Tonic Drinks & Waters
Cogon Grass, Sugar Cane, Carrot and Coix Seed Water
traditionally supports clearing heat, relieving dampness and supporting the body's natural processes
In short: Cogon Grass, Sugar Cane, Carrot and Coix Seed Water is a tonic drinks & water that traditionally supports clearing heat, relieving dampness and supporting the body's natural processes. It is most often made for cleansing & regularity, cooling & summer heat, everyday balance. Total time about 70 min. Key ingredients: carrot, coix seeds / job's tears.
Why people make this drink
Spring and early summer are seasons when many people feel heavy, sluggish or notice damp-heat symptoms — that vague sense of being foggy-headed, skin that flares easily, or a body that just feels “stuck.” This lightly sweet herbal drink has been a household go-to in Cantonese food therapy for generations. The combination of cogon grass root, sugar cane, carrot and raw coix seeds works together in a time-honoured way: clearing lingering heat from the body while gently shifting dampness outward. It is pleasant to drink and mild enough for children, which is why families return to it again and again whenever the weather turns hot and humid.
What studies say about the key ingredients
Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.
- Job's tears (coix)
Myeloperoxidase activity rose significantly in the placebo group after 8 weeks but showed no significant change in the adlay tea group. Vascular endothelial function improved in the adlay group, especially in those over 40.Limitation: Participants were healthy adults and the outcomes were surrogate markers, so the results say little about clinical disease outcomes. Tea is a polyphenol-rich extract, not whole grain.PubMed 38945894 · 2 more job's tears (coix) studies
From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.
Safety first — read before you cook
This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
- take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
- have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.
Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes
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