Soups
Imperata Root, Coix Seed, Corn Silk & Pork Bladder Soup
traditionally associated with promoting urination, reducing inflammation, and supporting urinary tract health
Why people make this soup
Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable for anyone, but particularly stubborn in women (due to a shorter urethra) and in older people, where infections can be hard to clear and may lead to serious complications. The Chinese food-therapy approach to supporting urinary tract health focuses on ingredients that promote healthy urination, reduce inflammatory burden, and create a urine environment less hospitable to bacteria. Importantly, Bro Niu always pairs this soup with plain medical advice: drink plenty of water, finish your antibiotics, and don’t skip follow-up tests. This soup works best as a complement to, not a replacement for, proper treatment.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suited to adults with mild urinary discomfort, those prone to recurring UTIs, and those supporting kidney health alongside medical care
- Also associated with supporting kidney inflammation (nephritis) as an adjunct dish
- People with cold, deficient constitutions (pi wei xu han) should be cautious — this soup is cooling and diuretic
- Pregnant women should not drink this soup — coix seeds (yi mi) are contraindicated in pregnancy; substitute red adzuki beans (chi xiao dou) instead
- Children with suspected UTI symptoms should be taken to a doctor promptly — do not rely on food therapy alone
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh imperata root (xian mao gen / Imperata cylindrica): A cooling, diuretic herb widely used in Cantonese soups; traditionally used to clear heat, stop bleeding, and reduce inflammation in the urinary tract
- Raw coix seeds (sheng yi mi): A mild diuretic that supports fluid metabolism, reduces damp-heat, and is widely researched for anti-inflammatory properties; use raw (not pre-roasted) for stronger diuretic action
- Corn with silk (su mi lian xu): Corn silk is a traditional diuretic; if fresh corn silk is available separately, use about 38 g of fresh silk instead of the whole cob for a stronger effect
- Pork bladder (zhu xiao du): In Chinese food therapy, the principle of “like nourishes like” (yi xing bu xing) suggests that the bladder of a pig supports the human bladder and urinary system
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh imperata root | 1 bundle (~50 g) | Wash and cut into sections |
| Raw coix seeds | 38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Corn with silk | 1 ear | Keep the silk; cut corn into sections |
| Pork bladder | 2 pieces | Requires thorough cleaning (see Method) |
Method
- Rinse the imperata root well and cut into sections.
- Soak the coix seeds for about 20 minutes, then rinse.
- Wash the corn with its silk intact; cut into sections.
- Clean the pork bladder: rub repeatedly inside and out with coarse salt, rinse thoroughly, and blanch in boiling water.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 6 bowls (about 1.2 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour until reduced to 3 bowls.
- Serve and drink while warm.
Bro Niu’s tips
If fresh corn silk is available at the market, using 38 g (1 liang) of fresh corn silk in place of the whole corn cob is even better. This soup also has a supportive role for people with kidney inflammation, but as with UTIs, medical treatment is the foundation. People with weak, cold constitutions and pregnant women should not drink this soup. For pregnancy, replace the coix seeds with red adzuki beans. Drink plenty of water every day — it is the single most important thing you can do for urinary tract health. And if symptoms do not improve, see your doctor; untreated UTIs can quietly develop into kidney infections.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (angela): My family member has a UTI and E. coli was found. Is this soup right for them? And is pork bladder the same as pork tripe? Bro Niu: This soup is suitable for UTI patients; drink for 3 consecutive days, then rest 2 days before continuing. Pork bladder (xiao du) is the pig’s urinary bladder, not the stomach (da du). For E. coli specifically, also try cooking green amaranth with garlic in a pork broth — it is particularly effective against E. coli.
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Q (mandy): I’ve had recurring candida infections for 2 years alongside urinary discomfort. Can I drink this soup? Bro Niu: You can use fresh imperata root, fresh corn silk, and raw coix seeds — 5 bowls boiled down to 2 bowls — as a daily tea, for 3 consecutive days. Candida is very stubborn; once your immunity dips it tends to recur, so you must continue seeing your doctor and taking medication. Food therapy is only supportive.
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Q (Ada): I get UTIs very easily. Is there something I can drink regularly for prevention? Bro Niu: You can use this soup, or alternatively cook fresh plantain herb (che qian cao / tian guan cao) about 75 g, fresh corn silk 75 g, and raw coix seeds 38 g together as a tea — drink once a week. Drink plenty of water every day.
Published August 1, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
