Traditional Chinese Internal Moisture to Relieve Thirst
Traditional Chinese medicine can internally relieve dryness and thirst by nourishing the body from within, making one feel more comfortable. Dr. Liu Youzhang pointed out that the "Five Elements" of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth correspond with the four seasons; autumn belongs to "Metal," during which Metal energy dominates. The lung also belongs to Metal and corresponds to autumn. The lung is delicate and easily injured by dryness. Since the lung governs the skin and hair and opens into the nose, autumn's dryness tends to injure lung yin, leading to dry throat, dry nose, and dry skin. Therefore, autumn should focus on nourishing yin, generating body fluids, and moistening the lungs.
Formula One: Xiao Zao Jiu Fei Tang (Clearing Dryness and Rescuing the Lung Decoction)
"Clear dryness and rescue qi with licorice and loquat leaf, gypsum, gelatin, apricot kernel, wheat winter, hemp seed, and frost-harvested mulberry leaf—nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness with remarkable effect." This is the mnemonic for Xiao Zao Jiu Fei Tang, listing its ingredients:
Ingredients: 15g Shashen or 10g American ginseng (original formula uses Ren Shen, slightly warming), 6g Licorice, 15g Loquat Leaf, 10g Lily Bulb (original formula uses Ejiao), 10g Apricot Kernel, 10g Ophiopogon Root, 30g Hemp Seed, 15g Mulberry Leaf
Serving Size: For 4 people
Preparation: Boil 6 bowls down to 3 bowls
Formula Two: Snow Ear and Papaya Stew
Ingredients: 50g Snow Ear, half a papaya (about 500g)
Serving Size: For 4 people
Preparation: Place snow ear and papaya in a steaming bowl and stew
Function: Moisturize dryness and nourish the lung
Formula Three: Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, and Winter Melon Soup
Ingredients: 30g Lotus Seed, 30g Lily Bulb, 500g Winter Melon
Serving Size: For 3–4 people
Preparation: Combine all ingredients with appropriate water and simmer into soup
Formula Four: Shashen Mai Dong Syrup
Ingredients: 30g Shashen, 15g Mai Dong, 10g Bamboo Leaf, 5g Licorice, 15g Tian Dong
Serving Size: For 3–4 people
Preparation: Add appropriate rock sugar and boil into syrup
Formula Five: Ginseng Leaf Tea
Ingredients: 10g Ginseng Leaf, 3g Licorice
Serving Size: For 1 person
Preparation: Steep ginseng leaf and licorice in boiling water to make tea