Soups
Capillary Wormwood, Abrus, Soybean and Pork Bone Soup
Traditionally used to clear heat, support the liver and soothe discomfort
Why people make this soup
When a group dines out, using shared serving chopsticks is a wonderful habit — it helps prevent the spread of various illnesses. Bro Niu reminds us that the liver is the body’s quiet, “silent” organ, handling metabolism and clearing the system, and early on there may be few obvious signs, so personal hygiene matters when eating with friends or colleagues. Capillary wormwood and abrus are both traditionally used to clear heat and soothe the liver, easing discomfort. Cooked into a soup for the whole family now and then, this is a comforting choice that, beyond supporting the liver and gallbladder, is also kind to the cardiovascular system.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who want an occasional liver-friendly family soup, or who feel a stuffy, distended discomfort under the ribs or in the stomach area.
- Those with a cold, weak spleen and stomach should drink this only sparingly.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Capillary wormwood (mian yin chen): Traditionally used to clear heat and support the liver and gallbladder.
- Abrus / chicken bone grass (ji gu cao): Long associated with soothing the liver and easing discomfort.
- Soybeans (huang dou): Add nourishment and body to the soup.
- Honey dates (mi zao): Round out and harmonise the flavour.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capillary wormwood | ~19 g | soaked and rinsed |
| Abrus / chicken bone grass | ~75 g | soaked and rinsed |
| Soybeans | ~38 g | soaked and rinsed |
| Honey dates | 2 | |
| Pork shoulder bone | ~300 g | blanched |
Method
- Soak and rinse the capillary wormwood, abrus and soybeans separately.
- Blanch the pork shoulder bone.
- Place everything in a pot with 9 bowls of water.
- Cook for 2 hours until reduced to 4–5 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup has only a mild herbal taste. It is quite friendly for people who feel a stuffy, distended discomfort under the ribs or in the stomach area — but those with a cold, weak spleen and stomach should drink it only sparingly.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ling): Bro Niu, how do I tell whether I have a cold, weak spleen and stomach? Bro Niu: If your tongue coating is white, thick and greasy, your complexion is sallow, you feel cold easily, your stomach aches easily, and you feel unwell after eating cold or raw foods — that points to the cold-and-weak spleen-and-stomach type.
Published August 19, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
