Reed Rhizome, Job's Tears and Pear Water

Why people make this water

From birth through their early school years, little ones get a lot of vaccinations, and sometimes several are combined into one shot. Children who are a bit delicate, or who tend to carry “internal heat,” can feel feverish and out of sorts afterward. Bro Niu’s gentle idea here is simple comfort: start a cooling drink a day or two before the appointment to help take the edge off. This reed rhizome, Job’s tears and snow pear water is mild and balanced, traditionally said to clear heat, drain dampness, and moisten the lungs while encouraging the body’s own fluids.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Children who tend to run warm, or who feel feverish, dry-throated or thirsty
• Best avoided during pregnancy because of the Job’s tears; if a child’s fever is high or lasts more than a day or two, please see a doctor

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Reed rhizome (lu gen): traditionally clears heat and promotes the body’s fluids, easing thirst and a dry throat
• Job’s tears (yi mi): traditionally drains dampness and gently strengthens the spleen
• Snow pear (xue li): moistens the lungs and is associated with relieving dryness; gives the drink its naturally sweet taste
• Rock sugar (bing tang): moistens and makes the drink pleasant for children

Ingredients (2 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Reed rhizome (lu gen)	5 qian (~19 g)	Rinse and soak
Raw Job’s tears (sheng yi mi)	5 qian (~19 g)	Rinse and soak
Snow pears (xue li)	2	Cored, cut into chunks
Rock sugar (bing tang)	to taste	Added at the end

Method

1. Rinse and soak the reed rhizome and Job’s tears.
2. Core the pears and cut into chunks.
3. Put all ingredients into a pot with 5 bowls of water and simmer down to about 2 bowls.
4. Stir in rock sugar until dissolved, and it is ready.

Bro Niu’s tips

This drink is sweet and tasty, so children rarely refuse it. You can start two days before a vaccination and give it for about three days in a row.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Jo): My child has cold hands and feet and is 11 this year. Can she drink this before her shot? Would sugarcane-and-imperatae water suit her too? Bro Niu: The soup in the picture is fine for children before a vaccination. Imperatae root and sugarcane simmered with carrot is also good. For cold hands and feet, encourage more exercise, a balanced diet, and fewer iced cold drinks.

• Q (m): How much dried pear should I use, and can my child drink it the same day as the shot? Not if there’s a fever? Bro Niu: About 6 to 8 slices of dried pear is enough. You can drink it after the shot, and it can even help bring a fever down.

• Q (Mia): Can I leave out the rock sugar and add honey when serving instead? Bro Niu: Yes, you can skip the sugar entirely — no problem — or let it cool a little and stir in a touch of honey when serving.

---

Published July 15, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.