Tonic Drinks & Waters
Lemongrass, Lemon & Job's Tears Drink
traditionally used to open the appetite, clear summer heat, drain dampness, support skin clarity, and boost antiviral resistance
Why people make this drink
On a sweltering summer day when nobody feels like eating and the air is heavy and humid, a glass of this lemongrass and lemon drink cuts through the torpor beautifully. The lemongrass brings an aromatic, herbal citrus note — you can smell the fragrance the moment you cut into a fresh stalk. The lemon provides brightness and a shot of vitamin C (especially needed in summer when sweating depletes it); and Job’s tears adds a mild, starchy body while quietly supporting the spleen and helping the body manage its fluid balance. Together they address what Chinese medicine recognises as the core challenge of humid summer weather: accumulated heat and dampness that sap the appetite and make the body feel heavy and sluggish.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for adults and children of all constitutions as a summer wellness drink.
- Particularly helpful for children with reduced urine output, dark or strong-smelling urine, or mild limb swelling.
- Good for those prone to acne or skin infections, and for anyone wanting to support skin tone (brightening, reducing spots).
- During cold and flu season, drinking this regularly is traditionally considered supportive for antiviral resistance.
- CAUTION: Pregnant women should omit the Job’s tears entirely — use only lemongrass and lemon.
- Can be served chilled; safe and pleasant for children.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lemongrass (xiang mao, Cymbopogon citratus): Also called “lemon grass” for its strong citrus fragrance. Traditionally associated with dispersing wind-cold, promoting circulation, relieving headaches, and fighting infection. Its antimicrobial and antiviral properties have been studied in modern research, supporting its use for skin infections, acne, and prevention of colds.
- Lemon (ning meng): Rich in vitamin C, which is lost rapidly through sweating in summer. Traditionally associated with regulating qi, stimulating the appetite, and brightening the complexion (reducing pigmentation spots).
- Job’s tears / coix seed (sheng yi mi): Supports the spleen and lungs; drains dampness; mild diuretic effect. Particularly suitable for children whose urine is scanty and dark in summer heat. Also associated with supporting skin clarity and weight management.
- Rock sugar: Adds gentle sweetness and complements the citrus flavours.
Ingredients (4–5 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lemongrass stalks | 6 stalks | Washed, sliced thin |
| Lemon | 1 medium | Washed, sliced into rounds |
| Raw Job’s tears (sheng yi mi) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Rock sugar (bing tang) | to taste | Added after cooking |
| Water | 6–7 bowls | ~1.2–1.4 litres |
Method
- Soak and rinse the Job’s tears.
- Wash the lemongrass stalks and slice thinly.
- Wash the lemon and slice into rounds (do not peel).
- In a pot, combine the Job’s tears and lemongrass with 6–7 bowls of water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 40 minutes.
- Add rock sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Turn off the heat. Add the fresh lemon slices. Cover and steep for 10 minutes before serving.
- Can be served warm or refrigerated and served cold.
Bro Niu’s tips
This drink is fragrant and delicious, suitable for all ages, and tastes equally good chilled. One important note: pregnant women should not use Job’s tears — they can drink a simpler version made with just the lemongrass and lemon.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Ying): If I cannot find lemongrass, what can I substitute? Bro Niu: You can use fresh mint leaves (xian bo he ye) as a substitute — they are available in supermarkets.
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Q (Wing): My 4-year-old’s appetite has been poor for the past week or two, eating only half of her food and feeling full, and often feels like she wants to vomit. What can I cook for her? Bro Niu: It is best to understand why her appetite has changed — has she eaten too much, or has cold food weakened her spleen and stomach? If it is food accumulation, try: Chinese hawthorn (shan zha) 9 g, dry-fried barley sprouts (chao mai ya) 15 g, white radish 1 piece, and dried duck gizzard (chen ya shen) 2 pieces, simmered for a soup. Take 3 batches. If it is spleen weakness, the most effective remedy is to finely mince some lean beef, soak it in a large bowl of cold water overnight, then steam the beef and its soaking water for 30 minutes the next day and give the liquid to the child — this is the most powerful spleen-building broth. Take 3 batches.
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Q (Ching): My 3-year-old daughter just caught Covid and has a cough. She is feeling better now but still testing positive. What should I make? Bro Niu: While she is still positive, you can simmer fresh heartleaf houttuynia (xian yu xing cao) 75 g and honey dates 2 pieces with lean pork for 20 minutes — this has an inhibiting effect on the virus. After she tests negative, switch to: Chinese yam (huai shan), poria (fu ling), lotus seeds (lian zi), lily bulb (bai he) — 15 g each — and 6 red dates, simmered with lean pork. The whole family can drink this. Take twice a week to help with lingering fatigue.
Published July 26, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
