Carrot, Water Chestnut and Ophiopogon Drink

Why people make this drink

One of the most frustrating experiences for parents is the cough that lingers for weeks after a cold has otherwise cleared. In traditional Cantonese food therapy, this is often understood as residual lung heat — the infection has gone, but the lungs remain dry and irritated. Many herbal remedies work for this, but they can taste unpleasant to young children. This three-ingredient drink solves that problem: carrot and water chestnuts are both mild and naturally sweet, and together with a small amount of ophiopogon root they produce a drink that genuinely tastes pleasant enough for children to enjoy. It clears gently rather than harshly, and the whole pot takes under an hour to prepare.

Water chestnuts, beyond their culinary role, are also traditionally used topically in TCM — fresh water chestnut pulp rubbed on the face is said to help with winkles and blemishes, and rubbing on warts may help soften them.

Method

1. Peel the carrot and slice into rounds.
2. Peel the water chestnuts and rinse.
3. Rinse the ophiopogon root and soak for 5–10 minutes, then drain.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer for 45 minutes.
6. Serve warm or at room temperature. Suitable for children and adults alike.

Nourilo’s Tips

This drink is one of those kitchen staples that requires almost no effort but delivers a noticeably soothing effect. The natural sweetness of carrot and water chestnuts means you rarely need to add sugar. Fresh water chestnut juice applied directly to the face (rub the peeled water chestnut on the skin) is also said to help smooth fine lines and may help soften warts or blemishes — an old Cantonese grandmother tip worth knowing. To upgrade this into a full family soup, add lean pork, apricot kernels, and dried figs and simmer for an extra 15 minutes.