He Shou Wu and Catfish Soup

Why people make this soup

In traditional Chinese food therapy, hair is understood to reflect the state of the liver, kidneys, and blood. When these are well nourished, hair tends to be thick and lustrous; when they are depleted — often through stress, overwork, or simply ageing — the hair may thin or grey earlier than expected. This warming soup pairs he shou wu, one of the most celebrated herbs for supporting kidney and liver essence, with protein-rich catfish and black soybeans to create a deeply nourishing pot that many families brew during periods of stress-related or age-related hair thinning. It is also traditionally associated with supporting ear health.

Note: he shou wu should not be cooked in stainless-steel pots; use a clay pot, glass pot, or ceramic pot for best results.