Snakehead Fish, Black Soybean, and Licorice Soup: Benefits & Recipe

Snakehead Fish, Black Soybean, and Licorice Decoction · Medicinal Food Science Education

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

Black Fish and Black Soybean Licorice Decoction is a classic medicinal dietary soup originating from Lingnan folk tradition, combining therapeutic and nutritional benefits. The main ingredients are black fish (Channa argus, also known as northern snakehead), black soybean (Glycine max), and licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), supplemented with small amounts of fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) and dried tangerine peel (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), slowly simmered over low heat. The soup appears clear with a slight brown tint, offering a fresh, savory taste with a sweet aftertaste, blending the flavor of fish with the aroma of soybeans. In regions such as Guangdong and Fujian, it is commonly consumed as a seasonal soup for resolving dampness in spring and for clear nourishment in summer.

This soup is highly regarded because it fully embodies the concept of “medicine and food homology.” Since ancient times, black fish (Channa argus) has been valued as an excellent remedy for tonifying the Spleen and promoting diuresis; it is listed as a top-grade herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica). Black soybean (Glycine max) is known as the “grain of the Kidney,” and when used medicinally, it can tonify the Kidney and strengthen the body. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) harmonizes the various ingredients, making the overall nature of the soup more balanced. The combination of these three components creates a mutually reinforcing synergy, resulting in a renowned medicinal diet recipe that is both delicious and nourishing.

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

The core effects of Black Fish and Black Soybean Licorice Decoction (Hei Yu Hei Dou Gan Cao Tang) can be summarized as “fortifying the spleen and draining water, supplementing the kidney and nourishing yin, clearing heat and resolving toxin.” Specifically, the synergistic action of black fish (Channa argus) and black soybean (Glycine max) can effectively improve conditions such as edema, difficult urination, and soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees due to Spleen and Kidney deficiency. The addition of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) enhances the actions of supplementing qi and fortifying the center, relaxing tension and relieving pain, and also provides auxiliary regulating effects for heat toxin patterns such as sore throat and skin sores and toxins.

From a modern nutritional perspective, black fish (Channa argus) is rich in high-quality protein, unsaturated fatty acids, and various trace elements; black soybeans (Glycine max) provide abundant plant protein, anthocyanins, and dietary fiber; licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) contains glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and immunomodulatory activities. Regular consumption of this soup helps enhance the body’s resistance, promotes the elimination of metabolic waste, and is highly beneficial for improving suboptimal health status.

The special value for the health of modern people

In today’s fast-paced life, many people experience signs of Spleen Deficiency with Dampness Accumulation and Kidney Qi Deficiency due to high stress and irregular routines—such as edema, fatigue, and a dull complexion. The Black Fish, Black Soybean, and Licorice Decoction (Glycine max, Glycyrrhiza uralensis) precisely addresses these ‘urban ailments.’ Through gentle dietary therapy, it helps restore the body’s yin-yang balance, making it an ideal choice for home recuperation.

Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Blackfish (Channa argus) is cold in nature, sweet in taste, and enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It excels in “tonifying the Spleen and promoting water metabolism, clearing Heat and extinguishing Wind.” According to *Bencao Qiushi* (Materia Medica for Seeking Truth), it “can treat Edema, Dampness Bi, and Leg Qi (beriberi),” and is suitable for conditions such as puffy swelling and scanty urination due to Spleen deficiency with water-dampness accumulation. Blackfish also tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Kidneys, benefiting cases of consumptive disease and emaciation, as well as dizziness and blurred vision caused by Liver Yang ascending.

Black soybean (Glycine max) has a neutral nature and sweet taste. It returns to the Spleen (SP) and Kidney (KI) meridians. Its main actions are to tonify the Kidney and nourish Yin, strengthen the Spleen and drain Dampness, and detoxify. The “tonify the Kidney” aspect is primarily manifested in strengthening bones and sinews, blackening hair, and boosting essence and filling marrow. The “drain Dampness” action can assist black fish (Channa argus) in enhancing its effect of dispelling Dampness-Turbidity pathogen from the body. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) has a neutral nature and sweet taste. It returns to the Heart (HT), Lung (LU), Spleen (SP), and Stomach (ST) meridians. Traditionally known as the “National Elder,” it can tonify the Spleen and boost Qi, clear Heat and detoxify, relieve spasm and pain, and harmonize the biases of black fish and black soybean, thereby making the medicinal nature of the entire formula more balanced and sustained.

The Profound Essence of Three-Herb Compatibility

The combined use of black fish (snakehead fish) and black soybean (Glycine max, black soybean), one cold and one neutral in nature, jointly achieves the effects of “tonifying the Kidney and fortifying the Spleen, promoting urination and reducing edema.” Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, licorice root) not only assists black soybean in fortifying the Spleen and boosting Qi but also moderates the cold nature of black fish, while simultaneously clearing and resolving sores and toxins. The combination of these three ingredients treats both the root and the branch—when the functions of the Spleen and Kidney are restored, water-dampness will transform naturally; when Qi and blood are sufficient, deficiency and impairment will self-recover.

Indications

① Spleen deficiency with edema: Manifested as morning eyelid puffiness, pitting edema of the lower limbs, scanty urination, poor appetite, and abdominal distension. This soup strengthens the Spleen and promotes diuresis, helping to expel excess dampness. ② Kidney yin deficiency: Commonly presenting with soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, premature graying of hair, and memory decline. The black fish (Channa argus) and black soybeans (Glycine max) work synergistically to tonify the Kidneys, nourishing Kidney essence. ③ Heat toxin accumulation: For conditions such as recurrent sore throat, oral ulcers, and skin furuncles or boils, the heat-clearing and detoxifying effect of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) aids in dispersing the toxins.

