Soups
Fresh Houttuynia, Carrot & Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally used to clear lung heat, support recovery from respiratory infection, and ease cough with phlegm
Why people make this soup
Houttuynia cordata — called yu xing cao in Mandarin or jyu sing chou in Cantonese — has a pungent, fish-like smell when raw that disappears completely on cooking, leaving a clean, slightly herbaceous broth. It is one of the most widely researched herbs in East Asian medicine, with laboratory studies suggesting strong antimicrobial activity. In traditional food therapy it is used specifically for what practitioners call “lung heat” — thick yellow-green phlegm, sore inflamed throat, bronchitis, and situations where infection has settled into the respiratory tract. Combined with carrot, which acts as a mild anti-inflammatory companion, this is a relatively quick soup (30 minutes) that can be made repeatedly during recovery.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with lung heat-type cough: yellow or thick phlegm, inflamed throat, respiratory infection, bronchitis, or during recovery from pneumonia (alongside medical treatment)
- Also useful for flu, habitual constipation, and damp-heat patterns in the digestive system
- Caution: cold-type cough (watery white phlegm, cough that worsens in cold air, cold constitution) — this soup is too cooling and is not appropriate; do not use during menstruation — too cooling for the uterus; the elderly with very weak constitutions should add tangerine peel and use a slightly smaller amount of houttuynia
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Houttuynia (yu xing cao): The leaves and stems are used. Strongly cooling, traditionally associated with clearing heat-toxins, reducing pus and inflammation, and supporting the lungs and urinary tract. Modern studies support antimicrobial properties. Use fresh herb for best effect; do not cook for more than 20 minutes or the active compounds degrade.
- Carrot (hong luo bo): Considered to strengthen the body against pathogens; adds natural sweetness and visual warmth to the broth. Carrot and houttuynia are said to have complementary antimicrobial actions.
- Lean pork: Provides protein and body; makes the soup satisfying enough to eat as a light meal.
Ingredients (about 3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh houttuynia | 112 g | Rinse and cut into sections |
| Carrot | 1 medium | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Lean pork | 225 g | Slice thinly |
Method
- Rinse the fresh houttuynia thoroughly; cut into sections.
- Peel and chunk the carrot. Slice the lean pork thinly.
- Bring 6 cups (about 1.4 litres) of water to a boil. Add all ingredients.
- Simmer for 30 minutes — do not over-simmer; houttuynia loses its beneficial properties if cooked too long. Aim for 15–20 minutes of active simmering after adding the herb.
- Serve as a light soup-meal, drinking the broth and eating the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This is a straightforward, fast soup — useful to have ready during a respiratory illness. Red dates (6 pieces) can be added to the pot for extra nourishment and to slightly moderate the cooling effect. If your houttuynia is particularly strongly-smelling or you are serving it to older adults with a weaker stomach, add one piece of dried tangerine peel and reduce the houttuynia to 2 liang (75 g). Fresh houttuynia can usually be found at markets selling fresh herbs; it is sometimes available frozen.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Wen): My child has been diagnosed with near-pneumonia. They have been taking medicine and the fever is reducing. Can they drink houttuynia soup now? Bro Niu: Yes, houttuynia can help prevent and manage lung infections. Add north and south apricot kernels (1 liang), 1 carrot, and 4 dried figs, and simmer into a lean pork soup. Fresh houttuynia should not be cooked for too long — 15–20 minutes of simmering is enough.
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Q (Cherry, regarding elderly parent): Can an older person with recurring pneumonia drink this regularly? They also have a cold stomach. Bro Niu: An elderly person with pneumonia can take this soup. If they have a cold stomach, add 2 pieces of dried tangerine peel. That is enough — adding too many pieces would make the flavour bitter.
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Q (Apple): My partner recovered from shingles and then developed a lung infection. He has been on antibiotics for two months and has lost a lot of weight. Can he drink this soup? Bro Niu: He can take this fresh houttuynia soup — 2–3 servings should be helpful.
Published October 7, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
