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.