Is Grass Jelly Good for Yeet Hay? Answering the Cooling Question

December 23, 2025 •

3 min read

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), many foods have inherent "energies" that can either heat or cool the body. For centuries, Asian cultures have turned to grass jelly, a popular herbal dessert, for its celebrated ability to combat 'yeet hay,' or excessive internal heat.

Quick Summary

This article explores the use of grass jelly, a popular herbal dessert, as a remedy for 'yeet hay' (internal heat) based on traditional Chinese medicine principles. It details how the cooling properties of grass jelly can help balance the body, lists other cooling foods, and provides advice on consumption.

Key Points

Traditional Remedy: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), grass jelly is considered a cooling food used to counteract 'yeet hay,' or excessive internal body heat.
How it Works: The cooling effect of grass jelly is believed to help restore balance to the body's internal energy (qi), which is disrupted by consuming too many 'heaty' foods.
Symptoms of Yeet Hay: Consuming too many fried, oily, or spicy foods can cause yeet hay, leading to symptoms like sore throats, mouth ulcers, and acne.
Best Consumption Method: For maximum benefit, consume grass jelly chilled and with minimal added sugar, as excessive sweetness can negate its cooling properties.
Other Cooling Foods: In addition to grass jelly, other foods like watermelon, cucumber, and chrysanthemum tea are also used to combat yeet hay.

Understanding the Concepts of 'Yeet Hay' and Cooling Foods

What is 'Yeet Hay'?

In Cantonese culture, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) more broadly, 'yeet hay' (also spelled 'yit hei') refers to an imbalance caused by too much internal 'heat' in the body. This condition is often associated with consuming excessive amounts of fried, oily, spicy, or otherwise 'heaty' foods, such as fried chicken, potato chips, and certain tropical fruits. Symptoms of yeet hay can manifest in a variety of ways, including sore throats, mouth ulcers, acne, nosebleeds, and general irritability. The concept is not a medical diagnosis in the Western sense but a cultural understanding of a body's energetic state that requires rebalancing.

The Role of Grass Jelly in Counteracting Heatiness

Grass jelly (xiancao in Mandarin, liangfen or cincau elsewhere) is derived from the leaves and stalks of the Mesona chinensis plant, a member of the mint family. In TCM, this plant is considered a powerful 'cooling' or 'yin' food, specifically known for its ability to clear heat and detoxify the body. By consuming grass jelly, especially chilled, it is believed one can effectively mitigate the internal heat associated with yeet hay, restoring the body's natural balance.

The Traditional Logic: How Grass Jelly Works

The efficacy of grass jelly in treating yeet hay is rooted in the fundamental principles of TCM, which emphasize achieving equilibrium between yin and yang energies. A yeet hay condition represents an excess of yang (hot) energy. To restore balance, TCM recommends consuming yin (cooling) foods and herbs.

Grass jelly functions in this capacity due to its herbal origins. The process of boiling the Mesona plant and setting it into a dark jelly results in a product with inherent cooling properties. This is why it has been a popular summer dessert in many Asian countries for centuries, used specifically to combat heat and humidity. Its high water content also makes it hydrating, further aiding the body's cooling processes.

Comparison of Cooling Foods for Yeet Hay


Food/Herb	TCM Energy Profile	Primary Benefit for Yeet Hay	Best Served	Additional Notes
Grass Jelly	Cooling (Yin)	Clears internal heat, soothes sore throats.	Chilled, with light syrup or fresh fruit.	Made from Mesona plant, versatile in desserts and drinks.
Watermelon	Cooling (Yin)	Hydrating, expels heat, and promotes urination.	Fresh or juiced.	Avoided by those with a "cool" constitution in early pregnancy.
Mung Beans	Cooling (Yin)	Clears heat and reduces toxins.	Boiled into a sweet soup (luk dou tong).	A classic remedy for heatiness.
Cucumber	Cooling (Yin)	Hydrating and helps reduce body heat.	Raw in salads or infused in water.	Also useful for detoxification.
Chrysanthemum Tea	Cooling (Yin)	Expels wind-heat, good for sore throats and fevers.	Warm or cold.	Should be unsweetened for maximum effect.
Barley Water	Cooling (Yin)	Clears damp-heat, soothes the urinary tract.	Warm or cooled.	Often served boiled with rock sugar and pandan leaves.
Winter Melon	Cooling (Yin)	Clears heat and dampness.	Boiled into soup or dessert.	Very effective for summer heat.

How to Consume Grass Jelly for Best Results

To maximize the cooling benefits of grass jelly for yeet hay, it is best to consume it in a simple, traditional manner. While modern preparations might include rich, "heaty" toppings like condensed milk, these additions can counteract the cooling effects.

Classic Grass Jelly Dessert: Serve chilled, cubed grass jelly in a bowl with a light drizzle of honey or simple brown sugar syrup. This minimizes added heat from sugar and provides hydration.
Herbal Drink: Combine grass jelly cubes with unsweetened soy milk or a brewed herbal tea like chrysanthemum for a refreshing beverage.
As a Topping: Add plain grass jelly cubes to fresh fruit salads with other cooling fruits like watermelon or pear.

Conclusion

For those seeking a traditional remedy for yeet hay, grass jelly is a popular and time-honored choice. Its celebrated cooling properties, rooted in TCM, offer a delicious way to restore balance and alleviate the symptoms of internal heat. When prepared with minimal sugar and paired with other cooling ingredients, it provides a light and refreshing solution that is both traditional and healthy. For a deeper dive into the health benefits of grass jelly, including its potential antioxidant properties, one can explore scientific reviews like this one from Everyday Health, though further research is needed for conclusive therapeutic recommendations. The ultimate goal is always balance, and grass jelly serves as an excellent ingredient in a holistic approach to dietary well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

'Yeet hay' (or 'yit hei') is a Cantonese term from Traditional Chinese Medicine referring to an imbalance of too much internal heat in the body, often caused by consuming fried or spicy foods.

Yes, according to TCM, grass jelly is an effective cooling food due to its herbal origins from the Mesona chinensis plant, which helps to clear heat and detoxify the body.

Symptoms can include a sore throat, mouth ulcers or canker sores, acne, skin rashes, nosebleeds, and a feeling of being unwell or irritable.

Grass jelly is made by boiling the aged stalks and leaves of the Mesona chinensis plant with water and starch, which creates a dark, gelatinous substance.

For counteracting yeet hay, it's best to consume grass jelly with light, cooling additions like honey or fruit. Avoid excessive sugar or condensed milk, which are considered 'heaty' and can undermine the cooling effect.

Other cooling foods include watermelon, cucumber, mung beans, winter melon, and chrysanthemum tea. It is also advised to consume more steamed or boiled dishes.

While there is no direct Western medical equivalent, the symptoms associated with 'yeet hay' often overlap with concepts like inflammation or imbalances caused by an unhealthy diet.