Hairy fig root

五指毛桃

strengthens the spleendispels dampnessrelaxes sinews and joints健脾補肺行氣利濕補而不燥，帶天然椰香，有「南芪」之稱

The root of Ficus hirta, a wild fig shrub of the Lingnan hills, sold as dried sand-coloured root strips and shreds. It stands up to hours of boiling and releases a distinctive coconut-milk aroma that gives the soup a rounded, faintly sweet body; the root itself stays woody and is not eaten.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、lung、liver

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy it is prized as 'southern astragalus', used to strengthen the spleen, moisten the lungs and ease damp without heatiness. Traditionally paired with tu fu ling or millettia root in damp-season pots to relax the sinews and move qi.

Cautions — read first

Do not use it together with white radish, as that weakens the effect
Pregnant women should check with a Chinese medicine practitioner before drinking it
The spent root left in the pot is coarse and fibrous, so do not eat it

Preparation

Soak and wash the dried root fibres to get the grit out. It stands up to long boiling and gives off a coconut scent.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

廣東（河源等嶺南山區） — AU supply is a herbal-shop line (Wellsoon bulk packs), not a mainstream grocer item

Availability in Australia

Herbal shops / specialists · A$5.8–5.8 / 100g
Wellsoon Five Finger Peach 五指毛桃 500g bulk pack $28.99

Pairs well with

Millettia root Smilax rhizome (tu fu ling)Poria Lean pork Old hen (stewing chicken)

Soups that use this ingredient · 1

Five-finger fig root (hairy fig) and carrot soup with pork ribsA$16–18

五指毛桃紅蘿蔔排骨湯

strengthens the spleenreplenishes qidispels dampnessSpringAll year

百子櫃Hairy fig root· 75 g街市Carrot· 2百子櫃Job's tears / coix seed· 40 g (1 tael)街市Pork spare ribs· 600 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 1 piece

“The pot for damp weather.”