Pears possess properties that clear heat, detoxify, moisten the lungs, generate fluids, and relieve coughs while dissolving phlegm. Whether eaten raw, juiced, or stewed, they offer therapeutic benefits for lung-heat coughs, measles, elderly coughs, and bronchitis. Combining pear juice with water chestnut, honey, or sugarcane juice enhances its efficacy.
Apricot Kernels
Winter's dryness easily depletes bodily fluids, causing dry mouth, throat pain, and irritation. Apricot kernels moisturize the lungs and suppress coughing, offering relief for dry coughs without phlegm and chronic coughs due to lung deficiency. Sweet apricot kernels are more effective for lung moisturization than their bitter counterparts.
Lily Bulbs
Traditional Chinese medicine holds that lily bulbs nourish the heart and lungs. They are suitable for those with lung deficiency coughs, dry coughs without phlegm, or colds and coughs caused by autumn and winter dryness.
Lilies can be prepared in various ways, such as stir-fried with shepherd's purse. Finely chop the shepherd's purse and stir-fry it with lily petals to create a delicious dish, particularly beneficial for those with lung ailments.
Luffa
Luffa possesses properties that clear heat and resolve phlegm. It is particularly beneficial for those with coughs characterized by abundant, thick, yellow phlegm. This is because the plant mucilage in luffa contains substances that eliminate and dissolve phlegm. Individuals with coughs due to lung heat or wind-heat invading the lungs, often accompanied by sputum discharge, should consume luffa decoction.
Bamboo Shoots
With a sweet and cold nature, bamboo shoots clear heat and resolve phlegm. As stated in The Original Source of Materia Medica: "Bamboo shoots are sweet and slightly cold, clearing heat and eliminating phlegm." The Dietary Spectrum of Suixi Ju also notes: "Shoots are sweet and cool, opening the chest and dissipating phlegm." Thus, they are most suitable for those with wind-heat coughs or lung-heat coughs.
Peanuts
Peanuts are neutral in nature and sweet in taste. They excel at replenishing lung qi and moistening the lungs, making them suitable for those with chronic cough due to lung deficiency. The Illustrated Materia Medica of Southern Yunnan states: "Peanuts replenish the middle and benefit qi; boiled in salt water, they nourish the lungs."The Compendium of Materia Medica describes them as "tonifying the spleen and moistening the lungs." The Examination of Medicinal Properties further states: "Raw ground peanuts expel phlegm; dry cough sufferers should consume them regularly to nourish dryness and reduce heat."