Soups
Green Papaya, Octopus, Chestnut and Fig Soup
Traditionally used to strengthen bones and sinews and support against inflammation
In short: Green Papaya, Octopus, Chestnut and Fig Soup is a soup that Traditionally used to strengthen bones and sinews and support against inflammation. It is most often made for bone & joint wellness, everyday balance. Total time about 2 hr 25 min. Key ingredients: green papaya, octopus, chestnuts, figs.
Why people make this soup
Nourilo loves green papaya in soup — it’s nutritious, rich in vitamins C and K, papain and choline, all of which help keep bones healthy and support the body against inflammation. Paired with octopus, chestnut, fig and pork shin, it becomes a soup that strengthens bones and sinews for children and elders alike.
Method
- Peel and deseed the green papaya and cut into chunks; cut and soak the octopus; peel the chestnuts; rinse the figs; cut and blanch the pork shin.
- Add everything to a pot with 2.7 L of water and simmer for 2 hours until reduced to 1.2–1.5 L.
Nourilo’s Tips
This soup is fragrant and tasty, fine for young and old. Green papaya protects the stomach and intestinal lining, so it suits those with stomach ulcers or stomach trouble; older people with rheumatic bone pain or early macular changes can also drink it. But pregnant women should avoid papaya as it may make the uterus contract — use lotus root instead.
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.
- Ginger
Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger 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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