④ For those recovering from illness, postpartum, or post-surgery: This soup is rich in high-quality protein and various amino acids. It tonifies deficiency and damage, restores physical strength, and is mild in nature, easy to digest and absorb. ⑤ For those with chronic sleep deprivation or mental overwork: According to TCM, “the Kidney generates marrow, and the marrow connects to the brain.” This product tonifies the Kidney and boosts Essence, thereby alleviating symptoms of overexertion such as fatigue, lack of concentration, and lassitude due to Kidney Essence Depletion.

Contraindicated Populations

① Severe Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold: Manifested as cold epigastric and abdominal pain, loose stools, aversion to cold and cold extremities. Since snakehead fish (Channa argus) is cold in nature, even when paired with licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) and fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale), it may still aggravate Deficiency Cold. It is recommended to use with caution or to combine with more warming-center ingredients. ② Acute gout flare: Snakehead fish has a moderate purine content, while black soybean (Glycine max) has a high purine content. Patients with uncontrolled blood uric acid should avoid consumption to prevent triggering severe joint pain.

③ Individuals allergic to fish or legumes: This soup should be avoided. ④ Those currently taking certain medications: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) has corticosteroid-like effects; prolonged use in large doses may affect blood pressure and serum potassium. Concurrent use with diuretics, antihypertensives, or corticosteroids requires consultation with a physician. ⑤ Pregnant women and children: Moderate consumption is acceptable, but excessive intake should be avoided. It is recommended to adjust the proportions according to individual constitution under the guidance of a physician or dietitian.

Ingredient formula proportions

1 black fish (snakehead, *Channa argus*), approximately 400–500 g (net weight); 50 g black soybean (*Glycine max*); 6 g licorice root (*Glycyrrhiza uralensis*). Add 3 slices fresh ginger (*Zingiber officinale*, about 10 g), 1 segment dried tangerine peel (*Citrus reticulata*, about 3 g), and a pinch of salt (for seasoning). This is a single serving for 2–3 persons; adjust proportionally for actual number of people.

Among them, black soybeans should be selected for their large, plump seeds with a glossy black color; pre-soaking can shorten cooking time. Licorice root is best when sliced thin, with a yellowish-white cross-section and firm texture. The dosage should not be excessive, otherwise it may mask the freshness of the soup and potentially cause water and sodium retention. Fresh ginger and tangerine peel serve as adjuvants, both to remove fishy odors and enhance flavor, as well as to warm the middle and move qi, making the overall nature of the soup more harmonious.

Preparation Method

Step 1: Soak the black beans (Hei Dou) in clean water for 4–6 hours in advance, until the skins wrinkle and the beans swell; then set aside. Kill and scale the black fish (snakehead fish), remove the gills and internal organs, wash it clean, and pat dry. Make three diagonal cuts on each side of the fish (to allow flavor to penetrate), then use a paper towel to absorb any remaining surface moisture.

Step 2: Take an earthenware casserole or stainless steel pot, add enough clean water (about 2000 ml), and put in the black fish (Channa argus/snakehead fish), soaked black soybeans (Glycine max/black bean), licorice slices (Glycyrrhiza uralensis/licorice root), fresh ginger slices (Zingiber officinale/ginger), and tangerine peel (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium/tangerine peel). Bring to a boil over high heat, then skim off any foam. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover, and simmer gently for 90–120 minutes, until the fish bones become tender enough to crumble, the black beans are soft and sticky, and the soup turns milky white.

Third step: Add an appropriate amount of salt for seasoning 5 minutes before turning off the heat (since the soup has a natural sweetness from the aftertaste, use salt sparingly). Remove the fish bones, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Tangerine Peel), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Licorice Root) residue (the black soybeans and fish meat can be retained for consumption). Ladle the clear soup into bowls and serve. For a richer soybean aroma, extend the simmering time to over 2 hours.

Tips for Consumption

1. Drinking Timing: It is recommended to take it warm during the morning or midday when Yang Qi is more abundant, as the Spleen’s transport and transformation function is stronger during these times, which better facilitates nutrient absorption and Dampness expulsion. In the evening, especially before bedtime, excessive consumption should be avoided to prevent increased nocturia that may disrupt sleep. This may be taken 2–3 times per week, with a consecutive 2-week period constituting one regimen cycle.

2. Serving suggestion: When consuming, a small amount of pepper or warm-natured ingredients (such as Goji berries, *Lycium barbarum*, and red dates, *Ziziphus jujuba*) can be added to enhance flavor and balance the slightly cold nature of black fish. This soup is neutral in nature and can be served alongside rice or noodles as the main course soup.

3. Storage and Contraindications: If making a larger batch, the decoction should be separated from the fish meat and black beans, sealed and refrigerated (for no more than 2 days), and re-boiled before consumption. However, note that when reheating, avoid prolonged boiling to prevent nutrient loss. For those with unruptured sores on the body surface, the dosage of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Licorice) may be appropriately increased (up to 9 g) to enhance the detoxifying effect. For those with elevated blood pressure or pronounced edema, reduce the amount of salt used and monitor blood pressure changes.