Five-Finger Fig Root, Finger Citron, Tangerine Peel and Lean Pork Soup

Why people make this soup

Acid reflux — that burning sensation that rises into the chest and throat — is remarkably common in modern life. Irregular meal times, rushing through food, too much coffee, alcohol, or smoking, working under stress, and late-night snacking all contribute. In Cantonese food therapy, the approach is to calm and regulate the stomach’s qi, reduce inflammation and support the lining of the digestive tract through gentle, fragrant ingredients. Five-finger fig root (wu zhi mao tao) has a distinctive, light coconut-like fragrance that makes it very easy to drink. It is used across southern China as a tonic for the spleen and lungs, supporting immune function and easing digestive discomfort. Finger citron (fo shou gan) is one of the premier “qi-regulating” fruits in Chinese medicine — it gently eases stagnant liver qi that, when stuck, often disturbs the stomach and causes reflux. This soup smells beautiful while cooking and tastes clean and warming.

Method

1. Soak and rinse all dried ingredients separately.
2. Pit the red dates; cut the figs in half.
3. Cut the lean pork into thin strips.
4. Place all ingredients into a pot with 2.4 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours until you have approximately 1.2 L of soup.
6. Serve warm; suitable as a regular soup 2–3 times a week.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup has a lovely fragrance and a clean, mild taste — suitable for the whole family including children and the elderly. Beyond stomach issues, it is also helpful for those with liver qi stagnation (where emotions affect digestion), poor appetite and a tendency toward excess phlegm. If you cannot find finger citron shreds in your area, buy whole dried fo shou gan from a Chinese herbal shop and cut it into strips at home — the effect is identical.

For those wondering about H. pylori (helicobacter pylori): drinking a small glass of black currant juice before meals, or steeping dried dandelion root as a tea, is a traditional complementary approach Nourilo sometimes suggests alongside medical treatment.