Four Herbs (四神) is a classic herbal combination that is often used as a nourishing soup.

The four herbs are typically:

1. Chinese yam (Shan Yao) – Traditionally used to support digestion and nourish the body.
2. Lotus seed (Lian Zi) – Traditionally believed to support digestion and promote restful sleep.
3. Gordon euryale seed (Qian Shi) – Traditionally used to support digestive and urinary health.
4. Poria (Fu Ling) – Traditionally used to support fluid balance and digestive function.

It is traditionally believed to:

1. Support healthy digestion.
2. Help improve appetite.
3. Reduce loose stools in some children.
4. Support overall growth and nourishment when used as part of a balanced diet.

A simple way to prepare 四神汤 (Si Shen Tang/Four Herbs Soup) for the family is to just boil it with pork ribs/lean pork and season lightly with salt.

Harvey doesn’t like the taste of Four Herbs (四神), thus, usually I will cook it with winter melon and corn so as to give a sweeter taste. Winter melon is often paired with 四神汤 (Si Shen Tang) because the flavors and textures complement each other, and in traditional Chinese cooking it is considered a balanced combination.

From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective:

Four Herbs Soup is traditionally used to support digestion.
Winter melon is traditionally considered to have a cooling nature and is believed to help with fluid balance and reduce “internal heat.”
Some practitioners combine them to create a soup that is nourishing while remaining light, especially during hot and humid seasons.

Cooking recipe

• Four herbs (as described previously)
• 500 g pork ribs or lean pork
• 300–500 g winter melon, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1–2 ears of corn, cut into 3–4 cm pieces
• 2 liters water

Cooking method

1. Soak the four herbs for 20–30 minutes.
2. Blanch the pork ribs and rinse.
3. Simmer the pork and four herbs in 2 liters of water for about 1 hour.
4. Add the corn and continue simmering for 20–30 minutes.
5. Add the winter melon during the last 15–20 minutes so it becomes tender but doesn’t fall apart.
6. Season lightly with salt before serving.

This version is mild, naturally sweet, and suitable for most children over 1 year old as part of a balanced diet, provided they don’t have allergies to any of the ingredients. It also makes a refreshing soup for warm weather because the winter melon keeps the broth light.