Nourilo

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Processed Mulberry Mistletoe, Black Bean and Longan Soup

Traditionally used to nourish blood, brighten a pale complexion, and support liver-kidney health

In short: Processed Mulberry Mistletoe, Black Bean and Longan Soup is a soup that Traditionally used to nourish blood, brighten a pale complexion, and support liver-kidney health. It is most often made for women's wellness, children's wellness, skin & natural beauty. Total time about 1 hr 15 min. Key ingredients: green-kernel black soybeans, red dates.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
15 min
Cook
1 hr
Total
1 hr 15 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
Women's WellnessChildren's WellnessSkin & Natural BeautyLiver WellnessKidney & Urinary WellnessBlood NourishmentEveryday Balance
Processed Mulberry Mistletoe, Black Bean and Longan Soup

Why people make this soup

A complexion that is pale, slightly bluish-grey, and lacking any warmth — what Cantonese food therapy describes as “qing bai” — is often the result of qi and blood not reaching the face properly. It can stem from crash dieting, long-term emotional suppression that impairs the flow of liver qi, or simply insufficient blood nourishment. This tong shui (sweet herbal soup) uses processed mulberry mistletoe (zhi sang ji sheng), a processed form of the herb that gives it a sweeter, smoother flavour with less of the astringency found in unprocessed varieties.

Nourilo pairs it with green-kernel black soybeans — darker and richer in anthocyanins than ordinary soybeans — and red dates, creating a sweet, deeply nourishing bowl that can be taken as a daily tonic or postpartum recovery drink. Regular consumption is traditionally associated with bringing colour back to a pale face and improving overall vitality.

Method

  1. Soak and rinse the mulberry mistletoe and black soybeans separately; drain.
  2. Pit the red dates.
  3. Place mistletoe, soybeans, and red dates in a pot with 2.1 L of water.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 1 hour until the liquid reduces to 0.9–1.2 L.
  5. Add brown slab sugar to taste and stir until dissolved.
  6. Serve warm; drink the broth and eat the beans and dates.

Nourilo’s Tips

  • For everyday use as a general tonic, lean pork can be added to make this a savoury version.
  • When choosing mulberry mistletoe, look for the “processed” (zhi) variety — available in boxed form at Chinese herbal medicine shops. It has better flavour and more pronounced effects.
  • If you find a box without the character “zhi” (制) on the label, it is likely unprocessed — still usable, but the soup may taste slightly astringent.
  • Regular consumption gradually brightens complexion — patient, consistent use is key.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Mulberries · Randomized controlled trial, 24 participants · 2017
    Post-prandial self-monitored glucose was lower than placebo (18.2%), but A1C did not differ between mulberry leaf extract and placebo. Serum creatinine rose about 15% in the extract group.Limitation: Small pilot: only 17 of 24 enrolled participants completed the study, limiting statistical power.PubMed 28619294 · 3 more mulberries studies
  • Black soybeans · Randomized controlled trial, 100 participants · 2013
    Systolic blood pressure fell more in the black soy peptide group (-9.69 mm Hg) than in the placebo group (-2.91 mm Hg) after baseline adjustment. Plasma malondialdehyde decreased and superoxide dismutase activity increased compared with placebo.Limitation: Used an isolated peptide supplement rather than whole black soybeans, and followed participants for only 8 weeks, so the results may not apply to food intake.PubMed 23924691
  • Red dates · Meta-analysis, 483 participants · 2025
    Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

Spot an error? Report a correction

Frequently asked questions

What is this soup traditionally used for?

This tong shui is traditionally taken to nourish blood, brighten a pale or sallow complexion, and support liver-kidney health. In Cantonese food therapy, a pale, bluish-grey complexion — described as "qing bai" — is associated with qi and blood not reaching the face properly, whether from crash dieting, long-term emotional stress, or post-illness depletion.

What role do green-kernel black soybeans play in this recipe?

Green-kernel black soybeans are darker and richer in anthocyanins than ordinary soybeans. In this recipe they are combined with processed mulberry mistletoe and red dates as part of a deeply nourishing bowl that is traditionally associated with bringing colour back to a pale face and improving overall vitality.

How long does this soup take to prepare, and how much does it yield?

Preparation takes about 15 minutes and cooking takes 1 hour, for a total time of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Starting with 2.1 L of water, the soup reduces to a yield of 0.9 to 1.2 litres.

Can this soup be taken as a daily tonic or is it only for occasional use?

The file describes it as a soup that can be taken as a daily tonic or postpartum recovery drink. Regular, consistent consumption is traditionally associated with gradually brightening complexion, and the recipe's own tips note that patient, regular use is key.

Does it matter whether the mulberry mistletoe is processed or unprocessed?

The recipe specifically calls for the processed ("zhi") variety of mulberry mistletoe, which has a sweeter, smoother flavour with less astringency than unprocessed forms. If the box does not carry the character "zhi" (制) on the label, the mistletoe is likely unprocessed — still usable, but the soup may taste slightly astringent.

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