Silkie soup with dong quai and astragalus. The soup is popular among men and women alike, as it not only enhances blood circulation, but also invigorates the kidney. It is a good tonic for menstruating women. [Photo/Agencies]

When winter comes, and spring is still far away, soup might be all you need to warm you up.

But if you think soups are only to warm you up, think twice, as dietary therapy has been a long-time practice for the Chinese.

As written in Treatise on Exogenous Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases by famous ancient Chinese doctor Zhang Zhongjing, food sources can also be used for medicine, so eating the right thing might help you avoid or cure disease.

Here, we've chosen 10 popular Chinese soups for the winter. Let's drink up for a healthy season.