Winter melon, Job's tears and imperata root drink
Skin-on winter melon simmered with Job's tears and imperata root into a light, gently sweet drink that clears heat and damp while the 'autumn tiger' keeps things hot and muggy.
- 1 hr 10 min
- Serves 4
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: The 'autumn tiger' is still fierce at End of Heat, and a Damp-Heat constitution easily gets a bitter taste and bad breath, scanty dark urine and oily, spot-prone skin. Skin-on winter melon drains water and clears heat, Job's tears strengthen the spleen and leach out damp, and imperata root clears heat and promotes urination, flushing damp heat out through the urine.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 60 min- 1Rinse and soak the Job's tears for 1 hour. Rinse the imperata root, and cut the melon into large chunks with the skin and seeds on.
- 2Put everything in a pot with the water, bring to the boil, then simmer for 50 minutes.
- 3Strain and drink warm or at room temperature; the melon and Job's tears can be eaten too.
Cautions
- Job's tears and imperata root are cooling: avoid them during pregnancy or your period, or if your digestion runs cold.
Chef's tips
- Dried imperata root is sold at Chinese herbalists; if you find fresh root at the market, double the amount.
The TCM view
Winter melon is sweet, bland and slightly cold, clearing heat and draining water; its skin is especially diuretic. Job's tears are sweet, bland and cool, strengthening the spleen, leaching out damp and clearing heat; imperata root is sweet and cold, clearing heat, promoting urination and cooling the blood, and a candied date harmonises the mix. Together they clear damp heat without harming the spleen.
