Fresh Smilax Root, Kudzu and Green Mint Soup

Why people make this soup

Shingles — known colloquially as “living snake” (sheng she) in Cantonese — is caused by the varicella-zoster virus reactivating in the body, typically during periods of low immunity, chronic stress, or physical exhaustion. While it was once mainly seen in older adults with weakened constitutions, Nourilo notes that it has become increasingly common in younger and middle-aged people in recent years, likely due to long work hours, high stress, and dietary habits that tend to create what Chinese food-therapy calls a “damp-heat” imbalance.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the underlying pattern associated with shingles is excess heat-toxins combined with dampness in the body. This three-ingredient soup — fresh smilax root, kudzu, and spearmint — has long been used in Cantonese households as a supportive herbal drink to help the body clear heat and dampness. The flavour is light and refreshing. Those who cannot find fresh smilax can add a handful of mung beans (green beans) as an alternative.

Method

1. Peel the fresh smilax and kudzu root; slice both into pieces of similar thickness.
2. Rinse the spearmint (xiang hua cai) thoroughly.
3. Place the smilax and kudzu into a pot with 2.1 L of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer and cook for 2 hours.
4. Add the spearmint and bring back to a boil. Let it roll for 5 minutes.
5. The soup should now measure 3–4 bowls. Serve and drink while warm.

Nourilo’s Tips

Green spearmint (xiang hua cai) has a liver-soothing and wind-dispersing quality. If you can find fresh mint leaves (bo he ye), using those instead will give an even stronger heat-clearing effect. If you cannot find spearmint, substitute with 38 g (38 g) of mung beans and cook them in from the beginning — mung beans also help clear heat and toxins. Spearmint (xiang hua cai) is available at Chinese or Asian grocers and online. For a family-sized pot, add lean pork to the soup and double all quantities. This soup can be drunk both as prevention for people who are prone to heat-related skin flare-ups, and as a supportive measure during active illness alongside medical care — allow at least two hours between this soup and any prescribed medication.