Soups
Fresh Tu Fu Ling, Red Bean and Hyacinth Bean Soup
Traditionally used to clear heat, resolve damp and ease itchy skin
Why people make this soup
Itchy skin can flare in two opposite kinds of weather — dry spells, and warm damp ones. Bro Niu notes that older people in particular get persistent springtime itch, and that stress can make it worse. This soup is traditionally used to clear heat, resolve toxins, strengthen the spleen and drain damp, and is associated with easing the itchy skin that comes with a “dry-blood” or “damp-heat” picture. It’s a gentle, family-friendly bowl, especially welcome in muggy, foggy weather.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with itchy, sensitive skin in damp or dry weather; suitable for young and old, and traditionally said to help prevent boils.
- It can be taken during menstruation — the beans temper the cooling smilax.
- Children with G6PD deficiency (favism): use the red beans but NOT the hyacinth beans. The honey dates can be left out if you prefer.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh smilax root (tu fu ling): traditionally used to clear heat and resolve toxins; it is cooling.
- Adzuki red beans (chi xiao dou): classically used to drain damp and water.
- Hyacinth beans (bian dou): traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and resolve damp (omit for favism).
- Honey dates (mi zao): added for gentle sweetness and to round out the cooling soup.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh smilax root (tu fu ling) | ~150 g (4 liang) | Peeled, thinly sliced |
| Adzuki red beans (chi xiao dou) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinsed |
| Hyacinth beans (bian dou) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinsed; omit for favism |
| Honey dates (mi zao) | 4 | Optional |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients.
- Put them in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 2 hours down to 4 bowls, then serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Fresh smilax root is available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online — ask the seller to peel it and slice it thin so it gives up its flavor more easily. (Fresh smilax oxidizes very quickly, but it’s still fine to use once it has darkened.) This soup suits damp, foggy weather best, is fine for young and old, and is associated with helping prevent boils.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Polly): Can this smilax soup be taken during menstruation? Bro Niu: Smilax is on the cooling side, but the red beans and hyacinth beans reduce that, so it can be taken during your period.
- Q (anonymous): If the fresh smilax has oxidized, can I still use it? And can I leave out the honey dates? Bro Niu: Fresh smilax oxidizes very easily — you can still use it. Leaving out the honey dates is fine.
- Q (Momo): Can a child with favism (G6PD deficiency) drink soup made with red beans and hyacinth beans? Bro Niu: A child with favism can have the red beans, but the hyacinth beans are not recommended.
Published February 21, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
