Soups
Prunella, Zhe-Fritillaria & Cat's-Claw Lean Pork Soup
traditionally used to clear heat and help soften lumps and nodules
Why people make this soup
Life in the city is stressful — tense nerves, anxiety, and a lot of meals out heavy with oil, salt, sugar and processed seasonings. Over time that load can stir up inflammation, and lingering inflammation is the kind of background in which small nodules tend to appear. A nodule — in the thyroid, breast, lung, liver, gallbladder or kidney — is really the body raising a small flag. Most are benign, but they can grow or multiply, so people like to take steps early. This prunella, fritillaria and cat’s-claw soup is a long-standing Cantonese choice, traditionally used to clear heat, resolve toxins and help soften such lumps.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits adults and children alike; it is mild enough that even children with swollen lymph nodes in the neck have traditionally taken it.
- It is also considered suitable for people living with cancer.
- Pregnant women should not take it.
- If you feel it is too cooling, add a piece of aged tangerine peel (chen pi) and 2 honey dates.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Prunella (xia ku cao): traditionally associated with clearing heat and softening hard lumps.
- Zhejiang fritillaria (zhe bei mu): used to clear heat, transform phlegm and dissipate accumulation.
- Cat’s-claw root (mao zhao cao): traditionally used to help soften and disperse nodules.
- Lean pork (shou rou): a clean, nourishing base.
Ingredients (about 3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prunella (xia ku cao) | ~19 g (5 qian) | soak and rinse |
| Zhejiang fritillaria (zhe bei mu) | ~11 g (3 qian) | |
| Cat’s-claw root (mao zhao cao) | ~11 g (3 qian) | |
| Lean pork | ~300 g (half catty) | sliced, blanched |
Method
- Soak and rinse the herbs.
- Slice the lean pork and blanch it briefly to remove scum.
- Put everything in 7 bowls of water and simmer for about 1.5 hours until reduced to roughly 3 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
The medicinal taste isn’t strong, so old and young can take it. If you feel the cold, add a piece of chen pi and 2 honey dates. Pregnant women should not take it. Note that prunella swells a lot once cooked, so a vacuum (thermos) flask isn’t ideal for it.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Yy): Can I leave out the meat? Still simmer for an hour and a half? Bro Niu: Yes, you can leave out the meat, and simmer for half an hour.
-
Q (anonymous): If I can’t find cat’s-claw root, what can I use instead? Bro Niu: You can use about 19 g (5 qian) of kelp (kun bu) in its place.
-
Q (Yan513): Can fritillaria and cat’s-claw root be bought at an ordinary herb shop? Bro Niu: Zhejiang fritillaria is sold at every Chinese-medicine shop; cat’s-claw root isn’t always stocked, but I saw it easily at the herb shops around Sai Ying Pun.
Published March 6, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
