Tonic Drinks & Waters

Fresh Chinese Yam, Corn Silk and Job's Tears Water

Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen, drain dampness and ease water retention

In short: Fresh Chinese Yam, Corn Silk and Job's Tears Water is a tonic drinks & water that Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen, drain dampness and ease water retention. It is most often made for digestive wellness, cooling & summer heat, blood sugar balance. Total time about 55 min. Key ingredients: chinese yam, corn silk, carrot, job's tears / chinese pearl barley.

Prep
15 min
Cook
40 min
Total
55 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
Fresh Chinese Yam, Corn Silk and Job's Tears Water

Why people make this water

Corn silk is something Nourilo has recommended before for supporting healthy blood sugar, and the good news is it is widely available at Chinese or Asian grocers and online. For households with someone watching their blood sugar, or anyone prone to puffiness, simmering corn silk into a daily water is an easy habit. To turn it into a soup the whole family can enjoy, pair it with fresh Chinese yam, carrot and Job’s tears — add a little dried tangerine peel to help move things along and a couple of honey dates to round out the flavour.

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) · Randomized controlled trial · 2024
    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
  • Tangerine peel · Randomized controlled trial, 72 participants · 2025
    The tangerine peel drink group showed significant reductions in body weight and triglycerides after the intervention compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Safety markers showed no adverse effects. Gut microbiota and serum metabolite profiles also differed.Limitation: Small pilot trial with only 55 of 72 participants completing. The fermented product is not the same as plain tangerine peel, and the control group is not described.PubMed 40225325

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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