Five-Juice Lung-Moistening Drink (Traditional Formula, Modern Preparation)  五汁润肺饮（古⽅新制） 

《Professional Interpretation & Dietary Applications of Water Chestnut》

1. Nature, Taste, and Meridians

Nature & Taste: Sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature. 
Meridians Entered: Primarily enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. 

Professional Interpretation: 

Water chestnut has a sweet taste that nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin, and promotes the generation of body fluids to relieve thirst. Its slightly cooling nature enables it to clear heat, transform phlegm, cool the Blood, and detoxify the body. By entering the Lung meridian, it clears Lung heat and transforms phlegm; by entering the Stomach meridian, it generates fluids, benefits the Stomach, aids digestion, and alleviates food stagnation and abdominal bloating; through the Large Intestine meridian, it moistens the intestines, promotes bowel movements, and cools the Blood to stop bleeding. Due to its cooling tendency and crisp, juicy texture, water chestnut is traditionally known as the “the snow pear beneath the soil.” It is especially effective in clearing heat from the upper and middle burners. 

2. Core Concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Underlying Core Mechanism and the Origin of Its Reputation as a “Cooling & Moistening Fruit”. In TCM, the Lung is considered a delicate organ that prefers moisture and dislikes dryness, while the Stomach, classified as Yang Earth, likewise prefers moisture and dislike dryness. When pathogenic heat or dryness invades the body, it readily damages the fluids of the Lung and Stomach, leading to symptoms such as dry cough, thirst, and constipation. 

• Sweet and cooling to generate fluids:

  Its sweet taste nourishes and supplements, while its cooling nature clears heat. Being rich in natural juices, water chestnut can directly replenish depleted body fluids, clearing heat without damaging Yin, and moistening dryness without causing cloying stagnation. 

• Transforming phlegm and resolving food stagnation:  

  Its slightly cold nature helps transform heat-phlegm in the Lung. In addition, its high-water content and dietary fibre promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, aiding digestion and relieving food stagnation.  
• Cooling the Blood and detoxifying:  
  For conditions involving heat in the Blood level—such as sore throat or red eyes, it provides an auxiliary effect of clearing heat, cooling the Blood, and relieving toxicity.  

Through this integration action of “clearing, moistening, and promoting free flow”, water chestnut is regarded as an excellent dietary therapy for clearing heat, generating fluids, relieving dryness, and promoting bowel movements.  

3. Supporting Evidence from Modern Nutritional Science 

Modern research has shown that the traditional functions of water chestnut are supported by identifiable nutritional and bioactive components: 

• High water content and natural sugars:

  Water chestnut contains over 80% water and naturally occurring sugars such as glucose and fructose, which help rapidly replenish body fluids and provide readily available energy. This aligns closely with its traditional TCM function of generating fluids and relieving thirst. 

• Puerarin:  

  A distinctive bioactive compound with antibacterial properties. Studies indicate inhibitory effects against microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, offering a modern scientific basis for its traditional role in “clearing heat and detoxifying.” 

• Dietary fibre:  

  Rich in dietary fibre, which promotes intestinal peristalsis, helps prevent constipation, and facilitate the elimination of intestinal waste. This reflect its traditional TCM function of “resolving food stagnation and promoting bowel movement.” 

• Phosphorus:  

  Water chestnut contains relatively high levels of phosphorus, an essential mineral for growth and development and the maintenance of normal physiological functions. It supports the health of bones, teeth, and the nervous system. 

• Low caloric value:  

  Due to its high water and fibre content, water chestnut is low in calories, making it a suitable choice for a healthy diet. 

Note: 

Bioactive compounds such as puerarin are susceptible to degradation when exposed to prolonged heat. Therefore, when water chestnut is used for clearing heat and generating fluids, raw consumption or brief heating is considered more effective.  

4. Summary of Core Effects

• Clears heat and generates fluids, moistens the Lung and Throat:

  Suitable for conditions in which febrile diseases or internal heat in the Lung and Stomach injure body fluids, leading to thirst, dry or sore throat, and dry cough with scanty sputum. 

• Transforms phlegm and relieves food stagnation, moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movement:

  Beneficial for phlegm-heat cough, abdominal bloating due to food stagnation, and constipation caused by intestinal dryness. 

