The weather is still quite dry in early spring, and the throat can sometimes feel itchy. Some people like to suck on lozenges. Most lozenges contain iodine, which can effectively inhibit bacteria. However, if you suck on lozenges when there is no inflammation in the mouth, it will inhibit and kill the normal beneficial bacteria in the oral cavity, which in turn can easily allow harmful bacteria to take advantage and invade. So, what should you do about an itchy throat?
An itchy throat is mostly caused by chronic pharyngitis.
An itchy throat is mostly caused by chronic pharyngitis, a diffuse inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, submucosa, and lymphatic tissue. It is often accompanied by other upper respiratory diseases and is a very common pharyngeal condition in the population. Symptoms include pharyngeal discomfort, a foreign body sensation, feeling as if there is something in the throat that cannot be swallowed or spit out, irritating cough, dryness, swelling, blockage, and itching.
The throat is the gateway to the lungs and the passage for breathing. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that when pathogenic dryness from the external environment invades the lungs, it consumes the body's fluids, causing the lungs to lose their moisture and their function of purification to be impaired. This leads to symptoms like a dry, sore throat and an itchy throat. Therefore, to treat a dry, itchy throat, one should start by nourishing the lung yin and expelling the pathogenic dryness. For daily prevention of a dry, itchy throat, you can choose some beverages to protect the throat and treat sore throat issues.
What to do about an itchy throat?
I. Daily Prevention
1. Maintaining a suitable temperature and humidity in the room with fresh air is an effective measure to prevent and treat acute and chronic pharyngitis. Dry air in the room, or conditions that are too cold, too hot, or too humid, can affect the defensive function of the pharyngeal mucosa, causing dysfunction, abnormal pharyngeal sensation, and eventually leading to pharyngitis over time.
2. Gargling and brushing your teeth in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime can keep your mouth clean.
3. The diet should be light and easy to digest, supplemented with some refreshing, heat-clearing, and tender, juicy foods. Such as oranges, tangerines, pineapple, sugarcane, olives, Ya pears, apples and other fruits, or drink plenty of water.
4. Improve your work and living environment. Combine with the transformation of production equipment to reduce the stimulation of dust and harmful gases. Avoid working in environments with a high content of chemical gases or dust. Maintain a regular daily routine with a balance of work and rest. Treat chronic diseases in a timely manner, maintain daily bowel movements, and gargle with light salt water or drink a small amount in the morning.
5. To prevent pharyngitis attacks, you should control your voice appropriately. Improper or excessive use of voice, such as long-term continuous speaking or singing, is not conducive to the treatment of pharyngitis.
II. Herbal Remedies
Rock Sugar, Snow Pear, and Tremella Soup
Rock Sugar, Snow Pear, and Tremella Soup
1. Peel and wash two snow pears, cut them into one-centimeter cubes, and then cook them in a clay pot or enamel pot.
2. Soak the tremella in water for about 10 minutes until it expands, then remove the root, tear it into small pieces with your hands, and add it to the pot to cook with the snow pears.
3. When the snow pears and tremella have been cooking for about 20 minutes, add rock sugar. If you like it sweeter, you can add more. Stir repeatedly with a spoon until the rock sugar dissolves.
This rock sugar, snow pear, and tremella soup is ready. It is good for driving away cold when served hot, and tastes better when chilled in the refrigerator.
Honeysuckle and Jujube Tea
Ingredients: 7g honeysuckle tea, 10g red dates, 3g dried tangerine peel, 2g licorice root, 10g goji berries, and appropriate amount of rock sugar and water.
Method:
1. Wash the honeysuckle and dried tangerine peel with clean water, then soak them in water for about 10 minutes.
2. Add licorice root and goji berries, then add red dates and rock sugar. Stir well and let it sit for half an hour.
3. Pour into a stew pot, cover, and stew on high heat for about 40 minutes. After stewing, strain it with a sieve and it is ready to drink.
Momonordica Fruit Tea
Method: Steep 1 Momonordica fruit in boiling water and drink. Momonordica fruit has the effects of clearing the lungs, moistening the throat, and relieving constipation. It is very effective for sore throat, dryness, and itching. However, it should be noted that this product has a certain laxative effect. For those with a dry, itchy throat accompanied by constipation, it is a good daily drink. But for those who are prone to diarrhea, it is best to take it as little as possible.
Platycodon Decoction
Method: Steep 15g of Platycodon root and 30g of licorice root in boiling water and drink. Platycodon root has the effect of ventilating the lungs, resolving phlegm, and draining pus, while licorice root has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. Using licorice to purge fire and platycodon to ventilate the lungs allows the heat to be expelled and the lung orifices to be opened, thus naturally alleviating the symptoms of dry, itchy, and sore throat.
III. Acupressure
For a dry, itchy throat, pinch the base of the thumb.
There is a bulging muscle at the base of the thumb, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine is called the thenar eminence. Pinching this muscle forcefully can relieve pharyngeal discomfort. You can do this 20-30 times a day.
In addition, massage the Shaoshang point (under the thumbnail on the outer side of the thumb) and the Hegu point (at the webbing of the thumb and index finger) the same number of times.
For those with chronic pharyngitis, you can also additionally massage the Taixi point (on the medial side of the ankle, between the medial malleolus and Achilles tendon) and the Taichong point (on the dorsum of the foot, in the depression distal to the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones) 30-50 times each. Then, use the tip of the middle finger to press and knead the Lianquan point (the midpoint on the upper border of the body of the hyoid bone), the Yifeng point (the depression posterior to the lower border of the earlobe), and the Xiaguan point 100 times each. Practice these methods once a day for ten consecutive days.
Rhodish and gravy