Protecting and Nourishing the Throat: Traditional Chinese Herbal Teas for Dry and Itchy Throat

In autumn, the weather becomes dry, and our throats often feel itchy and uncomfortable, causing many throat problems. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the throat is the gateway to the lungs and the passage for breathing. In the dry autumn climate, the external dry evil can invade the lungs, easily damaging the body's fluids and causing the lungs to become dry and lose their nourishing and cleansing functions. This can lead to dry and sore throat, as well as an itchy sensation in the throat. Therefore, the treatment of dry and itchy throat should start with nourishing the yin of the lungs and clearing away dryness. In daily life, choosing some traditional Chinese herbal teas can help protect the throat and treat throat pain and other issues.

Lily and Fritillaria Tea

Ingredients: 10g lily, 10g fritillaria powder, 10g sand ginseng

Method: Add the ingredients to 600ml of boiling water, steep for 5 minutes, and then drink.

Benefits: Suitable for allergies, itchy and dry cough, throat congestion, and inflammation. However, sand ginseng is a cooling herb, so it is not suitable for patients with poor gastrointestinal function or those who have caught a cold due to exposure to cold.

Honeysuckle and Olive Tea

Ingredients: 10g honeysuckle, 5g mint, 5 olives

Method: Boil honeysuckle and olives in 600ml of water, then add mint and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Strain and drink.

Benefits: Suitable for colds accompanied by red and swollen throat, inflammation, and pain. Honeysuckle has antiviral properties, olives relieve pain, and mint has the ability to disperse wind, clear heat, and reduce inflammation. However, honeysuckle and mint are cooling herbs, so they should not be used by individuals with cold limbs and a deficiency-cold constitution. If diarrhea occurs after consumption, the tea should be discontinued.

Malva Nut Tea

Ingredients: 6g malva nut, 2-3 pieces of licorice

Method: Add the ingredients to boiling water, steep for 10 minutes, and then drink.

Benefits: Suitable for cases where the vocal cords are overused, such as after prolonged speaking or shouting, which can easily cause inflammation and edema, resulting in pain. Malva nut can lubricate the throat and has anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling effects. Licorice can clear heat, detoxify, and relieve pain. However, malva nut has a laxative effect, so it should not be consumed by people with diarrhea.

Arhat Fruit Tea

Ingredients: 2 arhat fruits

Method: Peel and slice 2 arhat fruits, boil them in water for 1 minute, and then drink.

Benefits: Suitable for pharyngitis and throat pain caused by lung heat. Arhat fruit can clear the lungs and benefit the throat. When there is a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, arhat fruit can be simmered with pear to make a soup. Prepare 1 arhat fruit, wash it, and cut it into small pieces. Add 1 peeled and cored pear to the pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer for 30 minutes. Drink one dose as tea every day. Arhat fruit is cooling, so it should be used with caution by individuals with a deficiency-cold constitution.

American Ginseng and Goji Berry Tea

Ingredients: 10g American ginseng slices, 10g goji berries

Method: Soak the American ginseng slices and goji berries in boiling water for 10 minutes, and then drink.

Benefits: This tea has the effects of clearing the mind, refreshing, quenching thirst, nourishing the liver, and replenishing qi. It is suitable for people who feel tired, have a dry throat, and experience throat pain due to excessive use of their voice. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the voice originates from qi, and having sufficient qi is essential for producing sound. Teachers who use their voice excessively can deplete their lung qi, so replenishing qi is crucial in preventing vocal cord diseases.