5 Types of Chinese Herbal Soups - And What They’re Actually For
A deeper modern guide to understanding TCM soups.
The start of a new year often comes with big intentions.
We promise ourselves more energy.
- Better health.
- Clearer skin.
- Less burnout.
- A stronger body that can actually keep up with life.
But somewhere between resolutions and reality, many of us realise something familiar: we don’t need more wellness - we need simpler, more sustainable rituals that we can return to again and again.
This is where Chinese herbal soup quietly makes sense.
For centuries, these soups weren’t about trends or transformations.
They were about support - supporting the body through seasons, stress, fatigue, recovery, and everyday living.
Yet despite how common herbal soups are in Asian households, most of us grew up drinking them without truly understanding:
which soup was meant for what
why certain herbs were chosen
or how to choose the right soup for our own needs
So as we step into a new year, this feels like the right place to begin.
Not with rules or resolutions but with understanding.
Below, we break down the five main types of Chinese herbal soups, what each category traditionally supports, and how they fit into modern life today - explained clearly, practically, and without the TCM textbook.
Think of this as a gentle reset.
A way to listen to what your body needs…one bowl at a time.
⭐ 1. Energy-Boosting Soups (补气汤) - For Qi & Stamina
In TCM, Qi is your body’s energy currency: the driving force behind movement, focus, and daily function.
When Qi is low, you often feel:
tired easily
mentally foggy
low motivation
breathless on exertion
cold hands and feet
Energy soups help replenish this internal battery.
Common herbs & their roles
Dang Shen: boosts energy, supports overall vitality
Astragalus (Huang Qi): strengthens immunity + endurance
Red Dates: nourishes blood & supports circulation
Goji Berries: supports stamina & eye fatigue
Modern interpretation
Think of this category as the TCM version of:
an energy drink (but gentle)
a post-workout replenisher
a “workday stamina” ritual
These soups work slowly and steadily, more like building resilience than giving you a jolt.
⭐ 2. Skin-Nourishing Soups (养颜汤) - For Glow & Hydration
These soups support Yin, which in TCM relates to moisture, calmness, and nourishment.
When Yin is low, you may experience:
dry skin
dull complexion
heatiness
poor sleep
irritability
Key herbs & their roles
Snow Fungus: plant-based collagen-like hydration
Yu Zhu: nourishes the lungs & lubricates dryness
Lily Bulb: calms the mind + moisturises the body
Lotus Seeds: supports skin + improves sleep quality
Modern interpretation
These are your “glow-from-within” soups - the TCM equivalent of hydration care, ceramides, and calming skincare routines.
They support clear, dewy skin by strengthening internal moisture.
⭐ 3. Immunity & Strengthening Soups (补身强体汤)
This category focuses on Wei Qi, your body’s protective barrier (similar to immunity).
Signs you might need support:
frequent colds
slow recovery
chronic fatigue
stress-related burnout
Key herbs
Astragalus: known for strengthening immunity
Codonopsis: supports overall qi + blood nourishment
Cordyceps Flower: helps respiratory strength & stamina
Red Dates: supports blood & general wellness
Modern interpretation
These soups act like immune-support tonics - gentle, long-term nourishment rather than fast fixes.
Ideal during:
stressful work cycles
seasonal changes
low-energy weeks
recovery periods
⭐ 4. Digestive & Gut-Supporting Soups (健脾益胃汤)
In TCM, the spleen-stomach system is responsible for digestion, absorption, and energy production.
When this system is weakened, signs include:
bloating
irregular bowel movements
poor appetite
fatigue after eating
“food baby” feeling
Key herbs
Chinese Yam (Huai Shan): strengthens digestion
Barley: reduces water retention & bloating
Lotus Seeds: soothes the gut & calms the mind
Dried Tangerine Peel: helps with stomach discomfort
Modern interpretation
These soups function like gentle digestive resets - supporting people who have irregular eating schedules, frequent takeout meals, or stress-related gut issues.
⭐ 5. Cooling & Heat-Clearing Soups (清热润燥汤)
Heatiness in TCM refers to internal inflammation or imbalance.
Common triggers:
late nights
stress
hot weather (hello, Singapore)
fried/spicy foods
too much coffee
Symptoms include:
sore throat
irritability
acne breakouts
“hot body, cold hands”
constipation
Key herbs
Luo Han Guo: clears heat, soothes throat
Barley: reduces water retention & heat
Chrysanthemum: calming & cooling
Lotus Seeds: hydrates and balances heat
Modern interpretation
These are the ultimate “cool down” soups - like iced barley water but deeper and more nourishing.
Why this matters today
Understanding these categories helps you:
pick the right soup for your body’s signals
understand what your parents/grandparents were trying to support
deepen your wellness habits with clarity
make informed, confident choices
This is the foundation of TCM soup culture - simplified, modernised, and made relevant again.
A Note from Tang Tang Club
Our mission is to keep these traditions alive in a way that feels approachable, contemporary, and joyful.
This guide is part of Soup Thoughts, our editorial space where we translate TCM wisdom into modern language.
Future deep dives will include:
individual herbs explained
period nourishment soups
postpartum soups
soups for stress & sleep
modern soup rituals
seasonal soup guides