Soups
Winter Melon, Soybean, Ginkgo and Job's Tears Soup
Traditionally clears damp-heat and is associated with reducing water retention
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.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who feel heavy, puffy or water-logged and want a light, damp-clearing soup.
- Ginkgo has mild toxicity — remove the hearts, stick to the 12 nuts given, and keep it away from young children.
- Pregnant readers should check with a doctor before adding ginkgo.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Winter melon (dong gua): traditionally said to clear heat, drain damp and reduce swelling.
- Job’s tears (yi mi): traditionally used to drain damp, support the skin and lighten the body.
- Ginkgo (bai guo): traditionally said to astringe the lungs and curb excessive urination, here used to balance the fluid-draining ingredients so the body’s reserves are not overly depleted.
- Soybean and honey dates (huang dou, mi zao): add gentle nourishment and natural sweetness.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Winter melon (with skin) | ~600 g (1 jin) | Cut into thick chunks |
| Soybeans | ~75 g (2 liang) | Rinse |
| Raw Job’s tears | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinse |
| Ginkgo nuts, hearts removed | 12 pieces | |
| Honey dates | 2 pieces |
Method
- Wash the winter melon (skin on) and cut into thick chunks.
- Rinse the soybeans, Job’s tears, ginkgo and honey dates.
- Add everything to a pot with water and simmer about 1 hour.
- Eat the soup with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
The ginkgo here is traditionally said to astringe the lungs, settle wheezing and curb urination. Adding it helps keep the fluid-draining soup from depleting too much water and weakening the body’s reserves. If you’d rather skip ginkgo, you can swap in adzuki beans (chi xiao dou).
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (duckduck): What can I use to replace ginkgo? Bro Niu: Without ginkgo, you can use adzuki beans (chi xiao dou) instead.
-
Q (Mrs. Chan): I’d prepared everything then found I had no soybeans — I used flat beans (bian dou) instead. That’s okay, right? Bro Niu: Flat beans strengthen the spleen and boost qi, so they can stand in for soybeans.
Published August 25, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
