Water Chestnut, Sugarcane and Carrot Water

Why people make this drink

Come spring, the body’s yang energy rises along with the warming weather — and in Cantonese food therapy, this is the season to drink gentle, heat-clearing broths as a daily wellness habit. This three-ingredient combination has been used for generations as a folk remedy for what traditional medicine calls “internal heat”: symptoms like red or irritated eyes, dry mouth and throat, scanty or dark-yellow urine, and difficulty passing stools. It is especially popular for children during the warmer months, and works equally well for adults. The beauty of this drink is its simplicity — the sweetness of the sugarcane and water chestnut means no added sugar is needed, and it tastes almost like a naturally sweet herbal tea.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for the whole family, including young children and the elderly.
• Suitable for pregnant women (water chestnuts are safe during pregnancy).
• Suitable to drink during a mild fever to help the body cool down.
• Those with a cold or damp constitution who already feel cold easily can drink this occasionally, but should not take it as a daily habit over a long period.
• Best consumed the same day; if you make a large batch, strain out the solids and store the broth — vegetable-based soups are best not left overnight with the ingredients submerged.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Water chestnuts (ma ti): A cooling, sweetening food that clears heat from the lungs and stomach; traditionally associated with supporting urination, clearing toxins associated with childhood rashes, and relieving thirst.
• Sugarcane stalk (zhu zhe): Naturally sweet and mildly cooling; clears heat, replenishes body fluids, and soothes the stomach. Bro Niu always recommends buying unpeeled stalks if possible.
• Carrot (hong luo bo): Rich in beta-carotene; in food therapy it is associated with clearing heat, supporting vision, and strengthening the spleen.

Ingredients (4–5 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Water chestnuts	10 pieces	Peel and slice
Sugarcane stalk	~300 g	Scrub clean, split open
Carrot	1 medium	Peel and slice
Water	7–8 bowls (~1.5 L)

Method

1. Peel the water chestnuts and slice them.
2. Scrub the sugarcane thoroughly on the outside; then split the stalk open lengthwise. Inspect the cut surface — if it looks red or has white cottony fibres inside, the cane has turned and should not be used.
3. Peel the carrot and slice it.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 7–8 bowls of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 1 hour until the liquid reduces to 4–5 bowls.
6. The whole family can drink this as a daily wellness beverage.

Bro Niu’s tips

• When buying sugarcane, try to find unpeeled stalks — they look rough on the outside but are perfectly fine once scrubbed clean. Scrub with a brush and rinse well before use. If the interior looks reddish or has white cottony strands, discard it.
• This drink is naturally sweet and gentle enough to be used as an everyday health beverage, not just during illness.
• A small amount of dried winter melon candy (tang dong gua) can be added for extra flavour.
• For children who have just had vaccinations, this drink can help clear internal heat and reduce post-vaccination discomfort.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Cindy): My 3.5-year-old granddaughter has had eczema since she was young. I read that people with eczema should not drink this water chestnut and sugarcane drink — is that true? Bro Niu: People with eczema can definitely drink this. In fact, adding 1 liang of raw coix seeds (sheng yi mi) to this drink gives it a dampness-resolving, water-metabolism-supporting quality. Those with eczema should avoid trigger foods such as bamboo shoots, shrimp and crab, goose meat, scaleless fish, mango, and pineapple — these are the foods more likely to provoke flare-ups.

• Q (Ada): Can someone who has vomiting and diarrhoea drink this? Bro Niu: Yes, this drink is fine to take. However, persistent vomiting and diarrhoea should be assessed by a doctor to rule out food poisoning or other causes. You can also cook a garlic and amaranth soup with lean pork to help fight intestinal bacteria.

• Q (Elaine): Children who have just had a flu vaccination — is this water also suitable? Bro Niu: For children after vaccination, Bro Niu slightly prefers a reed rhizome (lu gen), raw coix seed, and pear soup — it helps clear heat from the organs and reduces post-vaccination discomfort. But this water chestnut drink is also suitable; it helps clear internal heat.

---

---

Published March 31, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.