Damp-Clearing Winter Melon Soup

Why people make this soup

When hand-foot-and-mouth disease goes around, families with little ones in nursery or kindergarten worry. Nourilo’s approach is gentle and practical: during the season, cook some light, damp-clearing soups a few times a week to support a child’s defenses. This particular pot uses honeysuckle and capillary wormwood with winter melon, and is traditionally said to clear heat, cool the blood, calm the heart and drain damp. It is a supportive habit, not a treatment — handwashing and hygiene matter most.

Method

1. Wash the winter melon and cut into chunks.
2. Rinse the remaining ingredients.
3. Put everything in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
4. Simmer about 1.5 hours until reduced to 600 ml. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

The herbal taste here is light. If the child finds it bland, add 3 honey dates while cooking to sweeten it. And the key reminder: teach children to wash their hands before handling food, and keep up good personal hygiene.