Tonic Drinks & Waters
Apple, Hawthorn and Job's Tears Water
Traditionally used to help manage weight and support the liver
Why people make this water
Apples are good for the gut and the heart and circulation, and the skin holds far more antioxidants than the flesh, so Bro Niu keeps it on. Because the peel can carry pesticide residue and wax, he soaks and scrubs it with salt, or dunks it in hot water briefly to rinse off what shouldn’t be there. Simmered with Job’s tears and a little hawthorn, the drink is traditionally turned to for supporting the liver, gentle weight management and steadier blood sugar, and it can help with a dry, bitter mouth.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People wanting a light, refreshing drink to support weight management and the “three highs”; best taken after meals.
- Slightly tart — not recommended in pregnancy or for those with excess stomach acid.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Apple (with skin): traditionally valued for the gut and heart; the skin is rich in antioxidants.
- Hawthorn (shan zha): traditionally used to invigorate the blood and aid digestion of rich, fatty food.
- Job’s tears (yi mi): traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and drain damp.
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple (ping guo) | 2 | keep skin; deseed; cut |
| Hawthorn (shan zha) | 5 qian (~19 g) | |
| Job’s tears (yi mi) | 1 liang (~37 g) | raw, or half raw half roasted |
Method
- Wash and scrub the apples well; deseed and cut into chunks with the skin on.
- Rinse the hawthorn and Job’s tears separately.
- Combine everything with 7 bowls of water and simmer 20 minutes, reducing to 3 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Besides supporting weight management and the liver, this drink is traditionally thought to help heart and circulation. It is a little tart, so take it after meals. Pregnant women and those with excess stomach acid should avoid it. If you worry it’s too cooling, use half raw and half roasted Job’s tears.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Felicia): Can I leave out the hawthorn? Bro Niu: Hawthorn is associated with moving blood and dispersing stasis. Without it, apple and Job’s tears still strengthen the spleen and drain damp well, but the blood-moving effect is reduced.
- Q (anonymous): Raw or roasted Job’s tears? Bro Niu: Use raw Job’s tears; if you worry about it being too cooling, use half raw and half roasted together.
- Q (Yin): I’m 5 months pregnant with severe leg swelling — what can I drink for it? Bro Niu: For pregnancy swelling, simmer 1 liang adzuki bean, 1 liang corn silk and 1 liang winter-melon peel in 5 bowls of water down to 2 bowls, taken for 3 doses. If you can’t find fresh corn silk, use a whole corn cob with its silk attached. (Please keep working with your doctor too.)
Published April 23, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
