Mung Bean, Job's Tears and Rush Pith Grass Sweet Soup

Why people make this soup

Every autumn and winter, chickenpox circulates — and while modern medicine handles the infection, traditional food therapy offers something to keep the child comfortable during recovery. Nourilo shares this simple sweet soup made with mung beans, Job’s tears, and a small bundle of rush pith grass (a plant used in Chinese medicine to calm restlessness and clear heat). The soup is mild, naturally sweet with rock sugar added, and easy for children to accept. It is traditionally given to ease the heat and irritability that often accompany the rash, and to support the body as the blisters run their course.

Method

1. Rinse the mung beans and Job’s tears; soak for 30–60 minutes if time allows.
2. Place all ingredients except the rock sugar into a pot with 1.8 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 45 minutes until the liquid reduces to 600 ml.
4. Add rock sugar and stir until dissolved.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature. Drink the soup and eat some of the beans and barley.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup has a pleasant flavour that children generally do not resist. You can serve it for 3–5 consecutive days, stopping once the blisters have completely scabbed over. One practical note: during chickenpox, try to stop the child from scratching the blisters, as broken skin leaves scars (what older folk call “bean skin” marks). If you can find wax-plum oil at a Chinese medicine shop, applying it to itchy spots helps reduce discomfort. However, remember that wax-plum oil contains camphor and is strictly off-limits for children with G6PD deficiency.