During the autumn and winter seasons, people are prone to symptoms such as coughing and excessive phlegm due to the influence of cold air. This is especially true for the elderly, who have low immunity and weak resistance to cold. Therefore, it is important to consume foods that nourish the lungs and help alleviate coughing and phlegm.
1. Lily
Lily has a cooling nature and is known for its ability to stop bleeding, invigorate blood circulation, clear the lungs, moisturize dryness, nourish Yin, clear heat, strengthen the spleen, and nourish the stomach. It is especially suitable for those with lung diseases such as chronic cough, tuberculosis, oral ulcers, dry mouth, and bad breath. Lily has a fragrant taste and can be used in soups, porridge, and dishes. However, it should be avoided by those with wind-cold cough, excessive bleeding, and poor digestion.
2. Peppermint
Peppermint has a spicy and cooling taste and is effective in dispelling external wind-heat. It is often used to treat wind-heat coughs and lung heat coughs. It can be used as a substitute for tea for those with wind-heat colds or lung heat coughs.
3. Tangerine Peel
Tangerine peel is a traditional Chinese medicine that can regulate Qi, strengthen the spleen, stop coughing, and transform phlegm. It is especially useful for those who experience coughing due to autumn dryness. Tangerine peel has a warm nature, a spicy and bitter taste, and enters the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians. It can regulate Qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, and transform phlegm. It is often used to treat phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, chest fullness, cough with abundant phlegm, and thick and sticky phlegm.
4. Chinese Yam
Chinese yam is neither drying nor greasy. It can nourish the spleen and lung and is effective in treating long-term cough due to lung deficiency. Chinese yam has a mild and warm nature and is known for its ability to nourish the lungs and treat chronic cough. It is often used to treat lung deficiency cough and is suitable for both men and women. Chinese yam can be balanced with coix seed, which has a cold nature, to avoid the coldness of coix seed and the stickiness of Chinese yam.
5. Honey
In ancient times, it was recommended to consume salt water in the morning and honey soup in the evening to combat autumn dryness. Honey has the functions of clearing heat, tonifying the middle, detoxifying, moisturizing dryness, and relieving pain. It can moisten the lungs, relieve constipation, and tonify the middle. It is commonly used to treat abdominal pain, dry cough, dry intestines, red eyes, mouth ulcers, and non-healing ulcers.
6. Monk Fruit
Monk fruit is known as the "magic fruit" and has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, transforming phlegm, relieving cough, nourishing the voice, moistening the lungs, and eliminating bad breath. It is especially effective in treating voice hoarseness, dry throat, and other symptoms caused by excessive smoking and drinking. It can also regulate blood sugar levels and improve diabetes. It can be used to treat lung heat cough, sore throat, dry stools, and other symptoms caused by lung heat and dryness.
7. Tremella Mushroom
Tremella mushroom contains a variety of amino acids and can relieve dry and itchy skin. It has a neutral and non-toxic nature and has the effects of tonifying the spleen, improving appetite, replenishing Qi, and nourishing the lungs. In addition, tremella mushroom can enhance the immune system and improve the tolerance of cancer patients to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
8. White Radish
According to traditional Chinese medicine, white radish corresponds to the lungs. It has a sweet and spicy taste and has the effects of relieving Qi, aiding digestion, nourishing the lungs, detoxifying, promoting saliva production, and promoting urination and bowel movements. It is commonly used to treat lung deficiency, lung heat, constipation, vomiting blood, bloating, indigestion, excessive phlegm, and difficulty in urination and bowel movements.
