Tonic Drinks & Waters
Fresh Chinese Yam, Corn Silk and Job's Tears Water
Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen, drain dampness and ease water retention
Why people make this water
Corn silk is something Bro Niu has recommended before for supporting healthy blood sugar, and the good news is it is widely available at Chinese or Asian grocers and online. For households with someone watching their blood sugar, or anyone prone to puffiness, simmering corn silk into a daily water is an easy habit. To turn it into a soup the whole family can enjoy, pair it with fresh Chinese yam, carrot and Job’s tears — add a little dried tangerine peel to help move things along and a couple of honey dates to round out the flavour.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with a damp, sluggish spleen and stomach, those who feel tired and heavy, anyone prone to water retention, and households watching their blood sugar.
- Pregnant women should not use Job’s tears (yi mi); use red beans (chi xiao dou) instead.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh Chinese yam (huai shan): Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and support digestion.
- Corn silk (su mi xu): Long associated with promoting urination and supporting healthy blood sugar.
- Job’s tears (yi mi): Traditionally used to drain dampness and ease puffiness.
- Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Traditionally used to move qi and resolve phlegm; honey dates harmonise the flavour.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Chinese yam | ~150 g | peeled, cut into chunks |
| Fresh corn silk | ~75 g | rinsed |
| Carrot | 1 | peeled, cut into chunks |
| Job’s tears | ~38 g | soaked and rinsed |
| Dried tangerine peel | 1 piece | soaked and rinsed |
| Honey dates | 2 | rinsed |
Method
- Peel the fresh Chinese yam and cut into chunks; rinse the fresh corn silk; peel and chunk the carrot.
- Soak and rinse the Job’s tears and dried tangerine peel; rinse the honey dates.
- Place everything in a pot with 7 bowls of water.
- Cook for 40 minutes until reduced to 3–4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is clear and sweet, good for young and old. It is friendly for a damp spleen and stomach, tiredness, puffiness and those watching their blood sugar — but pregnant women should not use Job’s tears; swap in red beans instead.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Bu Yin): Bro Niu, can I use dried Chinese yam instead? Bro Niu: Dried Chinese yam can be used — about 1 tael.
Published August 12, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
