Tonic Drinks & Waters

Reed Root, Barley, Poria & Pear Water

traditionally used to clear heat, calm restlessness, and support urinary health

In short: Reed Root, Barley, Poria & Pear Water is a tonic drinks & water that traditionally used to clear heat, calm restlessness, and support urinary health. It is most often made for cooling & summer heat, children's wellness, kidney & urinary wellness. Total time about 55 min. Key ingredients: poria, asian pear.

Prep
10 min
Cook
45 min
Total
55 min
Makes
600 ml
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.

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

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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