Soups

Winter Melon, Soybean, Ginkgo and Job's Tears Soup

Traditionally clears damp-heat and is associated with reducing water retention

In short: Winter Melon, Soybean, Ginkgo and Job's Tears Soup is a soup that Traditionally clears damp-heat and is associated with reducing water retention. It is most often made for cooling & summer heat, skin & natural beauty, weight & metabolism. Total time about 1 hr 15 min. Key ingredients: winter melon, soybeans, job's tears (coix), honey dates.

Prep
15 min
Cook
1 hr
Total
1 hr 15 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
Winter Melon, Soybean, Ginkgo and Job's Tears Soup

Why people make this soup

Winter melon is a summer favorite — traditionally said to cool, drain damp, ease summer heat and reduce puffiness. Job’s tears does similar work, traditionally associated with draining excess fluid and lightening the body. Cooked together they make a clean, light soup that traditionally helps the body shed surplus water, and is a long-loved partner dish for anyone watching their weight.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Job's tears (coix) · Randomized controlled trial · 2024
    Myeloperoxidase activity rose significantly in the placebo group after 8 weeks but showed no significant change in the adlay tea group. Vascular endothelial function improved in the adlay group, especially in those over 40.Limitation: Participants were healthy adults and the outcomes were surrogate markers, so the results say little about clinical disease outcomes. Tea is a polyphenol-rich extract, not whole grain.PubMed 38945894 · 2 more job's tears (coix) studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Ingredient notes for this recipe

  • Ginkgo nuts: Fresh ginkgo seeds are toxic, and serious side effects have occurred after eating roasted seeds. Always cook them thoroughly, keep to the small amount in the recipe, and take extra care when serving children. Source: NIH NCCIH — Ginkgo

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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