Soups
Green Radish, Snow Fungus, Water Chestnut & Fig Soup
traditionally used to clear heat, support lung moisture, aid digestion, and promote detoxification
Why people make this soup
Root vegetables are nutritional powerhouses: low in fat, rich in minerals, and — because they grow underground — capable of absorbing a concentrated range of nutrients from the soil. Green radish in particular stands out. It contains amylase and other digestive enzymes that support the body’s ability to break down food efficiently. In traditional Chinese food therapy, green radish is considered a versatile cooling ingredient that helps clear accumulated internal heat, supports lung moisture, and assists the body in eliminating waste. Bro Niu pairs it here with the collagen-rich snow fungus, crisp water chestnuts, apricot kernels, and figs to create a soup that is sweet-tasting, easy to drink, and genuinely nourishing.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most people, including children and the elderly, as an everyday wellness soup
- Particularly helpful for those experiencing lung heat symptoms: dry cough, sore throat, or constipation
- People with a qi-deficient (energy-depleted) constitution should not drink large amounts of radish soup frequently, as radish has a mild dispersing effect on qi
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green radish (qing luo bo): Traditionally associated with promoting digestion, clearing heat, and detoxifying; the source notes it may also help neutralise pollutant toxins — a nice bonus for city dwellers
- Snow fungus (xue er / Tremella): A classic lung-nourishing ingredient in Chinese food therapy, prized for its gelatinous, moistening qualities; traditionally used for dry cough and skin nourishment
- Water chestnut (ma ti): Cooling and sweet-tasting; traditionally used to clear heat and support digestion; also associated with binding and neutralising certain heavy metal toxins
- Apricot kernels (nan bei xing): A standard pairing for respiratory support in Cantonese soups; help to soothe and moisten the lung passages
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Naturally sweet; traditionally used to lubricate the intestines and ease dry throats
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green radish | 1 medium | Peeled and cut into chunks |
| Water chestnuts | 8–10 pieces | Peeled |
| Snow fungus (dried) | 3 qian (~11 g) | Soaked until soft; stem removed |
| Southern + northern apricot kernels | 5 qian combined | Rinsed |
| Dried figs | 4 pieces | Halved |
| Lean pork | ~300 g | Blanched to remove impurities |
| Water | 7–8 bowls |
Method
- Peel the green radish and water chestnuts; cut the radish into chunks.
- Soak the snow fungus in cold water until fully softened; remove the tough stem and tear into smaller pieces.
- Rinse the apricot kernels. Halve the dried figs.
- Slice the lean pork into thick pieces and blanch in boiling water briefly; drain and discard the water.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 7–8 bowls of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for 1 hour.
- The soup should reduce to about 4 bowls. Serve with the solid ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Green radish is traditionally thought to help the body clear pollutant toxins, while water chestnut is associated with binding heavy-metal compounds like lead. Together they make this a sensible everyday soup for city-dwellers concerned about environmental exposures. People without qi deficiency can drink it regularly. A gentle caution: do not over-consume radish soup if you often feel fatigued or short of breath, as its dispersing nature may not suit everyone in large amounts.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ada): I have two questions — (1) How to manage menopausal hot flushes? (2) I wake in the middle of the night, have night sweats, and cannot get back to sleep; I also wake early. What can help? Bro Niu: For reducing hot flushes and night sweats, try: ye jiao teng (night-blooming vine stem) 1 liang, fu xiao mai (blighted wheat) 5 qian, nan zao (southern dates) 5 pieces, bai he (lily bulb) 1 liang, cooked in 5 bowls of water down to 2 bowls. Available from Chinese herb shops. Take for 3 doses and see if there is improvement.
Published November 10, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
