Dietary Remedies for Dry Cough in Winter
Dry air easily triggers respiratory diseases, especially dry cough. Symptoms include persistent dry cough, little or no phlegm, difficulty expectorating, blood streaks in sputum, accompanied by dry mouth and throat, itching in the throat, hoarseness, and red tongue with little moisture. Several helpful dietary remedies for clearing dry cough are recommended—ideal for middle-aged and elderly people, as well as those with acute or chronic bronchitis.
生姜茶 (Ginger Tea)
Wash 10 slices of ginger, combine with 7g tea leaves, boil into a decoction for drinking. Helps induce sweating, relieve exterior symptoms, warm the lungs, and stop thirst—effective for influenza and cough.
蔗汁粥 (Sugarcane Juice Porridge)
Use 500g fresh sugarcane, peel and extract juice. Use 50g rice to cook into porridge, then mix in 60ml sugarcane juice, reheat gently, stir well before serving.
蜂蜜萝卜汁 (Honey and Radish Juice)
400g white radish, wash and peel, chop finely, squeeze juice through clean gauze. Take 60ml juice each time, mix with 1 spoon honey, stir and swallow. Three times daily for 3–5 days. Particularly effective for constipation.
杏仁炖雪梨 (Apricot Kernel Steamed Pear)
Take 15g sweet apricot kernels, remove skin, crush. One ripe pear, wash, peel, and cut into slices. Place in a bowl with 20g rock sugar, add sufficient water, steam over water for 30 minutes. Consume twice daily (morning and evening), for 3–5 consecutive days.
川贝炖雪梨 (Pinellia Steamed Pear)
One ripe pear, wash, cut horizontally in half, remove core, fill with 6g pinellia powder. Join the two halves, secure with toothpicks. Place in a bowl with 20g rock sugar, add sufficient water, steam over water for 30 minutes. Eat the pear and drink the soup, once daily for 3–5 days.
贝母冰糖汁 (Fritillary Bulb and Rock Sugar Juice)
Grind 5g fritillary bulb into powder. Place with 20g rock sugar in a bowl, add 150ml water, steam over water for 20 minutes. Take twice daily (morning and evening), for 3–5 consecutive doses.
陈醋冰糖汁 (Vinegar and Rock Sugar Syrup)
Crush 100g rock sugar and place in container, add 450ml aged vinegar, soak for 3 days until sugar dissolves. Take 15ml before breakfast and after dinner. Can be taken long-term—best for stopping cough and dissolving phlegm.