• Cools the Blood and detoxifies, supports blood pressure regulation:

  Provides supportive regulation for symptoms associated with heat in the Blood. Its rich content of potassium and dietary fibre is beneficial for maintaining stable blood pressure levels. 

5. Differentiated Use of Raw and Cooked Water Chestnut

The medicinal nature and therapeutic emphasis of raw and cooked water chestnut differ:

Important reminder: 

Raw water chestnut may carry parasitic organisms (such as flukes). It must be thoroughly washed and peeled, or preferably consumed after cooking. Individuals with weakened immunity and children are advised to consume cooked water chestnut only. 

6. Traditional Dietary Recipes with Modern Adaption

Water chestnut has a crisp, tender texture and abundant natural juices, making it especially suitable for blending into a smooth, fine puree using the iTAZZO i-Processor. This method helps retains its nutritional components and allows its cooling nature to be more easily readily accepted by the Spleen and Stomach.

Five-Juice Lung-Moistening Drink (Traditional Formula, Modern Preparation) 

Main Indications: Clears heat, generates body fluids, moistens the Lung, and relieves cough. 

In the theory of Warm Disease, during the later stages of heat disorders, pathogenic heat often consumes the fluids of the Lung and Stomach, leading to persistent dry cough, thirst, dry mouth, and dry tongue. A commonly used approach is the method of sweet and cooling nourishment. 

The “Five-Juice Drink” recorded in Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases by the Qing-dynasty physician Wu Jutong, consisted of pear, water chestnut, fresh reed root, Ophiopogon root, and lotus root, and is a representative prescription for Lung dryness and fluid injury. 

This preparation is a modern adaptation of the traditional formula, utilizing iTAZZO i-Processor to make it easier for contemporary daily preparation and consumption. It is specifically designed for those suffering from Lung dryness and body fluid depletion. 

Formula Principles & TCM Interpretation 

1. Water Chestnut:  

Sweet and cooling, clears heat, generates fluids, transforms phlegm, and relieves food stagnation. It serves as the chief herb, establishing the overall clearing and moistening action. 

2. Snow Pear:  

Sweet and slightly cooling, moistens the Lung, relieves cough, clears heat, and transforms phlegm. Used with water chestnut, it enhances Lung-moistening and fluid-generating effects. 

3. Lotus Root:  

When used fresh, it is sweet and cooling, clears heat, cools the Blood, and relieves thirst. Rich in natural mucilage, it provides a protective and soothing effect on the respiratory mucosa. 

4. Honey (added after blending):  

Sweet and neutral, moistens dryness, detoxifies, harmonizes the formula. It improves taste, while enhancing the overall moistening effect. 

Ingredients (1–2 servings) 

• Water Chestnut (peeled): 50 gm 
• Snow Pear (cored): 50 gm 
• Lotus Root (peeled): 30 gm 
• Filtered Water: 200 ml 
• Honey: 5–10 ml (added before drinking) 

Preparation (Break the cell walls, extract essence) 

1. Wash the water chestnut, snow pear, and lotus root thoroughly. Peel, core, and cut into chunks. 
2. Place all ingredients together with 200 ml of filtered water into the iTAZZO i-Processor. 
3. Secure the lid. Blend at Speed 8 for 10 minutes until smooth, silky and milky white.  
4. Pour the drink into a cup. Once the temperature cools to warm (below approximately 40°C), add honey and stir gently until well combined. 

Consumption Tips and Precautions 

• Best Time: After waking in the morning, or in the afternoon when experiencing dry mouth or throat. Particularly suitable during autumn dryness or heated indoor environments. 
• Frequency: For therapeutic regulation, consume once daily for 3–5 consecutive days. After symptoms improved, reduce to 2–3 times per week. 
• Important Reminders: 
  • This preparation is cooling and moistening in nature, making it suitable for individuals with Yin deficiency, Lung dryness, and fluid depletion with thirst. 
  • It is not suitable for those who are sensitive to cold, have clear, watery phlegm, or suffer from Spleen–Stomach deficiency with cold or cold-type cough. 
  • Honey should be added only after the liquid has cooled slightly, to avoid damaging its active components with high heat. 
  • This is dietary therapy, not a replacement for medication. If cough symptoms are severe or persistent, please seek medical attention promptly.