Tonic Drinks & Waters
Carrot, Water Chestnut and Ophiopogon Drink
traditionally used to clear lung heat, moisten dryness, and soothe cough in children
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.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for children and adults with lung-heat cough — typically characterized by dry or slightly yellow phlegm, thirst, or a flushed feeling.
- The whole family can drink this. Older adults, pregnant women, and those who are convalescing can all enjoy it.
- If there is active fever, see a doctor first.
- To make it a more substantial everyday soup for all ages, add lean pork, sweet and bitter apricot kernels (1 liang), and dried figs (4 pieces) and cook together.
- Ophiopogon is gently cooling — avoid during active cold with fever.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Carrot (hong luo bo): Rich in beta-carotene and natural sugars; traditionally considered to support lung qi and vision, and to gently move phlegm.
- Water chestnuts (ma ti): Clear heat, generate fluids, open the voice, and dissolve phlegm. Particularly effective for throat irritation and lung-heat cough.
- Ophiopogon root (mai dong): A gentle yin-nourishing herb for the lungs and stomach; helps moisten the airways and ease dry cough. Only a tablespoon is needed here, keeping the flavour mild.
Ingredients (2–3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrot | 1 medium | Peel and slice |
| Water chestnuts | 6 pieces | Peel and rinse |
| Ophiopogon root (mai dong) | 1 tablespoon (~10 g) | Soak and rinse; from herb shop |
Method
- Peel the carrot and slice into rounds.
- Peel the water chestnuts and rinse.
- Rinse the ophiopogon root and soak for 5–10 minutes, then drain.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer for 45 minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Suitable for children and adults alike.
Bro Niu’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.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Iris, 2017): My 2-year-old started coughing after a weather change. He’s dry coughing at night with no runny nose. Is there a suitable soup? Bro Niu: You can make a soup with ophiopogon, Solomon’s seal (yu zhu), and coastal glehnia root (sha shen) 3 qian each, plus snow fungus 2 qian, lily bulb 1 liang, sweet and bitter apricot kernels 1 liang, and red dates 6 pieces, simmered with pork rib bones. The whole family can drink it — it moistens the lungs and stops cough.
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Q (Yubi, 2016): My 2.5-year-old has thick yellow mucus, occasional cough, hoarse voice, poor sleep and poor appetite. Is this drink suitable? Bro Niu: Yes, children can drink this. Making sure they drink more water and sleep well will also help them recover faster.
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Q (reader, 2019): Can a 7-year-old with a slightly sore throat drink this? Or would a luo han guo and pear drink be better? Bro Niu: Both are suitable for a slightly sore throat. Luo han guo with pear is also excellent.
Published November 1, 2014 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
