Sugarcane & Water Chestnut Drink (Bamboo Cane & Water Chestnut Water)

Main Ingredients

• Fresh sugarcane 400-500g
• Water chestnuts 10-12 pieces
• Water 1500-2000ml
• Fresh ginger 1-2 slices
• Rock sugar a little
• Pear 1 piece
• Fresh Bai Mao Gen (Imperata root) 50-100g
• Carrot 1 piece

Steps

1. Select sugarcane: Choose fresh sugarcane with thick nodes, hard texture, white cross-section, and a sweet clean aroma. Carefully check the cross-section; if there is red heart, black heart, mold spots, sour taste, or alcoholic smell, discard immediately. Prep sugarcane: Peel 400-500g of sugarcane, cut into 3cm sections, then split each section into 4 pieces to release active compounds. Prep water chestnuts: Wash 10-12 water chestnuts, peel off the skin, and cut in half. Note: Water chestnuts grow in mud and must be thoroughly washed and peeled.

   

2. Select sugarcane: Choose fresh sugarcane with thick nodes, hard texture, white cross-section, and a sweet clean aroma. Carefully check the cross-section; if there is red heart, black heart, mold spots, sour taste, or alcoholic smell, discard immediately. Prep sugarcane: Peel 400-500g of sugarcane, cut into 3cm sections, then split each section into 4 pieces to release active compounds. Prep water chestnuts: Wash 10-12 water chestnuts, peel off the skin, and cut in half. Note: Water chestnuts grow in mud and must be thoroughly washed and peeled.

   

3. The liquid is naturally sweet, so no sugar is generally needed. Add a little rock sugar if desired. Turn off the heat, strain out the solids, and collect the liquid. Drink warm, or at room temperature. 1-2 times daily, 200-250ml per serving. Healthy individuals should drink 2-3 times per week.

   

TCM Notes

Sugarcane: Each 100g contains approximately 15-20g carbohydrates, about 84% water, 0.6g dietary fiber, and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium, as well as various amino acids. Known for clearing heat, generating fluids, moistening dryness, harmonizing the middle, and detoxifying. Sugarcane juice is known as the “natural pulse-restoring decoction,” suitable for fever with fluid depletion and dry mouth. Water Chestnuts (Biqi): Each 100g contains approximately 60-70 kcal, about 84% water, 14g carbohydrates, 1.2g protein, and 1.1g dietary fiber. Rich in vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus, and other minerals. Known for clearing heat, generating fluids, resolving phlegm, aiding digestion, promoting diuresis, and relieving constipation. The compound biqin in water chestnuts inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and other bacteria. Note: Water chestnuts are cold in nature, and raw water chestnuts may carry Fasciolopsis buski metacercariae. Raw consumption is not recommended; cooking before eating is safer. Synergistic Effect: Sugarcane clears heat, generates fluids, moistens dryness, and harmonizes the middle; water chestnuts clear heat, generate fluids, resolve phlegm, and aid digestion. One clears, one moistens, one digests—clearing heat without harming the body, moistening the lungs without stagnating phlegm, generating fluids without being cloying, and aiding digestion without harming the stomach. Total approx. 150-250 kcal (without rock sugar)—a low-fat, heat-clearing, fluid-generating natural drink.

Suitable for：Those with summer heat, thirst, and excessive sweating with fluid loss Those with dry mouth and throat during dry autumn and winter Those with lung-heat cough, dry cough with little phlegm, and yellow thick phlegm Those with scanty dark urine and dry hard stools Those who stay up late, have internal heat, consume excessive alcohol and tobacco, with dry lips and throat Those with food stagnation, abdominal bloating, indigestion, and poor appetite General population for summer heat relief and autumn-winter dryness relief

Not suitable for：Diabetes patients – use with caution or avoid. Both sugarcane and water chestnuts are relatively high in sugar, which dissolves into the water during boiling. Those with poorly controlled blood glucose should be cautious; best without rock sugar or honey. Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency or prone to diarrhea – use with caution. Sugarcane is cold and water chestnuts are cold; those with cold intolerance, diarrhea, or abdominal cold pain may worsen symptoms. Boil and drink warm, or add 1-2 slices of ginger to balance the cold nature. Those with wind-cold cough – avoid. Symptoms include white thin phlegm, chills, clear runny nose, itchy throat, and worsening with cold. This drink is cooling and may worsen cold cough. Women during menstruation – use with caution. Sugarcane and water chestnuts are both cooling; excessive intake may worsen menstrual pain or impede menstrual flow. Pregnant women – use with caution. Cooling in nature; avoid large amounts and consult a doctor. Those with renal insufficiency – use with caution. Sugarcane and water chestnuts are relatively high in potassium; control intake under medical guidance. Infants under 1 year old – absolutely no honey – if honey is added for flavor, it is forbidden for infants under 1 year; honey may contain Clostridium botulinum spores and may cause infant botulism. Moldy sugarcane – absolutely forbidden – If sugarcane shows red heart, black heart, moldy odor, sour taste, or alcoholic smell, it may contain Arthrinium fungal toxin (3-nitropropionic acid), which mainly damages the central nervous system and can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Never use it. Those allergic to sugarcane, water chestnuts, or honey – avoid.