Fresh Smilax, Mung Bean, and Coix Seed Soup

Why people make this soup

Persistent skin itching is one of those problems that quietly wears people down, particularly in hot, humid climates — or during a flare-up of eczema or hives. Traditional Cantonese food therapy addresses this kind of “damp heat” skin irritation with ingredients that help the body clear excess heat and expel dampness. Fresh smilax rhizome (土茯苓) is the star of this recipe: a large, starchy root prized for its ability to cool and detoxify. Combined with mung beans and coix seeds — both well-known for their damp-clearing and skin-supporting properties — this is a simple, practical soup that families return to whenever itchy skin becomes a nuisance.