Dry cough is a common symptom, often occurring in dry seasons such as spring and autumn. When it occurs, the cough is continuous, accompanied by itchiness in the throat, without fever, and a dislike for cold air and smoke. It worsens at night. In traditional Chinese medicine, dry cough is mostly caused by the invasion of dry evil in the lungs, affecting the lung's function of spreading and descending. Treatment should focus on relieving the surface and clearing the lungs, moistening dryness and stopping cough. Below are some remedies for treating dry cough.
Remedy 1: Stewed Pig Lungs with Lo Han Guo
【Ingredients】1 piece of Lo Han Guo, 50g fresh pig lungs.
【Method】Cut the pig lungs into small pieces and stew with Lo Han Guo until fully cooked. Season and consume.
【Effects】Nourishes the lungs and moistens dryness, stops cough and transforms phlegm. It is particularly suitable for whooping cough, long-term cough with lung damage, dry cough with little phlegm, and weak cough without strength.
Remedy 2: Chuan Bei Snow Pear Soup
【Ingredients】1 snow pear, 25g rock sugar, a small amount of Chuan Bei.
【Method】Wash and peel the snow pear, cut it open and remove the core, creating a pear cup. Put a few pieces of Chuan Bei and rock sugar into the pear cup. Cover the pear cup with the pear lid and fix it with a toothpick. Place the snow pear in a bowl, add rock sugar and water, and steam over water for 30 minutes. After consumption, it can clear heat, disperse masses, transform phlegm, and nourish the lungs.
【Effects】Chuan Bei is a bitter and sweet Chinese medicinal herb, which can be omitted when consumed. Chuan Bei enters the lung and heart meridians, and has the functions of transforming phlegm, stopping cough, clearing heat, and dispersing masses. Pear tastes sweet and has a cold nature. It enters the lung meridian and has the functions of clearing heat, transforming phlegm, and stopping cough. The sweet taste in Chinese medicine refers to its nourishing and replenishing effects. By entering the lung meridian, it means that this substance has a strong effect on the lungs. Adding rock sugar to the soup can not only improve the taste, but also enhance the lung-nourishing effect, which is beneficial for patients with dry cough.
Remedy 3: Lily and Lotus Root Starch Soup
【Ingredients】50g fresh lily, appropriate amount of lotus root starch, and rock sugar.
【Method】Cook the lily and rock sugar in water until soft. Add lotus root starch that has been made into a paste and cook as a soup. Consume one small bowl twice daily.
【Effects】Moistens the lungs and invigorates the spleen. Suitable for those with yin deficiency, low fever, night sweats, dry mouth and throat, and little phlegm in the cough.
Remedy 4: Tremella and Snow Pear Paste
【Ingredients】10g Tremella, 1 snow pear, 15g rock sugar.
【Method】Slice the pear and add water. Cook with Tremella until the soup thickens. Add melted rock sugar and consume twice daily as a hot drink.
【Effects】Nourishes yin and clears heat, moistens the lungs and stops cough. Suitable for lung deficiency with dry cough and thick phlegm, as well as long-term cough due to lung deficiency. Tremella nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, nourishes the stomach and generates fluids, and is a top-grade ingredient for nourishing the lungs and stomach. Snow pear clears the lungs and stops coughing, while rock sugar nourishes yin and moistens the lungs. Therefore, it is very effective for those with lung deficiency and dryness.
Remedy 5: Bird's Nest Congee with Rock Sugar
【Ingredients】10g bird's nest, 100g rice, 50g rock sugar.
【Method】Soak the bird's nest in warm water to soften it, remove impurities and rinse it. Then put it in a bowl of boiling water to further expand. Wash the rice and put it in a pot, add three bowls of water, bring to a boil over high heat, and then simmer over low heat. Put the clean and well-expanded bird's nest into the pot with the rice and simmer for about 1 hour. Add melted rock sugar and it is ready to serve.
【Effects】Nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, stops coughing and transforms phlegm. Treats long-term cough and cough asthma with yin deficiency.
In addition to the above dietary remedies, traditional Chinese medicine hot compress can also be used to treat dry cough: when sleeping, use an electric heating pad to apply heat to the back and chest for about 20 minutes. The symptoms will be alleviated that night, and the frequency of coughing will be reduced. Continue the compress for 3-5 days and the cough will basically disappear. If you take some anti-inflammatory drugs, the effect will be even better. Hot compress tools can also be hot water bags, salt water bottles, or hot towels. However, when using electric heating pads, hot water bags, or salt water bottles, you should wear a layer of clothing to avoid burning the skin. Hot towels should be used when the weather is not too cold, and you should ask for help from your family members.
