Cogon Grass, Sugar Cane, Carrot and Coix Seed Water

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.