Hairy Fig Root (Wu Zhi Mao Tao) and Finger Citron Soup

Why people make this soup

Hairy fig root (wu zhi mao tao) is nicknamed “southern astragalus” — its action resembles astragalus (bei qi) but gentler. It has a lovely clean fragrance with a faint coconut note. Simmered with finger citron and red dates in a lean-pork soup, it’s traditionally taken by people troubled by acid reflux: it’s associated with strengthening the spleen, moving qi and easing stomach discomfort.

Method

1. Blanch the pork; soak and rinse the other ingredients.
2. Put everything in a pot with 2.4 L of water.
3. Simmer about 2 hours down to 0.9–1.2 L. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup helps regulate liver qi and suits people with stuck liver qi, gastritis or a bloated, gassy stomach. If you tend to retain damp, you can add 11 g each of poria (fu ling) and white atractylodes (bai zhu). Swap red dates for nan zao if they feel too warming, add a piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi), and it’s fine to make it without meat.