The 7 Must-Have Lung Nourishing Foods | Fall & Winter Immunity Booster

• Honey

In TCM, honey is known as Feng-Mi and has the ability to nourish yin energy. Based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, “honey has sweet and neutral properties, and “is associated with the Lung, Large Intestine, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. Its main functions are to tonify the spleen and stomach, to restore qi, and to prevent dryness.” Honey is also one of the most common ingredients of herbal pills, capsules, and formulas, and is often added to herbal preparations to make them taste better and be easier to consume. Honey is also the Chinese people’s favorite as a “neutral” food with medicinal properties.

• Tremella

In TCM, Tremella Mushroom is believed to help reduce inflammation, support lung function (particularly for conditions such as asthma and dry cough) and maintain clear, healthy skin.  

Tremella mushroom has high concentrations of vitamin D (essential for bone health), antioxidants, and minerals such as potassium. Tremella is incredibly rich in dietary fiber, which is beneficial to the digestive system by maintaining healthy bowel health. Studies also show that dietary fiber also plays a role in helping to control blood sugar levels.

Studies published in 2018 showed Tremella fuciformis was able to inhibit the development and spread of inflammation and could therefore be a potential treatment for inflammation-related diseases including heart disease, obesity, and tumors.

• