Celery & Red Date Water

Why people make this drink

Spring is the season when, according to Chinese medicine, the liver’s energy naturally rises. That can be a good thing — but for those who already run hot, it can tip into irritability, red eyes, headaches, or restless nights. Celery has been used in both Eastern and Western traditions as a cooling, calming vegetable. What many people do not realise is that the leaves — often discarded — contain far more vitamin C and beta-carotene than the stems, and are particularly associated with blood-pressure support in traditional practice. Paired with pitted red dates, which nourish the spleen and calm the spirit, this simple drink is one Bro Niu reaches for whenever spring brings that familiar irritable, head-heavy feeling.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits those prone to liver heat rising in spring: irritability, red face, heavy-headed sensation, dizziness, or difficulty sleeping
• Also traditionally associated with managing high blood lipids and helping disperse blood stagnation
• 13-year-olds and older can drink this; 2–3 times a week is sufficient, no need for daily use
• Those with a cold, weak stomach constitution (spleen-stomach cold deficiency) should use with caution — the overall nature of the drink is slightly cooling

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Chinese celery with leaves (qin cai): The whole plant — especially the leaves — is rich in flavonoids and traditionally associated with clearing liver heat and supporting blood pressure. Chinese celery (fragrant celery) is preferred over Western celery for its stronger therapeutic character.
• Red dates (hong zao): Strengthen the spleen, harmonise qi and blood, and have a calming effect on the mind; help buffer the cooling nature of celery.

Ingredients (3–4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Chinese celery with leaves	4 stalks	Use stems AND leaves; trim roots, wash thoroughly
Red dates	10 pieces	Pit and slice before cooking
Water	5 bowls	~1 L

Method

1. Trim the celery roots. Wash the entire plant — stems and leaves — thoroughly under running water. Cut into segments.
2. Pit the red dates and cut them into slices.
3. Bring 5 bowls of water to a boil.
4. Add all ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Serve and drink the liquid; you can eat the dates as well.

Bro Niu’s tips

• Do not throw away the celery leaves — they hold the highest nutritional value of the whole plant, and their blood-pressure-supporting properties are especially notable.
• Use Chinese celery (fragrant/thin-stemmed variety) rather than Western celery for best results.
• For diabetics: replace the red dates with one ear of corn (with the silk attached) — corn silk is traditionally associated with helping manage blood sugar.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (JC): Can this be drunk daily? Can my 13-year-old son drink it? Bro Niu: Your son can drink it. No need to drink it every day — 2–3 times a week is enough.

• Q (QQ): Is this the inner stalks of Western celery including the leaves? Bro Niu: Chinese fragrant celery has better therapeutic properties than Western celery — please use Chinese celery.

• Q (anonymous): My husband has diabetes — can he drink this? What can replace the red dates? Bro Niu: You can use one ear of corn instead, and keep the corn silk attached — it traditionally helps lower blood sugar.

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Published February 25, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.