Immune Boosting Fungi Chicken Soup

More mushroom soups: #healingsoup, #medicinalfungi, #immuneboosting, #cordyceps, #tonic
This one features three different fungi.

1. Agaricus blazei Murill mushroom (姫茸菇)

Agaricus Blazei Murill mushrooms originated in the Piedate mountain region outside of Sao Paolo, Brazil. The main health benefit of medicinal mushrooms is attributed to a group of their active constituents called polysaccharides. These complex carbohydrates stimulate immune system responses. Some researchers believe this might be because these specific polysaccharides resemble components of the cell walls of organisms that challenge health.

2) Cordyceps fruiting body (蟲草花).
For those people who suffer seasonal allergies with cough symptoms, add Cordyceps fruiting body to soup as a tonic. It helps to moisten the throat, and is beneficial for emphysema and bronchitis. Other benefits: improve cardiovascular disease, anti-aging, and helps reduce fatigue.

3)Wood ear or black fungus (木耳)
It is an edible fungus that commonly used in Chinese cuisine. The fresh wood ear is in dark brown or black, soft and crunchy in texture, with a very subtle grassy flavor. It uses in cooking mainly to add texture. Wood ear should never be eaten raw, since it might contains bacteria.

For four servings:
Agaricus blazei Murill mushroom (姫茸菇) 15
Cordyceps fruiting body (蟲草花) 1g
foxnut (茨實) 1 g
Wood ear (木耳) 3 large pieces
Dried Longan fruit (圓肉) 15
Candied Chinese date (蜜棗) 2
ginger (薑) 2 large pieces
Chicken (雞) 1/2 -- can be blanched first
water (水) 2000 ml
Directions:

1. Agaricus blazei Murill mushroom (姫茸菇) soak in water for 30 minutes, rinsed and get rid of excess water
2. Wood ear (木耳) soak in water for 20 minutes, rinsed, get rid of the hard stem underneath the fungi
3. Cordyceps fruiting body (蟲草花) soak in water for 10 minutes
4. Dried Longan fruit (圓肉) and Candied Chinese date (蜜棗) rinse a few times
5. Chicken cut into several big pieces
6. add water and all ingredients into a pot, bring to a boil then simmer for 2 hours.
7. add salt to season and serve