prepared in the autumn, the season of dryness, to prevent or treat an occasional dry cough or dry throat. Chuan Bei Mu/Fritillaria cirrhosa bulb is a very effective and versatile herb that both dissolves phlegm and clears heat, while also nourishing and moistening Lung Yin.

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Lung and Throat Protecting Soup

September 29, 2022

Janet L. Borges, MSTCM, Dipl. AC & CH (NCCAOM), L.Ac.

Lung Protecting Soup

Figs are one of the oldest cultivated crops throughout the world, and often said to be a symbol of peace, abundance and prosperity. Dried figs hold a special place in this delicious fall recipe, with heat clearing and moistening properties. Entering the Lung, Large Intestine and Stomach meridians, figs can promote the secretion of saliva to soothe a sore throat and dry cough, as well as being supportive to the functions of digestion and elimination.

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Autumn Equinox Soup

August 22, 2022

Yvonne Lau, Mayway President

Harvest Fig Soup

As we begin to prepare for Autumn and Winter, it is important to nourish the Metal element by adding more Yin foods to protect us from the dryness of the season. Plus, we LOVE figs! Figs are one of the oldest cultivated crops throughout the world, and are often said to be a symbol of peace and abundance. Entering the Lung, Large Intestine and Stomach meridians, figs can promote the secretion of saliva to soothe a sore throat and dry cough, as well as being supportive to the functions of digestion and elimination. Pork, which is neutral, sweet and salty, also moistens dryness and benefits the Spleen, Stomach and Kidneys.

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Tian Men Dong Lemongrass and Tofu Soup

July 29, 2022

Photo of tian ma dong lemongrass soup

Here is a cooling and Yin nourishing soup to soothe the overheating effects of these long summer days with elevated temperatures in many parts of the country. Featured prominently in the recipe are fresh lemongrass (Xiang mao 香茅) and asparagus root (Tian men dong 天門冬) which perfectly complement each other. Lemongrass is said to have antifungal, diuretic and antimicrobial properties, and contains micronutrients such as copper, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Some sources say it calms the Shen.

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Let’s Make Chinese Herbal Tonic Wines

July 24, 2022

Katie Stoyka

Tonic Wines in Jars The first known mention of herbal tonic wine is from the Wu Shi Er Bing Fang (Prescriptions for 52 Ailments), which was unearthed at Ma Wang Dui tomb, an archaeological site located in Changsha, China. It is believed to have been written around 200 BC, although the prescriptions are thought to be much older.

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Purple Cloud Salve

July 22, 2022

Skye Sturgeon, DAOM, Quality Assurance Manager, Mayway

Purple Cloud Salve

Have you ever wanted to make your own therapeutic ointments from Chinese herbs? Skye Sturgeon leads you through easy and straightforward, step by step instructions that teach you how to make Zi Yun Gao, a famous, over 350-year-old Chinese herb formula that’s applicable for a variety of skin conditions.

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Chinese Medicinal Herb Beer

July 21, 2022

Katie Stoyka

Recently, one of our staff who is a homebrewer, and another who is our chief herbalist collaborated on a brewing experiment using Chinese herbs. After much discussion and some decoction sampling, we decided on a 3-ingredient simple Qi & Yin tonic formula. Sheng Mai San seemed appropriate both for its tonifying action and because we hoped would give the beer a lovely rose color from the Wu Wei Zi.

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Cooling Summer Herbal Teas

June 22, 2022

Janet L. Borges, MSTCM, Dipl. AC & CH (NCCAOM), L.Ac.

Five Flowers Tea

Five Flowers Tea, or Wu hua cha 五花茶 is a traditional Chinese folk tea, enjoyed especially during the summer months by Cantonese people in the hot and humid south. Sweet and slightly cold, its’ main TCM functions are to clear heat and toxins, drain dampness, promote urination, cool blood, and alleviate summertime wind-heat.

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Du Zhong, Tian qi & Oxtail Stew

May 9, 2022

Yvonne Lau, President of Mayway

photo of oxtail stew

Bone loss, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is mainly caused by insufficient Kidney Qi, with symptoms such as weak back, difficulty in standing for a long time, weakness of lower extremities, dark complexion, and dry teeth. Chinese medicine believes that bone health relies on the fullness of Kidney Qi, which nourishes the bone marrow. As such, tonifying Kidney Qi and Kidney Essence is vital to minimizing the progression of osteoporosis. This soup nourishes Yin and replenishes Yang, strengthens muscles and bones, and strengthens the waist and knees.

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Itchy Skin Recipes

April 26, 2022

Yvonne Lau, Mayway President

Papaya peanut chicken soup

Blooming flowers, green leafy trees, warmer weather, feelings of renewal and growth, and possibly...... dry, itchy, lackluster skin. The effects of cold and windy winter months followed by drier springtime weather can make our skin more vulnerable to peeling, itching and dryness. These 2 recipes will help battle dryness with delicious herb-infused food!

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Chinese Herbs and Chicken Soup

March 18, 2022

Skye Sturgeon, DAOM, Quality Assurance Manager, Mayway

Chicken Soup

The days are getting shorter, colder and wet. Today is a perfect day for having a warm bowl of chicken soup. Mothers and grandmothers all over the world recommend, “Give ‘em some chicken soup!” Chicken soup with Chinese herbs is particularly warming and nourishing. Here’s a traditional recipe and demo of how to create this wonderful dish for your entire family.

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Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup

February 8, 2022

Laura Stropes, L.Ac.

Chinese herbal chicken soup is one of the best ways to strengthen the Qi and Blood to prepare for Autumn and Winter. Although the Chinese and Western views about when to eat chicken soup differ, both agree that chicken soup is a strong tonic to the system. Used in appropriate quantities, the herbs add complexity without making the soup taste medicinal. 

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Goji Berry & Apple Pie

November 21, 2021

Dana Yates

The beloved apple has many benefits from a TCM perspective, aside from it being a nourishing and crunchy treat. Apples are cool, sweet Yin tonics that enter the Heart, Lung and Stomach meridians, and some sources say they enter the Liver meridian as well. Apples clear Heat and encourage the movement of Qi. When combined with the perfect spicy and warming trio of Rou Gui, Rou Dou Ko and Ding Xiang, which supports the digestive function, your middle Jiao will be exceedingly happy!

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Reishi Hot Cocoa

November 20, 2021

Laura Stropes, L.Ac.

It’s the time of year to get cozy with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, and what better way to add a little warmth than with herbs? Drinking chocolate is a New World tradition that goes back to the time of the Olmecs. Cups of chocolate show up in Mayan glyphs and Aztec leader Montezuma is rumored to have drank 50 cups of chocolate a day.

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