PMS Relief Soup: Ease Cramps with Sea Coconut TCM
This Sea Coconut Chinese Yam Soup For Period (海底椰淮山螺片湯) is a powerful PMS relief soup designed specifically to support women through their menstrual cycle by combining Traditional Chinese Medicine principles with Cantonese food therapy. The formula addresses hormonal fluctuations, menstrual cramps, and PMS symptoms by balancing three key actions: sea coconut moistens and cools, Chinese yam strengthens the spleen, and conch nourishes liver and kidney yin.
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 3 hr
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 50g dried sea coconut 海底椰
- 50g dried Chinese yam/Huaishan 淮山
- 50g dried conch meat 螺肉
- 2-3 honey dates 蜜棗
- 2L filtered cold water
- 1 lb pork spare ribs or soup bones
- 3-4 slices fresh ginger
- 1 small piece dried tangerine peel 陳皮
- 2 tbsp organic goji berries 枸杞
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Prepare ingredients: Rinse sea coconut and soak in water for 1-2 hours. Drain. Rinse dried conch meat and soak for 3-4 hours until softened. Drain and save soaking water. Rinse Chinese yam slices quickly. Rinse honey dates.
- 2
Blanch bones (if using): Bring a pot of water to boil. Add pork bones and boil for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water, scrubbing off gray foam. Set aside.
- 3
Combine everything: In large ceramic soup pot, add blanched bones (if using), soaked sea coconut, soaked conch (plus strained soaking water), Chinese yam slices, honey dates, ginger slices, and tangerine peel. Pour in 2 liters cold filtered water.
- 4
Initial boil: Bring to vigorous rolling boil over high heat. Skim off foam that rises to surface for about 5 minutes.
- 5
Long simmer: Reduce heat to lowest setting. Cover soup pot with lid slightly ajar. Simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours. The liquid should be reduced to about 6 cups. Soup is ready when the sea coconut is very soft, the conch meat is tender, and the broth is clear with a slight viscosity.
- 6
Add goji berries: In the last 20-30 minutes of cooking, add goji berries. Set the timer to prevent overcooking.
- 7
Season: Turn off the heat. Taste the broth. Add a tiny pinch of sea salt if needed (start with ⅛ teaspoon). The soup should taste naturally sweet and clean, not heavily salted.
- 8
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls while it's still warm. Serve 1.5-2 cups per serving, including broth and solids. Eat the sea coconut, conch, and yam pieces along with drinking the broth.