Soups
Green Radish, Water Chestnut, Fig and Pork Shin Soup
traditionally associated with clearing internal heat, soothing sore throat, and supporting lung and stomach health
In short: Green Radish, Water Chestnut, Fig and Pork Shin Soup is a soup that traditionally associated with clearing internal heat, soothing sore throat, and supporting lung and stomach health. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, digestive wellness, cleansing & regularity. Total time about 135 min. Key ingredients: green radish, water chestnuts, figs, ginger.
Why people make this soup
In old-time China, rural homes burned coal bricks for heat in winter — and when windows were closed tight against the cold, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning was very real. Villagers discovered that pouring green radish juice into a person’s mouth could help revive someone overcome by fumes, and that after recovery, sweetened fresh radish juice helped restore the person. Whether or not this particular folk use has been validated, it speaks to how deeply green radish has been trusted in Chinese culture for its clearing and detoxifying qualities. Today, Nourilo recommends this soup to anyone who cooks at home with a gas stove — a gentle way to keep the body’s internal heat in check. Combined with water chestnuts, figs, almonds, and pork shin in a long simmer, this becomes a warming, naturally sweet soup that is particularly comforting during the dry, heaty months, and a reliable go-to for sore throats, mouth sores, and heat-related dryness.
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.
Ingredient notes for this recipe
- Apricot kernels: Raw apricot kernels contain amygdalin, which turns into cyanide after eating. EFSA estimates that half of one small raw kernel can exceed the safe level for a toddler. Use no more than the recipe states, never eat them raw, and do not serve them to young children. Source: European Food Safety Authority
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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