Soups

Five-Finger Peach, Finger Citron and Tangerine Peel Soup

Traditionally used to ease gastritis, regulate qi, and relieve bloating and stomach pain

In short: Five-Finger Peach, Finger Citron and Tangerine Peel Soup is a soup that Traditionally used to ease gastritis, regulate qi, and relieve bloating and stomach pain. It is most often made for digestive wellness, liver wellness, energy & vitality. Total time about 2 hr 10 min. Key ingredients: tangerine peel.

Prep
10 min
Cook
2 hr
Total
2 hr 10 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
Five-Finger Peach, Finger Citron and Tangerine Peel Soup

Why people make this soup

Five-finger peach root (wu zhi mao tao) is a beloved Cantonese herbal ingredient — it goes by the names “southern astragalus” and “earth astragalus” because its actions are similar to the well-known tonic root astragalus (huang qi), but with a gentle, slightly coconut-like aroma that makes it very approachable in soup. Even people who find herbal soups too medicinal-tasting tend to enjoy this one. It is traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen, boosting qi, and moving dampness — a combination that makes it excellent for people who tire easily, feel chronically run-down, or experience digestive discomfort. Paired here with finger citron (fo shou / Buddha’s hand) and tangerine peel, it specifically targets the pattern of liver qi stagnation affecting the stomach: the kind of gastric discomfort that shows up as bloating, acid reflux, pain that radiates to the ribs, reduced appetite, and a general sense of fullness and sluggishness after meals.

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.

  • Tangerine peel · Randomized controlled trial, 72 participants · 2025
    The tangerine peel drink group showed significant reductions in body weight and triglycerides after the intervention compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Safety markers showed no adverse effects. Gut microbiota and serum metabolite profiles also differed.Limitation: Small pilot trial with only 55 of 72 participants completing. The fermented product is not the same as plain tangerine peel, and the control group is not described.PubMed 40225325

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

Members only

Unlock the full method & Nourilo's tips

One payment, lifetime access to every one of our 2,344 recipes — step-by-step methods, preparation tips and serving notes.

  • Full step-by-step method for this and all 2,344 recipes
  • Nourilo's Tips — sourcing, substitutions and serving notes
  • One-time payment · card, Apple Pay or Google Pay · no subscription, no renewals

Checking your access…

Spot an error? Report a correction

Answers this recipe appears in

Comments

Loading comments…