The lungs are the body's respiratory organs, and lung health is extremely important for the human body. Therefore, we should take care of our lungs. What is good for the lungs? Actually, it's very simple. There are many ways to moisten and nourish the lungs in daily life, especially dietary therapy, which is the most direct and effective protective measure!
Snow Pear Moisturizes the Lungs
Principle: White enters the lung, so all white foods have a nourishing effect on the lungs. Snow pears are high in moisture and slightly cool in nature, which can promote the production of body fluids, moisten dryness, clear heat, and resolve phlegm.
Dietary Usage: Can be eaten directly.
Silver Ear Fungus Moisturizes the Lungs
Principle: Also a white food, silver ear fungus is milder and warmer in nature, making it more suitable for people with a cold body or poor digestion. It also has the effect of tonifying Qi and clearing the intestines.
Dietary Usage: Silver Ear Congee: First, soak the silver ear fungus until it expands, remove the root, and chop it. Add it to the rice porridge after it comes to a boil, and cook for about 20 minutes until it reaches a semi-melted, sticky state. It can also be stewed with snow pears to make a Silver Ear and Snow Pear Soup.
Honey Moisturizes the Lungs
Principle: The glucose and fructose in honey are easily absorbed by the human body. It also contains various inorganic salts, organic acids, and trace elements similar in concentration to human blood serum. Its nature and flavor are sweet and neutral, and it acts on the spleen, lung, and large intestine meridians. It has the effects of nourishing, moistening dryness, and detoxifying, and is often used to treat dry coughs of the lung.
Dietary Usage: Should be taken with warm or cool water to clear heat. Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons into a glass of warm or cool water every morning on an empty stomach. It not only moistens the lungs but also detoxifies and beautifies the skin.
Chinese Yam Moisturizes the Lungs
Principle: Contains a mixed substance of polysaccharide and protein called "mucin," which has special health benefits for the human body, such as strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach, and tonifying the lung and benefiting the kidneys.
Dietary Usage: Chinese Yam and Coix Seed Congee. Combine 50 grams each of coix seed, which strengthens the spleen and expels dampness, and Chinese yam, which tonifies the lung and nourishes essence, to make a porridge to drink daily. This benefits both men and women by nourishing the lung, while balancing the cool nature of coix seed and the sticky nature of Chinese yam.
Lily Bulb Moisturizes the Lungs
Principle: These alkaloid components not only have good nutritional and tonic effects, but lily bulbs also have the effects of calming the mind, moistening the lungs to stop coughs, and tonifying the middle burner. They are very beneficial for people recovering from illness and are especially suitable for consumption during dry winters.
Dietary Usage: Be sure to use fresh lily bulbs, not dried ones, for the best lung-clearing effect.
Soy Milk Moisturizes the Lungs
Principle: Rich in plant protein and phospholipids, it also contains vitamins B1, B2, niacin, and minerals such as iron and calcium. Besides being easily absorbed, the methionine it contains can prevent smooth muscle spasms in bronchitis, thereby alleviating bronchitis and reducing the burden on the lungs.
Dietary Usage: Must be boiled at 100°C before drinking to prevent poisoning. Do not drink on an empty stomach, do not store in a thermos, do not drink excessively at once, and do not take it with medication.
White Radish Moisturizes the Lungs
Principle: There is a common saying, "White radish in winter is better than ginseng." The mustard oil, amylase, and crude fiber in white radish promote digestion, increase appetite, and relieve coughs and resolve phlegm. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, its nature is acrid, sweet, and cool, acting on the lung and stomach meridians. It can eliminate phlegm and stop coughs, and treat lung flaccidity with hemoptysis.
Dietary Method: Creamy Stewed Radish Soup: After adding water with scallions and ginger, lightly fried radish blocks and milk are stewed together. Season with salt after it becomes tender. It is both nourishing and lung-clearing. You can also make a spare rib and radish soup to drink regularly.
Grapefruit Moisturizes the Lungs
Principle: Its nature and flavor are sweet and cold. It is rich in vitamin C and components similar to insulin, which can strengthen the stomach, moisten the lungs, nourish the blood, clear the intestines, and promote bowel movements.
Dietary Usage: Eat directly or make into grapefruit tea. Grapefruit is cold in nature, so do not eat too much at once; 2 to 3 segments are enough. Grapefruit tea is made by slowly stewing the grapefruit peel, which is more beneficial for strengthening the spleen to aid digestion and dispelling cold to dry dampness, with the grapefruit flesh. After cooling, add rock sugar, store in the refrigerator, and take twice daily with warm or cool water.
Lotus Root Moisturizes the Lungs
Principle: Lotus root enters the lung, heart, and spleen meridians. Cooked lotus root is sweet, warm, and non-toxic in nature. Eating cooked lotus root can nourish the heart and blood, strengthen the stomach and open the spleen, and nourish and strengthen the body. Lotus root soup promotes urination, clears heat, and moistens the lungs.
Dietary Usage: Chestnut and Lotus Root Soup: Bring peeled small lotus root pieces and cleaned raw chestnuts to a boil in water, then simmer over medium heat for 40 minutes. Season and consume after it cools slightly. You can also make a soup with lean pork or pork bones, lotus root, and an appropriate amount of green beans.
Grapes Moisturize the Lungs
Principle: The fruit acid in grapes aids digestion, strengthens the spleen and stomach, and more beneficial elements nourish the liver and kidneys, moisten the lung essence, reduce fire, and regulate the intestines.
Dietary Usage: Best eaten raw. Since grape seeds and skins have better antioxidant effects, it is highly recommended to eat them "whole"—do not peel the grapes and chew the seeds before swallowing.