Striga (witchweed) and honey date soup with lean pork

Ingredientsone pot, serves 4

Method

1. Soak and wash the 獨腳金 striga clean of grit and sand.
2. Cut the lean pork into pieces and blanch it (汆水, a quick boil to draw out blood and scum).
3. Bring 1.5 litres of water to the boil and add the striga, honey dates and pork.
4. Boil hard for 10 minutes, then turn down to low and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours.
5. Add a pinch of salt and it is ready, or leave the salt out if children are drinking it.

Who it suits

• children with food stagnation or 疳積, the childhood failure to thrive that goes with it
• crying at night and restless sleep
• poor appetite

Who should take care

• Children with a weak, cold spleen and stomach should drink less of it

Soup stories

This is the classic folk remedy Hong Kong grandmothers turn to when a child will not eat. 獨腳金 is sold in paper packets in every herbal tea shop and Chinese medicine shop.

From the same family

Winter melon, dried shrimp and glass noodle soupAngled loofah, cloud ear fungus and pork slice soupYellowcress (marsh cress) and snakehead fish soup

Lo Fo Tong is cultural food-heritage reference, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, unwell or on medication, talk to your doctor or registered practitioner before changing what is in the pot.