Wolfberry Leaf and Goji Berry Pork Soup

Why people make this soup

If your mouth has a sour or acidic taste without having eaten anything acidic, traditional Chinese medicine would point to the liver meridian as a possible source. This pattern is often accompanied by a sensation of rising stomach qi — an acidic taste drifting up from the stomach toward the throat — along with bloating, mild dizziness, mood changes, easy irritability, and a tendency to belch. The liver is considered the organ most affected by stress and overwork in TCM theory.

This soup uses the fresh leaves of the wolfberry plant, which in Chinese food therapy are regarded as being even more potent than the berry for clearing liver toxins. Research cited by Nourilo suggests that wolfberry leaves may have liver-protective capacity many times greater than the dried goji berry. The leaves are mild-tasting, slightly sweet, and produce a clean, light soup that is pleasant to drink even for those who are not feeling unwell.