(from the book “Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen” by Yuan Wang, Warren Sheir, and Mika Ono)
This nutty herbal broth features sour date seeds – small, reddish-brown seeds frequently used in Chinese medicine for their calming properties, and celery, which in China is considered a therapeutic herb as well as a food.
Ingredients:
1 rounded tablespoon sour date seed (suan zao ren)
3 stalks celery, cut into 3 to 4 inch lengths
3 cups of water
Directions:
- Toast the sour date seeds in a pan over medium-high heat until they crackle and pop and release a nutty fragrance, 3 to 5 minutes. Let the seeds cool, then crush them lightly with a rolling pin to further crack them open.
- Boil the water in a small pot, then add the sour date seeds and celery. Lower the heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Strain out the celery and seeds.
- Serve the broth warm.
Especially Good For:
Anyone who has insomnia or irritability, particularly those who are experiencing restless sleep with excessive, vivid dreams, and women who suffer insomnia due to anemia. Drink a cup one to two times a day, especially before bedtime, to stay calm and get a good night’s sleep.
For those familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine:
This broth nourishes the Heart Yin, augments the Liver Blood, and calms the spirit.
Notes: Sour date seeds are called “suan zao ren” in Chinese and can be found in many Asian grocery stores or Chinese medicine herb shops.