I have been preparing an easy Chinese soup lately, featuring bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, goji berries, and of course, cannabis. My favorite has been Potli’s CBD Chili Oil, because it allows me to ingest cannabis in whatever custom way I wish to.

I’m tired of cannabis gummies and all that sugar. It feels like an oxymoron when promoting cannabis in the name of health.

This recipe was inspired by my healing journey. With cannabis inspiring body awareness, I have connected back to my ancestral roots. I feel the powerful life force flowing through my body. My ancestors have generated it through centuries. It has helped them survive and thrive.

Cannabis is my assistant in this journey. Unburying trauma, activating body-mind connections to convert pain into powerful life force. This is the power I’ve unlocked through my healing journey that I wish to share with others.

My ancestors have survived for ages with grit and determination, such strong will to survive. This is embedded in me as well. And so, I’m re-learning about the ways my ancestors survived so well, especially through food as medicine.

Here is a recipe for a healing Chinese broth that is perfect for the cold weather, featuring a powerful healing herb called Huang Qi, or Astralagus (look for it in the “Herbs” section at an Asian grocery store)

Oh, and we can’t forget the special ingredient my ancestors didn’t use: Cannabis.

Let’s bring this recipe into modernity, shall we?

Chinese Hot Pot with Bok Choy and Shiitake Mushrooms

Ingredients

~32 oz broth (veggie, chicken, beef… take your pick!)

~3 tbsp miso

~5 astralagus (Huang Qi) sticks

~handful of Goji berries

~1 cup fresh or rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, cut into strips

~1/2 package firm tofu, cut into cubes

~1 cup baby bok choy, cut into fourths

~3 green onions, chopped up

~2 tbsp sesame oil

~.5 fl oz Potli CBD Chili Oil

+ Rice on the side, however you like to prepare it

Steps

1) Pour broth into a pot. Set on high heat until it comes to a boil, and then lower to medium. Add in miso, and stir till it dissolves.

2) Add in astralagus sticks, Goji berries, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu. Allow the soup to simmer (but not boil) for 20 minutes, or as long as you feel. Allow the flavors and healing properties to emerge from each ingredient and mingle in the pot.

3) Finally, when you are 10 minutes away from serving, add in bok choy, green onions, and sesame oil. Continue to simmer, smelling it to see if you would like to add any other ingredients (miso will add more umami, salty savoriness)

4) When ready to serve, prepare a bowl of rice and pour desired serving of broth and vegetables in.

5) Top with desired dose of Potli’s CBD Chili Oil, which is 10mg for .5 fl oz.

Ta-da! A recipe straight from my Chinese ancestors, featuring superfoods of the past, brought into modernity with the healing powers of cannabis.

This recipe has gotten me through the cold winter months, AND helped me reflect on the powerful ways my ancestors healed.

That brain food is more nourishing than any actual food. The intention holds the power to transform and heal.

Cannabis is my profound healing ally. I feel blessed that I was able to tap in and start to unlock my path to awareness through it. My healing path has lead me to work through the trauma I felt from growing up Chinese in America.

Where I’ve landed now is deep empathy and forgiveness. It is truly the greatest gift for myself, my parents, and my ancestors.

Cannabis helped me awaken to heal and embrace my culture, transforming pain into strength and positivity. I am forever grateful for it.

How has cannabis impacted your healing journey? Take the time to reflect and appreciate, perhaps over a nice warm bowl of nourishing, CBD-infused Chinese soup.

Stephanie Zhu is a freelance writer covering the sectors of health & wellness, cannabis, and sustainability. She is also a healer, a massage therapist, and Reiki practitioner. Learn more about her at themysticdreamer.com, and on Instagram as @themysticdreamer.

This blogger participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means she may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.