Mantis Egg Case and Black Bean Soup

Why people make this soup

While preparing recipes for a book on postpartum confinement, Nourilo made two food-therapy recipes for abnormal urination. Women who have lost a lot of blood during childbirth and become physically weak may experience frequent urination or urinary incontinence, and mantis egg case (sang piao xiao) is often used traditionally in such situations. It is the egg case of a large mantis and is traditionally associated with supporting urinary control. Nourilo uses it again in this soup, which is intended mainly for people troubled by frequent night urination.

Frequent night urination can have many causes, including an enlarged prostate in men, urinary-tract inflammation in women, uterine fibroids affecting the urinary system, or an overactive bladder. Inflammation must be assessed and treated by a doctor; this soup is only a traditional food-therapy accompaniment and not a substitute for treatment.

Method

1. Soak the black beans in water for 30 minutes. Soak and rinse the remaining ingredients separately.
2. Put all the ingredients into a pot with 6 bowls of water.
3. Simmer for 1 hour, reducing the liquid to 2 bowls. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

The herbal flavour of this soup is not too strong, and both men and women can take it. Nourilo especially recommends paying attention if night urination occurs more than three times a night, particularly in older adults or people with heart disease or diabetes. These groups should remember to have regular medical check-ups to understand the reason for frequent night urination and receive appropriate treatment when needed.