Soups
Five-Finger Fig Lean Pork Soup
traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen, clearing dampness from the body, and gently nourishing lung qi
Why people make this soup
Five-finger fig (wu zhi mao tao) is a wild plant from southern China whose root is used in traditional Cantonese soups. Its leaves typically have four or five lobes, its fruit resembles a small peach, and the root carries a faint, pleasant coconut fragrance that infuses any soup it is added to. In regions where astragalus (huang qi) is not easily available, five-finger fig is used as a gentler substitute — which is why it is sometimes nicknamed “southern astragalus” or “earth astragalus” (nan qi / tu huang qi). Bro Niu first encountered it growing in a fruit orchard during a trip to mainland China, alongside various mountain herbs.
This soup is mild, fragrant, and neutral in temperature — suitable for men, women, the elderly, and children alike, particularly when the body feels heavy, energy is low, or digestion is sluggish.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for the whole family; particularly good for children with lung-weakness coughs, or those who feel generally fatigued, heavy, or bloated
- Good for people experiencing the classic signs of internal dampness: poor energy, heavy limbs, loose stools, poor appetite
- Also traditionally recommended for postpartum mothers with insufficient milk
- Safe during pregnancy
- Those with an active fever should wait until the fever subsides before using tonifying soups; if there is no fever, mild cold-recovery symptoms are generally fine
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Five-finger fig root (wu zhi mao tao): Mildly sweet and neutral; in food therapy this herb is associated with strengthening the spleen, resolving dampness, expelling phlegm, nourishing the lungs, and improving overall qi. Used for lung-deficiency coughs, spleen-deficiency swelling, general fatigue, and wind-damp joint pain.
- Lean pork (shou rou): Provides protein and supports the qi without being too rich or fatty; a neutral base meat in many Cantonese soups.
- Red dates (hong zao): Warm and nourishing to the spleen; improve sweetness and balance of the broth. Can be replaced with southern dates (nan zao) for those who prefer a less warming option.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Five-finger fig root | 75 g (2 liang) | Buy the whole branch/root form, not sliced, to avoid mix-up with other roots |
| Lean pork | 300 g (8 liang) | Blanch briefly in boiling water first to remove impurities |
| Red dates | 6 pieces | Pitted |
| Water | 8 bowls (~2 litres) | Reduce to 4 bowls over 2 hours |
Method
- Rinse the five-finger fig root thoroughly. Soak in water for about 30 minutes, then discard the soaking water (helps reduce any acidic note and removes excess sulphur if the herb has been dried with it).
- Blanch the lean pork in boiling water briefly (1–2 minutes); remove and rinse.
- Pit the red dates.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 2 hours, until about 4 bowls remain.
- Season lightly with salt if desired. Serve and eat the soup ingredients along with the broth.
Bro Niu’s tips
- Buy five-finger fig in the whole branch/root form (orange-coloured pieces shaped like small branches) rather than sliced. The whole form is easier to identify and much less likely to be mixed up with toxic lookalike plants like thunder-god vine (lei gong teng), whose roots can become entangled with five-finger fig during growth and may accidentally be included when the root is cut into slices.
- Soak the root in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking, and discard the soaking water.
- This soup can also be made with chicken instead of pork — especially good for those with insufficient qi, shortness of breath on exertion, or postpartum milk insufficiency.
- Five-finger fig can be combined with astragalus (huang qi), Chinese yam (huai shan), or goji berries to further enhance the qi-nourishing effect.
- Minimum simmering time is 2 hours for the root to release its therapeutic compounds.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (SS): Can five-finger fig be used with fresh poria root and red dates for a damp-clearing soup? Bro Niu: Yes, five-finger fig combined with poria (tu fu ling) and red dates makes a good soup for strengthening qi and resolving dampness.
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Q (Joyce): I have no fever. Can I drink this soup during a minor cold? Bro Niu: If there is no fever, you can drink it. If there is fever, treat the fever first and wait for it to subside before drinking tonifying soups.
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Q (Qchan): If I cannot find five-finger fig, what can I substitute? I feel short of breath with any exertion and have no energy. Bro Niu: You can substitute astragalus root (huang qi, 5 qian / about 19 g) for the five-finger fig. Astragalus has the same spleen and lung qi-nourishing function, just a bit stronger. Use the same method.
Published June 1, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
