Lemon and Job's Tears Water

Why people make this water

Bro Niu here. Children have a fast metabolism and, as a result, run warm easily. When a child’s urine is scanty, doesn’t flow freely, or has a strong smell, it can simply be that fast-paced “growing heat” — but it can also be an early sign of something to watch. A simple Job’s tears water sipped in place of plain water is traditionally used to help urine flow more freely, and adding a vitamin-C-rich lemon makes it more refreshing for hot days.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Children (and adults) with scanty, concentrated urine in hot weather
• Traditionally said to also help those with a weak spleen and puffy feet
• Job’s tears is traditionally avoided in pregnancy
• If a child’s symptoms persist or worsen, please see a doctor

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Job’s tears (yi mi): Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen, clear heat, dispel damp and ease swelling.
• Lemon (ning meng): Rich in vitamin C; adds a refreshing tartness.

Ingredients (about 1.5 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Lemon	1	Sliced
Raw Job’s tears	~40 g	Soaked in water 1 hour
Rock sugar	To taste

Method

1. Slice the lemon. Soak the raw Job’s tears in water for 1 hour.
2. First cook the Job’s tears in 3 bowls of water for about 45 minutes.
3. Add the lemon slices, stir in rock sugar until dissolved, and serve.
4. A more refined version: rinse the lemon, grate off the outer yellow zest and set aside, juice the flesh, and discard the white pith. Soak the Job’s tears 1 hour, cook in 3 bowls of water about 45 minutes down to 1.5 bowls, then add rock sugar, the lemon zest and juice, cook briefly and serve.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea suits both adults and children and is traditionally associated with supporting the spleen and lungs, clearing heat, dispelling damp and easing swelling. It is also said to help those with a weak spleen and puffy feet. Because Job’s tears is quite diuretic, those with frequent night urination or a cold constitution should not over-drink it.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (reader): My child has a cough — can they drink this? Bro Niu: For a cough, you can add one chopped preserved kumquat (jie bing) while cooking.
• Q (Bo Bo): Can a woman 9 months pregnant drink raw and roasted Job’s tears water for leg swelling? Bro Niu: Because the root of Job’s tears was used as an abortifacient in ancient times, even though it is a seed, pregnant women should not use it. For late-pregnancy swelling you can simmer adzuki bean, hyacinth bean and winter melon skin (~40 g each) in water as a tea, 3 doses, which is traditionally used to help.
• Q (reader): Can I use honey instead of rock sugar? Does it work as well? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use honey instead of rock sugar — but children under about a year and a half should not be given honey.

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Published June 25, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.