Euryale seed / foxnut

芡實

strengthens the spleensupports the kidneysdispels dampness健脾止瀉固腎澀精除濕止帶止夜尿

The starchy seed of the gorgon water lily, small ivory rounds with patches of reddish skin, sold dried. Soaked up to an hour and simmered long, the seeds keep a pleasant chew, thicken the broth a touch and carry a mild nutty flavour.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、kidney

Traditional food therapy

In the tradition it is the astringent strengthener, used to steady the spleen against loose digestion, firm the kidneys and check leakage, including night-time urination; a regular in four-tonics style pots.

Cautions — read first

Astringent and apt to stall the qi. Do not eat a lot at once, as it is hard to digest.
Not for anyone who has trouble passing urine or stools, who bloats easily, or who is constipated

Preparation

Soak for 30 to 60 minutes. It stands up to long boiling.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

廣東肇慶（肇實）／江蘇（蘇芡） — AU listing observed (Herbal Craft) but sold out at the 2026-08 survey

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers

Pairs well with

Dried Chinese yam Lotus seed Job's tears / coix seed Poria Lean pork

Soups that use this ingredient · 4

Chayote, corn and carrot soup with pork ribsNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

合掌瓜粟米紅蘿蔔排骨湯

relieves drynessstrengthens the spleenwhets the appetiteAll year

街市Chayote· 2街市Corn / maize (with corn silk)· 1 to 2街市Carrot· 1街市Pork spare ribs· 350 to 600 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· 2… +1

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Eight-treasure clear-moistening soupNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

清潤八寶素湯

strengthens the spleendispels dampnessrelieves drynessAll year

街市Carrot· 1街市Lotus root· 300 g百子櫃Euryale seed / foxnut· 20 g (half a tael)百子櫃Lotus seed· 20 g (half a tael)百子櫃Dried lily bulb· 20 g (half a tael)百子櫃Job's tears / coix seed· 20 g (half a tael)… +2

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Ching bo leung ("clear-nourishing-cooling") soup with pork shinA$8–14

清補涼豬展湯

strengthens the spleendispels dampnessreplenishes qiSummer

百子櫃Dried Chinese yam· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Lotus seed· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Dried lily bulb· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Job's tears / coix seed· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Euryale seed / foxnut· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Solomon's seal rhizome· 20 g (5 mace)… +4

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Double-boiled lean pork with codonopsis and astragalusNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

黨參北芪燉瘦肉

replenishes qistrengthens the spleenmoistens the lungs3h slow fireAll yearAutumnWinter

百子櫃Codonopsis root· 25 g百子櫃Astragalus root· 20 g百子櫃Dried Chinese yam· 6 to 8 slices百子櫃Euryale seed / foxnut· 2 tablespoons百子櫃Candied honey date· 2街市Lean pork· 200 g

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”