Tonic Drinks & Waters

Lemon and Job's Tears Barley Water

Traditionally used to support the body's defences against colds

In short: Lemon and Job's Tears Barley Water is a tonic drinks & water that Traditionally used to support the body's defences against colds. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, immune support, everyday balance. Total time about 45 min. Key ingredients: lemon, rock sugar.

Prep
5 min
Cook
40 min
Total
45 min
Makes
1 pot
Lemon and Job's Tears Barley Water

Why people make this drink

On public transport you hear plenty of coughing and sniffling, so Nourilo always masks up. With lots of colds going round — especially among children and older folk — it’s a good time to lean on gentle teas and soups that support the body’s defences. Children dislike taking medicine, but lemon barley water tastes good with no herbal flavour, so they won’t refuse it. Lemon is rich in vitamin C (protected by its own citric acid, so even hot water won’t destroy it) and is traditionally enjoyed to lift appetite, support digestion and ease the discomfort of colds and a stuffy nose.

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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