Remedies for Dry Cough after Autumnal Equinox
After the Autumnal Equinox, weather gradually turns cool and dry, increasing susceptibility to respiratory diseases, particularly dry cough. Symptoms include persistent dry cough, little or no phlegm, difficulty expectorating, blood streaks in sputum, accompanied by dry mouth and throat, sore throat, itching, hoarseness, red tongue with little moisture. Several dietary therapies are recommended to clear dry cough—especially beneficial for middle-aged and elderly individuals, and patients with acute or chronic bronchitis. Ginger Tea: Wash 10 slices of ginger, combine with 7g tea leaves, boil into a decoction and drink. Helps induce sweating, relieve exterior symptoms, warm the lung, and stop thirst—effective for influenza and cough. Sugarcane Juice Porridge: Use 500g fresh sugarcane, peel and juice; prepare 50g rice into porridge, mix in 60ml sugarcane juice, simmer gently once more, stir well before serving. Honeyed Radish Juice: Use 400g white radish, wash, peel, chop, wrap in clean gauze, squeeze out juice. Take 60ml each time, mix with one spoon of honey, stir and swallow. Take three times daily for 3–5 days. Particularly effective for constipation. Almond Steamed Pear: Use 15g sweet almonds, remove skin, crush; one pear, wash, peel, cut into slices. Combine in a bowl with 20g rock sugar, add sufficient water, place in pot, steam over water for 30 minutes. Take twice daily (morning and evening) for 3–5 days. Steamed Pear with Chuanbei: One pear, wash, cut horizontally, remove core, fill with 6g Chuanbei powder, rejoin halves, secure with toothpick. Place in bowl with 20g rock sugar and sufficient water, steam over water for 30 minutes. Eat pear and drink soup, once daily for 3–5 days. Chuanbei and Rock Sugar Decoction: Grind 5g Chuanbei into powder, mix with 20g rock sugar in bowl, add 150ml water, steam over water for 20 minutes. Take twice daily for 3–5 doses. Vinegar and Rock Sugar Decoction: Crush 100g rock sugar into container, pour in 450ml aged vinegar, soak for 3 days until sugar dissolves. Take 15ml before breakfast and dinner. Can be taken long-term, best for stopping cough and transforming phlegm.<cough>