Vietnamese Traditional Dish: Pigeon Soup with 'Four Spirits' Herbs for Brain Fatigue Recovery

In Vietnam, a traditional medicinal soup is gaining attention for its effectiveness in recovering from mental fatigue and supporting brain function. Known as 'Tu Than Thang' (Four Spirits Soup), this dish combines pigeon meat with traditional Eastern medicinal ingredients such as Huai Shan (Chinese yam), lotus seeds, Poria cocos, and Euryale ferox. While the brain constitutes only 2% of body weight, it consumes 20% of the body's total energy. Prolonged intellectual work requires a stable source of nutrients to restore the nervous system without overloading the digestive system. This soup is highly regarded for its ability to calm the nerves, nourish the heart, stabilize the mind, and improve sleep quality. Pigeon meat is rich in protein, iron, and B vitamins, which help maintain nerve function and neurotransmitter synthesis. Huai Shan and lotus seeds provide complex carbohydrates, releasing glucose slowly to the brain and preventing blood sugar drops. Additionally, collagen from chicken feet hydrolyzes into gelatin, giving the soup a smooth texture. The recipe for two people includes 500g of cleaned pigeon, 200g of fresh chicken feet, 30g of dried Huai Shan, 30g of dried lotus seeds (with cores removed), 20g of dried Poria cocos, 20g of dried Euryale ferox, 10g of goji berries, 20g of sliced fresh ginger, 30g of scallions, 20ml of cooking wine, 2 liters of purified water, and 8g of salt. The preparation involves four steps: soaking the herbs in warm water for 15 minutes to soften them. Blanching the meats (pigeon and chicken feet) in cold water with ginger and scallions to remove impurities, then rinsing them. Simmering the blanched meats with the soaked herbs, remaining ginger, and boiling water in a clay pot for 90 minutes at a low heat (around 95°C). Finally, adding goji berries and salt for the last 5 minutes. Goji berries are added last due to their sensitivity to heat. Individuals suffering from insomnia can enhance the sedative effects by adding a small amount of lotus seed cores or increasing the quantity of red dates and Angelica sinensis. If pigeon is unavailable, 600g of black chicken can be used as a substitute with the same preparation and simmering time. In Vietnam's one-party system, traditional medicine and culinary practices play a significant role in public health. Such medicinal dishes are integrated into health promotion strategies. With economic growth, public health awareness is rising, fostering the popularity of meals that blend traditional wisdom with modern nutrition. Furthermore, historical and cultural ties with China have maintained a strong influence of Eastern medicinal dietary habits. Source: VnExpress