Autumn Lung-Moistening Tea
I. Three-Leaf Moisturizing Tea
Ingredients: 15g ginseng leaves, 15g longli leaves, 15g loquat leaves, 10g trichosanthes root, 15g ophiopogon tuber, 6g licorice root
Effects: Clears dryness, moistens lungs, relieves cough
Indications: Dry cough, dry sore throat, hoarseness
Preparation:1. First decoction: Simmer 3 bowls of water until reduced to 1 bowl. 2. Second decoction: Simmer 2 bowls of water until reduced to half a bowl.
II. Winter Flower Loquat Tea
Ingredients: 12g winter flower, 15g loquat leaves, honey to taste
Benefits: Clears dryness, moistens lungs, dissolves phlegm, relieves cough
Preparation: 1. First decoction: Simmer 3 bowls of water until reduced to 1 bowl.2. Second decoction: Simmer 2 bowls of water until reduced to half a bowl.
III. Mulberry Leaf, Chrysanthemum, and Loquat Leaf Tea
Ingredients: 15g mulberry leaves, 20g chrysanthemum flowers, 20g loquat leaves
Benefits: Treats and prevents autumn colds, disperses wind-heat, moistens lungs, and relieves coughing
Preparation: 1. First decoction: Simmer 3 bowls of water until reduced to 1 bowl;2. Second decoction: Simmer 2 bowls of water until reduced to half a bowl.
IV. Ophiopogon and Bamboo Leaf Tea (Heart-Clearing and Lung-Moistening Tea)
Ingredients: 15g Ophiopogon tuber, 15g Lily bulb, 4 qian Bamboo leaves
Method: Combine ingredients in a pot with 1000ml water. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half.Strain the liquid and drink once in the morning and once in the evening.
V. Two-Flower Almond Tea
Ingredients: 5g Inula flower, 10g each of Tussilago flower and almond, a small amount of brown sugar
Method: Place Inula flower, Tussilago flower, and almond into an earthenware pot with water. Simmer briefly, strain out the residue, then add a small amount of brown sugar. Prepare two servings daily.This formula disperses wind and cold, promotes lung function, and facilitates breathing. It is suitable for wind-cold coughs with white phlegm. 6. Chrysanthemum Moisturizing Lung Tea Ingredients: 15g honeysuckle, 15g chrysanthemum, 20g mulberry leaves, 3g mint, 3g licorice.
Method: Place all ingredients in a pot, pour boiling water over them, and steep for about 15 minutes before straining and drinking.
Benefits: This tea calms the mind, treats colds and coughs, alleviates stomach bloating, indigestion, and sore throat. It also dispels wind-heat, relieves headaches, and nourishes the liver and eyes.
VII. Moisturizing Lung & Cough-Relieving Tea
Ingredients: 6g each of Scrophularia root, Ophiopogon tuber, and Platycodon root; 3g each of black plum and raw licorice root.
Preparation: Place all herbs in a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 15 minutes. Drink frequently throughout the day. One dose per day.
Benefits: Nourishes yin and consolidates the lungs, clears the throat and stops coughing.Chronic cough often damages lung yin or lung qi. Those with yin deficiency require yin nourishment, while qi deficiency demands qi tonification. Only when lung qi and yin are restored can cough be cured. Scrophularia and Ophiopogon nourish yin and moisten the lungs; Platycodon and Licorice resolve phlegm and stop cough. Black plum consolidates the lungs and generates fluids; the Compendium of Materia Medica uses it to treat persistent cough.Pharmacological studies indicate that decoctions or ethanol extracts of dried plum exhibit significant antibacterial activity against certain Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Indications: Persistent cough due to lung yin deficiency, presenting with dry throat, severe cough without phlegm, dry mouth, red tongue, or symptoms like tidal fever and night sweats. Contraindicated for wind-cold coughs.
8. Platycodon and Licorice Tea
Ingredients: 6g each of Scrophularia root, Ophiopogon tuber, and Platycodon root; 3g each of black plum and raw licorice root.
Function: Nourishes yin, consolidates the lungs, clears the throat, and stops coughing.
Preparation: Place all herbs in a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 15 minutes. Drink frequently as a tea substitute. One dose per day.
IX. White Fungus Tea
Wash 20g white fungus thoroughly. Simmer with water and 20g rock sugar until tender. Steep 5g tea leaves in warm water for 5 minutes, then mix the tea liquid into the white fungus soup. Stir well and consume. This tea nourishes yin, reduces internal heat, moistens the lungs, and relieves cough.
Massage for Lung Care
Press Yingxiang Point: Rub the outer edges of both thumbs together until warm. Using the outer edges of the thumbs, massage up and down along the bridge of the nose and both sides of the nostrils about 60 times. Then massage the Yingxiang points (located at the junction of the nasolabial fold and the nostrils) 20 times on each side. Perform one to two sets each morning and evening.
Tapping the Lung Shu Points: Each night before bed, sit upright in a chair with knees naturally apart. Place hands on thighs, keep head straight and eyes closed, relax the entire body, and focus your mind on the lower abdomen.Inhale deeply into the chest. Form hollow fists with both hands and gently tap the Lung Shu points on the back (located two finger-widths lateral to the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra) several dozen times. Simultaneously, raise your hands and lightly pat the back from bottom to top with your palms. Continue for about 10 minutes.This method promotes smooth flow of chest qi, strengthens and nourishes the lungs, aids in expelling phlegm from the body, unblocks meridians along the spine, and helps prevent colds. Exercise for Lung Health Lung-Strengthening Qigong: Autumn is the season of storage, so quiet exercises are most suitable.For example, 1-2 hours after dinner each day, begin with a 10-15 minute slow walk. Then find a quiet, relatively open space. Stand still, relax your entire body, gaze steadily straight ahead, place your feet shoulder-width apart, and place your palms together, palms facing upward, about 3 cm below your navel. Inhale while drawing in your abdomen, then exhale slowly and relax. Practicing for half an hour is very beneficial for lung health.Cold-Resistance Training: Typically involves washing your face and rinsing your nose with cold water. Those in good physical condition may also rub their bodies, wash their feet, or even take cold showers. Studies indicate that appropriate cold water exercises can help prevent respiratory illnesses like colds, flu, and bronchitis. Beyond cold water training, consider aerobic activities that enhance cold resistance, such as mountain climbing, cold air baths, or maintaining a swimming routine through autumn and winter.
The above introduces nine autumn lung-moistening teas. While these teas support lung health in fall, it's crucial to minimize smoking and alcohol consumption.