Reed Root, Barley, Poria & Pear Water

Why people make this drink

When the weather turns warm and humid, some children (and adults) become noticeably irritable, lose their appetite, or feel generally flat and unwell — without having any specific illness. In traditional Chinese food therapy, this pattern is often associated with internal dampness and heat building up in the body. This mild, pleasantly sweet drink has long been used as a household remedy to help clear that lingering heat and restore a sense of calm and vitality. It is also traditionally given to infants before and after routine vaccinations to help support comfort during that period.

Method

1. Rinse the reed root, Job’s tears, and poria; soak briefly in cold water then drain.
2. Wash the pear well (keep the skin on for extra nutrition); remove the core and cut into chunks.
3. Combine all ingredients with 1.5 L of water in a pot.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes until reduced to about 600 ml.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nourilo’s Tips

This drink is mild enough for infants and can be used as a base drink (similar to an “opening-milk tea”) for nursing babies. It is especially useful during warm, humid seasons. If you need to use dried pear instead of fresh, be sure to remove the seeds before cooking — the seeds carry mild toxicity. Around vaccination time, 2–3 bowls in the days leading up to the appointment and one serving on the day itself may help reduce post-injection discomfort such as mild fever and irritability.