Soups
Kudzu Root, Old Mulberry Twig & Pork Shin Soup
Traditionally associated with soothing stiff neck, shoulder pain, and joint discomfort
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.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with stiff, achy shoulders and neck — including those with “frozen shoulder” or mild joint discomfort
- Those who frequently eat spicy or fried foods and feel internally overheated
- Those recovering from a mild cold accompanied by neck and upper back tension
- Generally suitable for all ages; people with gout should substitute another protein for the kidney beans (Bro Niu notes that for gout sufferers, only adzuki beans are well-tolerated among the bean family)
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Kudzu root (fen ge / Pueraria lobata): One of the most well-known herbs in Cantonese soup cooking; traditionally associated with relaxing stiff muscles, supporting fluid metabolism, and clearing internal heat; research is ongoing into its isoflavone content
- Old mulberry twig (lao sang zhi / Ramulus Mori): Dried segments of mature mulberry branch; in traditional Chinese medicine used for wind-damp bi-syndrome (joint stiffness and pain related to cold-damp exposure); considered to act on the upper limbs in particular
- Red kidney beans (hong yao dou): Added for body and mild diuretic support; people with gout should omit these and use another vegetable
- Honey dates (mi zao): Naturally sweet, used to balance the slightly cooling nature of the other ingredients and round out the flavour of the broth
- Pork shin (zhu zhan): Provides protein and collagen-rich broth; the long cooking time draws out a rich, clear stock
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kudzu root | 1 whole root | Peel removed, cut into large chunks |
| Old mulberry twig | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Red kidney beans | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Honey dates | 2–3 pieces | |
| Pork shin | 1 large piece | Blanched first to remove impurities |
| Water | 10 bowls (~2 L) |
Method
- Tear or peel the tough outer skin off the kudzu root; rinse and cut into large chunks.
- Soak and rinse the old mulberry twig and kidney beans separately.
- Cut the pork shin into large pieces. Blanch in boiling water for a few minutes, then drain and rinse.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 10 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours until the broth reduces to about 4–5 bowls.
- Serve and enjoy — the soup has a clean, lightly fragrant taste with almost no strong herbal smell.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup tastes clean and mild — most people would not even guess there are any herbs in it, which makes it easy to serve to everyone. It is traditionally considered helpful for stiff neck and back after an early cold, frozen shoulder, and even for those recovering from mild stroke-related complications. Adding 2 qian (~7 g) of cinnamon twig (gui zhi) can help draw the therapeutic action upward to the shoulders and arms more quickly. If cooking for the whole family, toss in a handful of chestnuts for extra flavour and nourishment.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (火马骏星 / reader): Can I add cow-knee root (niu da li) and poria with heart (bao xin fu shen) to this soup? I have shoulder pain and also poor sleep. Bro Niu: Yes, you can add about 5 qian (~19 g) each of cow-knee root and fu shen.
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Q (Ka / reader): My 80-year-old family member has shoulder pain from a fall — she has been diagnosed with frozen shoulder and slight bone degeneration. The physiotherapy helps for a day then the pain returns. What soup can help? Bro Niu: Try this kudzu and mulberry twig soup with 2 qian of cinnamon twig (gui zhi) added in — cook three batches for her to drink. The gui zhi helps guide the other herbs up to the shoulder area. For the whole family, adding 3 liang of chestnuts makes it tastier and more nourishing.
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Q (匿名 / reader): Can someone with gout drink this? And can you swap in dace fish? Bro Niu: For gout, kidney beans are not ideal — among all the beans, only adzuki beans (chi xiao dou) are better tolerated. You can substitute another vegetable. And yes, dace fish can be used instead of pork.
Published December 26, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
