东南亚天气炎热，很容易上火。所以那里的人都习惯喝点凉茶或者可以清热祛湿的饮料。

百度百科说：薏米是常用的中药．又是普遍、常吃的食物，性味甘淡微寒，有利水消肿、健脾去湿、舒筋除痹、清热排脓等功效，为常用的利水渗湿药。薏仁又是一种美容食品，常食可以保持人体皮肤光泽细腻，消除粉刺、斑雀、老年斑、妊娠斑、蝴蝶斑，对脱屑、痤疮、皲裂、皮肤粗糙等都有良好疗效。

我之前做过香兰薏米水， 是家乡经常饮用的一道冷饮。冰箱里还有一瓶之前做的薄荷糖浆，今天熬点薏米水，喝的时候加一小勺的薄荷糖浆，薏米和薄荷也很搭哦！

Barley water is well known for its cooling property, it is used especially in the southeast Asia, where the tropical climate brings with it the heat and humidity, this particular beverage could help to prevent dehydration and cool down the body.

The Chinese traditional herb and medicine also believed that barley could help to reduce weight, reduce water retention, and is a good source of fiber.

Since we are running heater 24/7 now in winter, I am making some Barley water to go with the Mint Syrup that I have in the fridge to help quince the thirst and dryness.

材料：

1/2 杯 薏米 （最好是洋薏米和薏米仁混合） 

2 片新鲜的香兰叶/班兰叶 （Pandan Leaves/Screwpine Leaves） 

8-10 杯水

薄荷糖浆  适量

Ingredients：

1/2 cup Barley （Mixture of Chinese Pearl barley and Pearl Barley is the best）

2 leaves of Pandan/Screwpine Leaves

8-10 cups of water

Homemade Mint Syrup

1.薏米/薏仁洗净后泡水半个小时。沥干后装入瓦煲里加8-10杯水。

2. 香兰叶洗净打个结，搓搓让味道出来。一起加入锅里，先大火煮滚后转小火煮1个小时。

1. Clean and soak barley in water for half an hour, add the barley in a claypot/stock pot with 8-10 cups of water.

2. Clean and tie the pandan leaves/screw-pine leaves into a knot, lightly crush it to release more fragrance. 

3. Bring the water to boil, and reduce heat to medium low to cook for 1 hour.

1. Clean and soak barley in water for half an hour, add the barley in a claypot/stock pot with 8-10 cups of water.

2. Clean and tie the pandan leaves/screw-pine leaves into a knot, lightly crush it to release more fragrance. 

3. Bring the water to boil, and reduce heat to medium low to cook for 1 hour.

冷却后加入薄荷糖浆饮用。

Serve cold with Mint Syrup.

欢迎到我的英文博客玩--

http://www.echoskitchen.com/2017/12/mint-barley-water.html