Kudzu Root, Old Mulberry Twig & Pork Shin Soup

Why people make this soup

When the weather swings between warm and cold, many people feel a familiar stiffness creeping into the neck and shoulders. In traditional Chinese food therapy, kudzu root (fen ge) has long been used to relax the muscles along the back of the neck and ease heat-related stiffness. It is also considered helpful for those who tend to eat a lot of spicy food or drink regularly — warming and clearing at the same time. Paired with old mulberry twig (lao sang zhi), which is traditionally associated with easing joint pain and improving circulation in the limbs, this makes a naturally fragrant, almost medicine-free tasting soup that the whole household can enjoy. People with frozen shoulder or recurring neck stiffness often keep this in their regular rotation.