Soups
Capillary Wormwood, Mung Bean and Smilax Soup
Traditionally used to clear damp-heat and support the liver and skin
Why people make this soup
Roughly 8% of people in Hong Kong are hepatitis B carriers, so good hygiene — separate chopsticks when sharing meals, not sharing razors or toothbrushes — matters. This “capillary wormwood damp-clearing soup” is traditionally associated with clearing damp-heat and supporting the liver. Combined with mung bean and smilax, it is also traditionally used by people with damp-heat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and ringworm.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with a damp-heat constitution or liver heat, and those with damp-heat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or ringworm.
- Cooling soup — drink only sparingly if you run cold, feel “unable to take tonics,” or get dizzy from cold foods. People with a liver condition should see a doctor. (Per Bro Niu, those with G6PD deficiency / favism can drink this capillary-wormwood soup.)
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Capillary wormwood (mian yin chen): Traditionally associated with clearing damp-heat and supporting the gallbladder and liver.
- Mung beans (lü dou): Cooling; traditionally linked with clearing heat. (Can be swapped for adzuki beans for those who run cold.)
- Smilax (tu fu ling): Traditionally associated with draining damp, supporting the joints, and protecting the liver; fresh is considered stronger than dried.
- Honey dates (mi zao): Add sweetness and soften the cooling nature.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capillary wormwood (mian yin chen) | ~37.5 g (1 liang) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Mung beans (lü dou) | ~37.5 g (1 liang) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Smilax (tu fu ling) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Or ~75 g fresh |
| Honey dates (mi zao) | 2 |
Method
- Soak and rinse all the ingredients separately.
- Simmer in 8 bowls of water for 1 hour, reducing to about 4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Smilax (tu fu ling) is traditionally associated with draining damp, easing the joints, and protecting the liver. The fresh form is considered more effective than dried — if using fresh, use about 2 liang.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Jannie): Is this suitable for someone with a cold constitution and a weak spleen-stomach? Can I swap mung beans for adzuki beans? Bro Niu: You can use adzuki beans instead. People who run cold should not over-drink it, but if there is liver heat it is worth taking.
- Q (Ling): I am the “depleted, can’t-take-tonics” type and get dizzy from cold foods — is this soup suitable? Bro Niu: This soup is cooling, so those who can’t take tonics or get dizzy should drink little. People with hepatitis can add two extra pieces of tangerine peel (chen pi).
- Q (Chancarol): This soup has capillary wormwood — can someone with G6PD deficiency drink it? Bro Niu: People with favism (G6PD deficiency) can drink the capillary-wormwood soup.
Published July 20, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
