Soups
Kudzu Root, Adzuki Bean & Job's Tears Soup
Traditionally used to clear dryness and heat and support the spleen
Why people make this soup
When days swing between warm and cold, those who are weaker or recovering from illness catch colds easily — headache, tense muscles, an irritable, restless feeling. Bro Niu suggests a kudzu soup for exactly these moments. It is also kind to people with stiff neck and shoulders from overwork, or those who’ve eaten too much fried, rich food and feel stuffy, with red eyes or bad breath. Kudzu (pueraria) is both food and the herb “ge gen,” traditionally used to relax the muscles and ease thirst and restlessness.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People at the early stage of a cold, with stiff neck and shoulders, or feeling “heaty” from rich, fried food.
- Pregnant women should not use coix seed (yi mi) — replace it with hyacinth beans (bian dou).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Kudzu root (fen ge / ge gen): Traditionally used to relax the muscles, ease the surface and quench thirst and restlessness; its flavonoids are associated with supporting the blood vessels.
- Adzuki bean (chi xiao dou): Traditionally used to support fluid balance and a healthy urinary flow.
- Coix seed (yi mi): Traditionally used to support the spleen and help drain dampness.
- Tangerine peel (chen pi) & honey dates: Round out and gently sweeten the soup.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kudzu root | ~450 g | Peel, cut into chunks |
| Adzuki beans | ~38 g | Soak and rinse |
| Raw coix seed | ~38 g | Soak and rinse |
| Dried tangerine peel | 1 piece | Soak and rinse |
| Honey dates | 2 pieces | Rinse |
Method
- Tear the skin off the kudzu and cut into chunks.
- Soak and rinse the adzuki beans, coix seed and tangerine peel separately; rinse the honey dates.
- Add everything to 9 bowls of water.
- Simmer 2 hours until reduced to 4 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup also suits people at the early stage of a cold. Cooked long enough, it is moistening without being harshly cooling, and supports urinary flow without burdening the kidneys — suitable for men, women, young and old. But pregnant women should not use coix seed; use hyacinth beans instead.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Ling): Adzuki beans and coix seed are good, but used for weight loss, could they drain fluids too much and harm the kidneys? Bro Niu: Adzuki beans and coix seed are foods, so they generally won’t harm the kidneys much. But no food remedy should replace meals — for weight loss, 2–3 times a week is enough; stop once your constitution improves.
-
Q (Mui Nui): Does this kudzu soup help with neck and shoulder pain? I’ve moved abroad and can’t get fresh kudzu — can I use it dried? Is ge gen the same as fen ge? Any substitute? Bro Niu: The herb ge gen is dried kudzu — you can use the dried form, 2–3 taels for a soup.
-
Q (reader): Can I drink this soup during the postpartum confinement month? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup can be had during the confinement month.
Published March 5, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
