Tonic Drinks & Waters
Cogon Grass, Sugar Cane, Carrot and Coix Seed Water
traditionally supports clearing heat, relieving dampness and detoxifying
Why people make this drink
Spring and early summer are seasons when many people feel heavy, sluggish or notice damp-heat symptoms — that vague sense of being foggy-headed, skin that flares easily, or a body that just feels “stuck.” This lightly sweet herbal drink has been a household go-to in Cantonese food therapy for generations. The combination of cogon grass root, sugar cane, carrot and raw coix seeds works together in a time-honoured way: clearing lingering heat from the body while gently shifting dampness outward. It is pleasant to drink and mild enough for children, which is why families return to it again and again whenever the weather turns hot and humid.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults and children as a regular warm-weather drink; pleasant and naturally sweet
- Those prone to damp-heat conditions — mild skin breakouts, concentrated urine, or general heaviness — may find it particularly helpful
- Pregnant women should omit the raw coix seeds (sheng yi mi); replace with 6 water chestnuts (ma ti) for a similarly refreshing result
- Those with a very cold constitution should drink in moderation and avoid chilling the drink
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cogon grass root (mao gen): In traditional Chinese food therapy, this root is associated with cooling the blood, clearing heat and mildly promoting urination — making it a key ingredient for flushing out accumulated heat
- Sugar cane (zhu zhe): Said to harmonise the stomach, moisten the intestines and help resolve phlegm-fluid; it also provides the drink’s natural sweetness without refined sugar
- Carrot (hong luo bo): Traditionally considered helpful for cooling the blood and supporting digestion; adds body and mild sweetness to the broth
- Raw coix seeds (sheng yi mi): Well-known in Cantonese cooking for draining dampness and supporting the spleen; the “raw” (untoasted) form is considered more effective for clearing heat and moving water
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cogon grass root (mao gen) | 1 bundle | Rinse well; available at Chinese herb shops |
| Sugar cane (zhu zhe) | 4 sections | Split lengthwise for better flavour extraction |
| Carrot | 1 medium | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Raw coix seeds (sheng yi mi) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinse and soak 30 min before cooking |
| Water | 7 bowls (about 1.75 L) |
Method
- Rinse the cogon grass root thoroughly and cut into shorter sections.
- Split the sugar cane sections lengthwise down the middle.
- Peel the carrot and cut into rough chunks.
- Rinse and soak the raw coix seeds for about 30 minutes, then drain.
- Place all ingredients into a pot with 7 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 1 hour until reduced to approximately 4 bowls.
- Serve warm. The drink can be drunk freely throughout the day.
Bro Niu’s tips
This drink has a pleasant natural sweetness — children generally enjoy it without any added sugar. It works well as an everyday warm-weather wellness drink. If you are pregnant, simply leave out the coix seeds and add 6 water chestnuts instead; the result is equally refreshing and safe. If you want to use this for general heat-clearing rather than dampness relief, you can omit the coix seeds for everyone.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): My 8-year-old son complained of pain when urinating in the evening. Could this be damp-heat? Would this drink help? Bro Niu: It does sound like a possible damp-heat symptom. You can try making this drink for him — aim for three consecutive servings. If there is no improvement after that, please take him to see a doctor to check whether there is an infection.
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Q (reader): Does this drink help with blood spots on the skin? Bro Niu: Blood spots on the skin are a surface symptom. I do not have a food-therapy recommendation for that particular condition — please consult a doctor.
Published April 10, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
