Purslane, Mung Bean, Pearl Barley and Lean Pork Soup

Why people make this soup

Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which can lie dormant in nerve tissue for decades. The illness typically begins with a painful rash on one side of the body, and the most feared complication is post-herpetic neuralgia — a burning, stabbing nerve pain that can persist for months after the rash has healed. The sooner treatment begins, the lower the risk of this lasting pain.

In Chinese food therapy, fresh purslane (ma chi xian) is one of the most highly regarded natural “clearing” herbs — sometimes described as having properties analogous to an antibiotic, in that it is traditionally associated with clearing bacterial and viral heat-toxins from the body. Mung beans and raw pearl barley add further clearing and cooling action. This soup is Nourilo’s own experience: he developed mild shingles after his second vaccination and prepared this soup for himself during recovery — sharing it here as a practical resource for others.

Method

1. Remove the roots from the purslane, wash thoroughly, and cut into sections. Set aside — it will be added partway through cooking.
2. Soak and rinse the mung beans and raw pearl barley.
3. Slice the pork and blanch in boiling water for 1–2 minutes; drain and rinse.
4. Place the mung beans, pearl barley, and pork in a pot with 2.1 L of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
5. Add the purslane sections and continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
6. Serve warm, eating the solid ingredients along with the broth.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup has a clean, mildly cooling flavour — pleasant and not overly medicinal. It is also traditionally considered useful for preventing urinary tract infections and a range of skin conditions. The key ingredient is fresh purslane, which is the most potent form; it can be found at Chinese or Asian grocers, herbal stalls, or online. Dried purslane (38 g) is an acceptable substitute if fresh is not available. Keep the diet light and avoid “trigger” foods (fa wu) such as shellfish, goose, bamboo shoots, and mango while recovering from shingles, as these are traditionally thought to aggravate inflammation.