Disclaimer: All Chinese herbal teas, Chinese herbal soup, herbal decoctions, TCM dietary therapies, acupuncture, and Tui Na massage featured in this article serve solely as auxiliary wellness support. They fall under the category of dietary and traditional wellness practices rather than formal medical treatment, and cannot substitute for professional medical diagnosis, prescription medication, or clinical therapy. If you have received a diagnosis of colds, coughs, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, or any other physical ailment, you must adhere to treatment plans from licensed medical practitioners. Pregnant, breastfeeding, medication-taking or chronically unwell individuals are required to consult a qualified healthcare provider prior to use.
TCM Culture Disclaimer：Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) boasts a development history spanning thousands of years in China. Over 2,000 years ago, during the Warring States to Qin and Han dynasties, Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic) was compiled, establishing a comprehensive traditional theoretical framework for TCM. All TCM terminology, traditional wellness concepts for balancing bodily functions and historical health philosophies mentioned in this article are presented solely for the inheritance, popularization and cultural exchange of traditional Chinese medicine culture. This content shall not be regarded as clinical diagnosis or medical treatment guidance of any kind. Read more
Certain respiratory patterns are traditionally categorized in Chinese medicine as a type of respiratory discomfort, but for dietary supplement labeling, we focus on ingredients that may help maintain respiratory comfort and support normal lung function.
The following herbal teas are traditionally used to nourish and soothe the respiratory system. They are intended to support respiratory wellness and comfort.
1. Mustard Leaf and Ginger Shred Tea (*Brassica juncea* with *Zingiber officinale*)
Ingredients: 100g fresh Brassica juncea (mustard greens), 10g Zingiber officinale (fresh ginger), and an appropriate amount of brown sugar.
Preparation: Wash the Brassica juncea (mustard greens) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) separately, then cut into thin strips. Place both into a cup, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and drink as tea. One dose daily. May be taken for 3 consecutive days.
Traditional Use: Helps maintain respiratory comfort when exposed to cool, dry conditions. Traditionally used to promote the body’s natural response to wind-cold patterns, supporting clear breathing and soothing occasional throat discomfort.
2. Tangerine Peel and Ginger Tea (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium et Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens Tea)
Ingredients: Red Tangerine Peel (Citri Exocarpium Rubrum) 20g, Fresh Ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 10g, Honey (Mel) 50g.
Preparation: Wash the Exocarpium Citri Rubrum (red tangerine peel) and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (fresh ginger), then cut into strips. Place both in a cup, pour in boiling water, cover for 10–15 minutes. Stir in Mel (honey) and drink as a tea.
Traditional Use: Helps warm and soothe the respiratory tract. Traditionally used to support the body’s natural processes for respiratory wellness, promoting clear breathing and respiratory comfort during seasonal changes.
3. Luffa Flower Honey Drink
Ingredients: Fresh Luffa Flower (Luffa cylindrica) 15 g, Honey 30 g.
Preparation: Wash the luffa flowers clean, place them in a cup, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 10 minutes, then stir in honey. Drink as tea. Take 2 doses daily.
Traditional Use: Supports normal respiratory function and helps maintain respiratory moisture. Traditionally used to promote clear breathing and soothe occasional throat irritation.
4. Radish Tea (Raphanus sativus)
Ingredients: White radish (Raphanus sativus) 100 g, Tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) 5 g, Refined salt a pinch.
Method: ① Place the tea leaves in a cup, infuse with boiling water and steep for 10 minutes, then strain the liquid and set aside.
② Wash the white radish (Raphanus sativus), slice it, and place in a pot. Add water and boil until thoroughly cooked. Season with salt and stir in the tea juice. Take 2 doses daily, and drink warm as tea.
Traditional Use: Helps maintain normal respiratory function and supports the body’s natural processes for respiratory comfort. Traditionally used to promote digestive and respiratory wellness.
5. Apricot Kernel and Pear Tea with Sugar
Ingredients: 10 g Semen Armeniacae Amarum (bitter apricot seed), 1 large pear, 20 g rock sugar.
Remove the skin and tip of the bitter apricot seed (Semen Armeniacae Amarum), then crush it. Wash the pear (Fructus Pyrus bretschneideri), remove the skin and core, and cut into pieces. Crush the rock sugar. Set aside for later use.
In a clay pot, add an appropriate amount of water, then put in bitter apricot seed (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) and Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) chunks. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes. Stir in rock sugar until dissolved. Drink as tea. One dose daily.
Traditional Use: Helps maintain respiratory moisture and soothe the throat. Traditionally used to support normal lung function and promote comfortable breathing.
6. Polygonatum and Rock Sugar Tea
Ingredients: Polygonatum sibiricum (Solomon’s seal) 15g, rock sugar 30g.
Preparation: Place Polygonatum sibiricum (Solomon’s seal) and rock sugar in a cup, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 10–15 minutes. Stir and drink as tea. One dose daily.
Traditional Use: Helps nourish and support respiratory moisture. Traditionally used to promote throat comfort and maintain overall respiratory wellness.
TCM Terminology Disclaimer:All traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms, descriptions, and wellness expressions including but not limited to nourishing lungs, soothing throat discomfort, supporting respiratory comfort, clearing mild internal heat, balancing qi and blood, harmonizing bodily functions, and regulating general wellness featured on this website are traditional TCM cultural descriptions and historical wellness theories only. These phrases are used solely for traditional TCM knowledge sharing and cultural interpretation. They do not constitute medical efficacy claims, have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All TCM wording describes traditional auxiliary wellness conditioning effects only and should never be interpreted as clinical medical treatment results. Individuals with confirmed illnesses must seek professional medical diagnosis and follow standard Western medical treatment.
FDA Mandatory Disclaimer：These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Chinese herbal dietary supplements and traditional wellness practices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and serve only as daily auxiliary health support. If you have been diagnosed with any illness, please seek professional medical care and follow standard Western medical treatment regimens.
Great article! I’ve been dealing with a stubborn cough lately and never thought about herbal teas for relief
I’ve been dealing with a persistent cough lately and never thought of trying herbal teas! This list is super helpful—definitely going to give the loquat leaf tea a shot. Thanks for breaking down the TCM perspective too. Do you recommend drinking these daily during a flare-up?
Great tips! I’ve been dealing with a lingering cough and never thought to try herbal teas for bronchitis. Do you have a favorite among these? I’m especially curious about loquat leaf tea. Thanks for sharing!
Great article! I’ve been dealing with a stubborn cough this winter, and this breakdown of acute vs. chronic bronchitis is really helpful. I’m definitely going to try some of those herbal teas—ginger and pear sounds soothing. Thanks for sharing such practical tips!
معلومات مفيدة جداً! جربت شاي الزنجبيل مع العسل لعلاج السعال الحاد وكان ر