Hawthorn Berry and Carrot Drink

Why people make this drink

In traditional Chinese medicine, a “blood-stasis constitution” describes a pattern familiar to many people who have never heard the term: a dull, dark complexion; easy bruising; a tendency to feel congested, stuck, or achy in ways that do not have a clear Western diagnosis; lips that tend toward purple; and veins that are visible under the tongue. It is often the result of years of emotional suppression, sedentary life, or long exposure to cold. Hawthorn berries are one of the most widely used foods in Chinese folk medicine for exactly this pattern — tart, aromatic, and traditionally regarded as powerful movers of stagnant blood and qi. Combined with carrot, this becomes an easy daily drink that most people will simply enjoy.