The dry autumn weather can easily lead to lung heat and infections, resulting in a lung-heat cough. Here are five foods recommended for autumn that help moisten the lungs, relieve coughs, clear heat, and detoxify.
Autumn Diet: Top 5 Foods for Moistening the Lungs and Relieving Coughs
1. White Radish
Food Introduction: A root vegetable belonging to the radish genus of the Brassicaceae family. It can be eaten raw or cooked and has a slightly spicy flavor. It contains glucose, sucrose, fructose, vitamin C, and glucoraphenin.
Moistening Principle: There is a common saying, "Radish in winter is better than ginseng." The mustard oil, amylase, and crude fiber in white radish promote digestion, enhance appetite, and help relieve coughs and reduce phlegm. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it has a pungent, sweet, and cool nature, targeting the lung and stomach meridians. It can resolve phlegm, stop coughs, and treat conditions like lung flaccidity and hemoptysis.
Moistening Index: ★★★☆
Food Therapy Method:
Milk Soup Stewed Radish:
After adding water with scallions and ginger, add slightly fried radish pieces and milk and simmer together. Season with salt once tender. This is both nourishing and good for the lungs. You can also spare-rib and radish soup regularly.
2. Pomelo
Food Introduction: The mature fruit of the pomelo plant from the Rutaceae family. It contains sugars, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin P, carotene, potassium, phosphorus, and citric acid.
Moistening Principle: With a sweet and cold nature, it is rich in vitamin C and components similar to insulin. It can strengthen the stomach, moisten the lungs, nourish the blood, clear the intestines, and promote bowel movements.
Moistening Index: ★★★☆
Food Therapy Usage:
Can be eaten directly or made into pomelo tea. Pomelo is cold, so do not overconsume it directly; 2-3 segments are enough. Pomelo tea is made by slowly simmering pomelo peel (which is more beneficial for strengthening the spleen, aiding digestion, dispelling cold, and drying dampness) with pomelo flesh. After cooling, add rock sugar and store in the refrigerator. Take twice a day with warm water.
In addition, kumquats have a sweet, sour, and neutral nature. They are non-toxic and target the lung and stomach meridians. They are sweet and moistening for the lungs, whet the appetite, and relieve thirst and promote the production of body fluids. Oranges have similar benefits, but the small kumquats sold at fruit stands are the most beneficial and should be included in your daily fruit list.
3. Lotus Root
Food Introduction: The enlarged underground stem of the lotus plant, it is slightly sweet and crisp and can be eaten raw or cooked. Its roots, leaves, flowers, stamens, and fruits can all be used for nourishment and medicine.
Moistening Principle: Lotus root enters the lung, heart, and spleen meridians. Cooked lotus root has a sweet, warm, and non-toxic nature. Eating cooked lotus root can nourish the heart and blood, strengthen the stomach and spleen, and provide nourishment and strength. Lotus root soup promotes urination, clears heat, and moistens the lungs.
Moistening Index: ★★★
Food Therapy Usage:
Chestnut and Lotus Root Soup:
Boil peeled small lotus root pieces and cleaned raw chestnuts in water, then simmer over medium heat for forty minutes. Season and consume after it has slightly cooled. You can also make soup with lean pork or pork bones, lotus root, and an appropriate amount of mung beans.
4. Grapes
Food Introduction: A deciduous vine and one of the oldest plants in the world. It has colorful fruit, is juicy and delicious, and is nutritious. The fruit sugar content is 10%-30% and it contains various trace elements.
Moistening Principle: The fruit acids in grapes aid digestion, strengthen the spleen and stomach. More beneficial elements nourish the liver and kidneys, moisten the lung essence, reduce internal heat, and benefit the intestines.
Moistening Index: ★★★
Food Therapy Usage: Best eaten raw. Since grape seeds and skins have better antioxidant effects, it is highly recommended to eat them "whole," meaning don't spit out the skin and chew the seeds.
5. Almonds
Food Introduction: As the saying goes, "Radish, almond, dried ginger, and pear, a cure for cough without needing a doctor." Autumn is a time when dryness can deplete body fluids, leading to a dry mouth, sore throat, and pain. It is the right time to eat moistening and lung-nourishing foods like pig's lung, dried persimmons, loquats, and water chestnuts. Among nuts, almonds are the most moistening.
Moistening Principle: Almonds can moisten the lungs, clear indigestion, and dispel stagnation. They are also rich in protein, trace elements, and vitamins, and have effects of moistening the lungs, stopping coughs, and lubricating the bowels. They can help relieve symptoms like a dry cough with no phlegm and a chronic cough due to lung deficiency.
Moistening Index: ★★★
Food Therapy Usage:
Red Radish, Almond, and Dried Cabbage Soup
Effects: Moistens the lungs and beautifies the skin; contains dietary fiber; suitable for weight loss.
Ingredients: 20g of North and South almonds, 20g of dried cabbage, 200g of red radish, 6 red dates.
Method: Soak and cut the dried cabbage, peel and chop the red radish, and wash the almonds. Bring water to a boil, add all ingredients and simmer for 2 hours. Add a little rock sugar to finish. This soup is also good for reducing internal heat and clearing phlegm.
In addition, TCM theory states that "the lung governs the skin and hair." If the lungs are affected, facial or skin problems will become more complex. Acne, inflammation, and spots may even be more prominent than in the summer. Therefore, these five excellent lung-moistening foods are especially suitable for beauty-conscious women.