15 Recipes That Nourish, Soothe, and Restore

Herbal Chicken Bone Broth with Soba Noodles

Traditional Chinese Medicine food therapist, registered dietitian, and chef Zoey Xinyi Gong says this herbal chicken bone broth is traditionally given to postpartum women or post-trauma patients in recovery in China. Whole chickens are considered a fantastic medicinal ingredient to nourish the kidneys, blood, and yin, which refers to qualities that help our bodies with hydration, calming, and anti-aging. Pair it with tonifying herbs like jujube dates, goji berries, astragalus, and angelica root to make the ultimate herbal bone broth for longevity and overall wellness.

Snow Peas and Sausage

"According to Thai belief, both peas and pea shoots are revitalizing, as well as good for digestion," says Su-Mei You, the Thai restaurateur behind San Diego's Saffron Thai restaurants and author of The Elements of Life, A Contemporary Guide to Thai Recipes and Traditions For Healthier Living. "And escarole strengthens muscles and bones."

Hot Toddy

Made with hot water, sweeteners like honey or sugar, whiskey, cinnamon sticks, and lemon, the Hot Toddy is a staple winter cocktail widely known as a remedy for sore throats or generally feeling a cold coming on. Alcohol was once used medicinally to numb pain and legend has it that Scottish doctors used ingredients like lemon and honey to soften the burn or balance the flavor of Scotch. Of course, alcohol can dehydrate, and modern medicine tends to promote warm lemon water without the mixer, but some swear by this quick fix.

Caldo de Pollo

"Always, no matter the sickness," John Paul Brammer's abuela made him caldo de pollo: "Chicken legs with the bones sticking out, broth with an oily sheen of fat, vegetables sliced into chunks, and a library of herbs swimming on the surface," he says. "Corn tortillas adorned the sides of the bowl, perfect for picking at the chicken." He adds that the heat "chased the sick from his fingers."

Gin & Tonic

Real tonic water is made with quinine, a bitter harvest from the bark of the cinchona tree which throughout history has been used medicinally to prevent and treat malaria. Since quinine isn't used medicinally nowadays, tonic water has just trace amounts of the bitter elixir for flavoring, and modern-day tonic has a lot more sugar than its medicinal counterpart did, which brings balance. It's an ideal match for the herbaceous, juniper-forward flavor of botanical London Dry Gin. Use wintry herbs for a more seasonal sipper.

Restorative Ginger and Turmeric Noodle Soup

"During the winter months, this bowl of noodle soup is like a hug," says Hetty McKinnon, whose Chinese mother "served tong (soup) every night ... an ever-changing concoction formulated to treat whatever 'afflictions' she believed were ailing her family." In Chinese medicine, "ginger is a yang food and is thought to aid digestion and restore balance in the body."

Mint Julep

References to the Mint Julep go as far back as the year 900, when people sipped it for medicinal purposes. The word "julep" originates in the Middle East from the Spanish Arabic term "julepe," as well as the Persian word golab, which translates to rosewater. Both terms refer to sweetened syrups that helped mask the taste of astringent medicines. Even in the southern United States, sweetened syrups flavored with mint are referenced in prescription records from the late 1700s.

In the 1800s, the drink's fame moved from the pharmacy to the bar, and eventually, to the racetrack, where it's been served at the Kentucky Derby since the 1930s — with bourbon rather than medicine. You can count the essential oils in mint toward your health, and opt for peppermint tea to make it wintry.

Squash Noodle Soup with Healing Turmeric-Ginger Broth, Roasted Carrots and Beluga Lentils

At the base of the broth is the powerful, anti-inflammatory trio of turmeric, ginger, and garlic, finished with aromatic lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, and lemon. Add the naturally occurring "noodles" from roasted spaghetti squash, carrots, lentils, and spinach, and you're up for a comforting, feel-good treat.

TCM-Inspired Mulled Wine

In traditional Chinese medicine food therapy, saffron or safflower wine has a long history of treating blood stagnation, a common winter ailment, says chef Gong. Warming the body, promoting healthy blood circulation, and lifting the mood are all benefits of drinking this mulled wine in cold and dry weather.

Chicken Soup with Jasmine Rice and Ginger

There may not be any clinical proof that ginger helps fight colds or the flu, but Mai Pham's supereasy, gingery chicken soup will undeniably make you feel better.

Tomato Chicken Noodle Soup

Two classic comfort foods soothe with this tomato soup and chicken noodle soup mashup from Ian Knauer.

Black Sesame Paste

Popular in Chinese desserts, black sesame is also widely used in traditional Chinese medicine-informed food therapy to nourish the kidney and liver and benefit hair growth. In this recipe from traditional Chinese medicine food therapist and chef Zoey Xinyi Gong, the dominant flavor is nutty sesame, with a faint warm sweetness from the dates. Jujube dates, which are among Gong's favorite pantry ingredients, are believed to strengthen the spleen and replenish blood. Here, they add chewy texture, while the bee pollen, sesame seeds, and osmanthus flower sprinkled on top of the dessert give it a bit of crunch.

Soba Noodles with Grilled Shrimp and Cilantro

Garlicky, spicy, and bright with lime, this noodle dish is both warming and energizing, according to Thai tradition. Just don't skimp on the lime wedges or cilantro: "The sour juice protects the respiratory system in the early spring, and cilantro helps when you're congested," says Su-Mei You.

Cambodian Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Shrimp

Num Pang Sandwich Shop co-founder Ratha Chau prepares his own delectable chicken stock and roasts a chicken for this spicy, soothing and restorative chicken-and-rice soup.

Steamed Pears with Sticky Rice

Zoey Xinyi Gong shared this recipe, noting that steamed desserts are popular in Chinese cuisine and commonly used for traditional Chinese medicine food therapy because they are light and easy for the body to digest. The perfectly steamed pears are filled with purple sticky rice and mung beans.