Tonic Drinks & Waters
Apple, Ginger and Coriander Water
Traditionally used to warm the middle and settle a cold stomach
Why people make this water
Dining out with friends, Bro Niu noticed how many people order an ice-cold drink right after the meal — and how many dessert shops happily serve chilled drinks too. It has become so normal that we forget that constantly taking in cold and raw things can wear down the stomach’s warmth and leave it chilled. People with this “cold stomach” pattern often get stomach aches, a cold uncomfortable belly, nausea, loose stools or poor appetite. Today’s drink is simple — just apple, ginger and coriander — and is traditionally used to warm the middle and settle that kind of cold stomach.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those with a cold, weak stomach: stomach ache, cold belly, nausea, loose stools, poor appetite
- Also helpful at the very first sign of a cold; gentle and pleasant for young and old
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Coriander (yan sui): pungent and warm; traditionally used to open the appetite, aid digestion and gently promote sweating
- Ginger (sheng jiang): warms the stomach and dispels cold
- Apple (ping guo): generates fluids, quenches thirst and is traditionally associated with settling the stomach
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | 1 | Soaked in salt water, cored, chunked |
| Fresh ginger | 4–5 slices | |
| Coriander (with roots) | 3 stalks | Washed, cut into lengths |
Method
- Soak the apple in salt water briefly to clean off any surface residue, then core and chunk it. Wash the coriander (keep the roots) and cut into lengths. Slice the ginger.
- Simmer everything in 3.5 bowls of water for 10 minutes, reducing to 2 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Coriander contains volatile oils, so don’t over-boil it. This drink is fragrant and tasty, suitable for young and old, and also helpful at the first sign of a cold.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Annie): Sometimes after eating peanuts or edamame my belly gets bloated, with a little mild ache that eases after going to the toilet. Can I use this recipe, or is there something else? Bro Niu: The skins of peanuts and beans contain a substance that easily causes bloating, so it’s best to soak them in water for an hour and tip that water away before cooking. Adding a piece of dried tangerine peel, which regulates qi and resolves phlegm, will help reduce the bloating discomfort.
Published April 15, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
