Rhinitis refers to inflammation of the nasal mucosa and submucosa. It is characterized by congestion or edema, and patients often experience nasal congestion, clear runny nose, nasal itching, discomfort in the throat, and coughing. The thin liquid substance secreted by the nasal cavity is called nasal mucus or nasal secretions, which helps to remove dust and bacteria to maintain the health of the lungs. Under normal circumstances, nasal mucus mixed with bacteria and dust is sucked into the throat and eventually enters the stomach. Due to its small amount of secretion, it generally does not attract attention. When inflammation occurs in the nose, a large amount of nasal mucus can be secreted, which can turn yellow due to infection. When it flows through the throat, it can cause coughing. When there is a large amount of nasal mucus, it can also flow out of the anterior nostrils.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that rhinitis is primarily caused by deficiency of lung qi, instability of the defensive qi, invasion of wind-cold, and involvement of the nasal orifices. The struggle between pathogenic factors and healthy qi hinders the smooth flow of lung qi, causing stagnation of body fluids and resulting in sneezing and runny nose. The abundance of lung qi depends on the distribution of spleen qi. If the spleen qi is deficient, the lung qi will also be deficient. The root of qi lies in the kidneys, and if the kidneys are deficient, the intake and transformation of qi will be hindered, resulting in easy dispersal of yang qi and invasion of pathogenic wind, leading to illness. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of rhinitis usually involves methods such as anti-inflammatory, opening the nasal passages, warming the middle burner, and dispelling pathogenic factors. The following dietary therapy also achieves the above treatment effects.
1. Astragalus Chicken
[Recipe] 120g astragalus root, 1 chicken (about 750-1000g), 20g coriander, appropriate seasonings.
[Efficacy] Tonifies qi and invigorates the body, opens the nasal passages.
[Method] Pluck and clean the chicken, stuff the astragalus root into the chicken's abdomen and sew it up. Put it in a pot, add water, scallions, ginger, and other seasonings, and simmer until cooked. Add coriander when it is done.
[Usage] Serve as a main course for a regular meal.
2. Chuanxiong Pig Brain Soup
[Recipe] 2 pig brains, 15g chuanxiong, 10g xinyi flower.
[Efficacy] Promotes qi circulation, invigorates the brain, and opens the nasal passages.
[Method] Wash the pig brains and remove the fascia. Boil chuanxiong and xinyi flower in water, extract the juice, and add it to the pig brains along with salt and pepper. Stew until cooked.
[Usage] Divide into two servings.
3. Peach Kernel Porridge
[Recipe] 10g peach kernel, 6g Chinese angelica, 50g japonica rice.
[Efficacy] Promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, nourishes the stomach, and opens the nasal passages.
[Method] Peel and grind the peach kernels. Cook Chinese angelica in water and extract the juice. Cook it with japonica rice as usual to make porridge.
[Usage] Consume at once.
4. Orange Red Wine
[Recipe] 500g white wine, 30g orange red.
[Efficacy] Promotes qi circulation, invigorates the collaterals, and opens the nasal passages.
[Method] Soak orange red in white wine and seal it for 1 month.
[Usage] Drink a small cup (about 20ml) before bedtime every night.
5. Jujube Paste Bean Bun
[Recipe] 250g jujube (without pit), 1000g white kidney beans, 1000g flour.
[Efficacy] Strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, nourishes the stomach, and opens the nasal passages.
[Method] Boil the white kidney beans until soft, then add the pitted jujube and continue boiling until the water is almost gone and the beans can be crushed. Remove from heat while hot and mash the kidney beans and jujube into a paste. Mix the flour with yeast and let it ferment. After fermentation, add some baking soda or alkaline water and knead it evenly. Roll out the dough, wrap it with the kidney bean and jujube paste, and steam until cooked.
[Usage] Serve as the main staple food.
