Soups
Five-Finger Fig Lean Pork Soup
traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen, clearing dampness from the body, and gently nourishing lung qi
In short: Five-Finger Fig Lean Pork Soup is a soup that traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen, clearing dampness from the body, and gently nourishing lung qi. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, digestive wellness, cooling & summer heat. Total time about 2 hr 15 min. Key ingredients: lean pork, red dates.
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). Nourilo 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.
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.
- Red dates
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
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