Tonic Drinks & Waters
Lemongrass, Fresh Turmeric and Apple Water
Traditionally used to dispel wind-cold, resolve damp and ease joint aches
Why people make this water
The lemongrass at Southeast-Asian grocers is especially plump and fragrant, and the fresh turmeric especially good. This lemongrass is a wonderful cooking ingredient, and is traditionally said to ease body aches and support the body’s defenses. Simmered with fresh turmeric and apple, it makes a warming drink traditionally used to dispel wind-cold and resolve damp — a nice choice for indigestion and wind-damp aches, especially knee pain and discomfort from cold-damp.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with wind-damp joint aches (especially knees), cold limbs, or sluggish digestion, who want a warming, fragrant drink.
- This drink is warming and can run “heaty.” Those with yin-deficiency heat should avoid it.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lemongrass (xiang mao): Warming and aromatic, traditionally used to promote circulation, support metabolism and ease muscle tightness.
- Fresh turmeric (huang jiang): Traditionally used to dispel wind-cold and is associated with easing joint discomfort.
- Apple (ping guo): Sweet and gentle, traditionally said to support healthy vital energy and balance the warming herbs.
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lemongrass | 5 stalks | Rinsed, thinly sliced |
| Fresh turmeric | ~5 qian | Rinsed, thinly sliced |
| Apples | 2 | Skin on, cored, sliced |
| Rock sugar | to taste | Added at the end |
Method
- Rinse and thinly slice the lemongrass and turmeric; wash the apples (skin on), core and slice.
- Cook the lemongrass, turmeric and apple with 5 bowls of water for 20 minutes, reducing to 3 bowls.
- Add the rock sugar and stir until dissolved.
Bro Niu’s tips
This drink is fragrant and tasty, suitable for young and old. Because lemongrass is warming and traditionally said to promote circulation, it can help support metabolism, ease cold limbs and relax tight muscles, while turmeric is associated with easing joint discomfort — so it’s traditionally favored by those with wind-damp aches. But it runs warm, so those with yin-deficiency heat should not drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): I’m 70 — are sour foods bad for the sinews and bones? Bro Niu: The five flavors are in all foods and we should take them in reasonable balance. But during a sprain or injury, avoid very sour things — vinegar, hawthorn, plums, dark plums — as they can hinder sinew-and-bone recovery. If your stomach is weak, also go easy on very sour foods.
- Q (reader): Is the lemongrass-vine-cinnamon soup I saw online really good for shoulder-neck tension? Bro Niu: That soup does help ease shoulder-neck tightness, but I’ve made it and the taste is poor. I’d rather cook kudzu, adzuki bean, job’s tears, candied date and pork-rib soup — it also helps shoulder-neck aches and is tasty and wholesome for the whole family.
Published July 25, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
