Tonic Drinks & Waters
Cogongrass Root Sugarcane Water Chestnut Corn Water
Traditionally clears body heat, encourages fluid drainage, and supports urinary tract comfort
Why people make this drink
This is one of those Cantonese “cooling drinks” (liang cha) that families make instinctively on hot days or when someone in the household is not drinking enough water. When children’s urine turns deep yellow or orange — a sign they are not hydrated enough — or when adults feel that vague urgency and discomfort that suggests the bladder is inflamed and overheated, this four-ingredient brew is the classic household remedy.
What makes it stand out from plain lemonade or water is the combination: cogongrass root (bai mao gen) has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries as a diuretic and heat-clearing herb; sugarcane and water chestnut provide gentle sweetness and add their own cooling quality; and the corn, including its silk (which is actually a well-known traditional diuretic in its own right), ties everything together. The result is a genuinely pleasant drink that tastes like a natural sugar-cane juice.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for the whole family, including infants old enough to have liquids other than milk
- Particularly good for children who are not drinking enough water and have concentrated dark yellow urine
- Adults with mild urinary tract discomfort, cystitis tendency, or kidney inflammation
- Those with rashes or hives can add a carrot to the pot for added benefit
- Anyone with a confirmed urinary tract infection should see a doctor — this drink is a helpful complement, not a treatment on its own
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cogongrass root (bai mao gen): One of the most widely used cooling-diuretic herbs in Cantonese food therapy; traditionally used to clear heat from the blood, ease urinary tract inflammation, and stop mild bleeding; gentle enough for children
- Sugarcane (zhu zhe): Cooling and moistening; replenishes fluids; adds natural sweetness without being harsh; complements cogongrass root
- Water chestnuts (ma ti): Cool in nature; traditionally used to clear heat, support the stomach, and reduce internal dryness; add a pleasant crunch and sweetness to the broth
- Corn with silk (su mi lian xu): The corn kernels support the spleen and appetite; the corn silk (xu) is a classic diuretic in both Chinese and Western herbal traditions — it encourages gentle fluid drainage and eases urinary discomfort
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh cogongrass root (bai mao gen) | 1 bunch | Available at Asian vegetable markets; rinse well |
| Sugarcane sections (zhu zhe) | 3–4 sections | Split in half lengthways before adding to pot |
| Water chestnuts (ma ti) | 8 | Peel before use |
| Corn on the cob with silk | 1–2 cobs | Remove husk but keep the silk; cut into sections |
Method
- Rinse the cogongrass root thoroughly.
- Split the sugarcane sections in half lengthways.
- Peel the water chestnuts and rinse.
- Remove the corn husks; keep the silk attached. Cut the cobs into sections.
- Combine all ingredients with 8 bowls (~2 litres) of water in a pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour until reduced to 4–5 bowls.
- Drink the liquid; the water chestnuts can also be eaten.
Bro Niu’s tips
Any variety of corn works in this recipe — white sweet corn or regular yellow corn. If the corn silk has been removed before you buy it, the soup still works well; the silk is a bonus. For children with concentrated urine, this drink is far more appealing than plain water. For adults with mild urinary tract irritation, three to four consecutive portions over a few days is a typical course. If symptoms do not improve or worsen — especially in children — please see a doctor, as urinary tract infections can progress to kidney infection if untreated.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Emily): My 10-year-old son has had a frequent urge to urinate for two weeks — the feeling of needing to go but not much coming out. Is this drink suitable for him? Bro Niu: Yes, try this drink, but I would also suggest a complementary tea: fresh cogongrass root (1 bunch), fresh corn silk (2 liang), winter melon skin (dong gua pi, 1 liang), and two honey dates — simmer in 5 bowls of water to 2 bowls and drink in doses. Three consecutive days. If the problem persists, please see a doctor — in boys this age we sometimes need to check the urinary tract properly.
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Q (Vicky): My 2-year-old daughter has a mild urinary tract infection with frequent urination — can she have this drink instead of antibiotics? Bro Niu: This drink can help support urinary tract comfort, but I strongly recommend seeing a doctor for a young child with a confirmed infection. Untreated urinary tract infections in toddlers can progress to kidney inflammation, so proper medical treatment is important. This drink can be used alongside treatment.
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Q (reader): Can this drink be given to a baby who has a rash? Bro Niu: Yes, it is fine to drink if there is a rash. For hives (urticaria), adding one carrot to the pot provides additional benefit.
Published March 3, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
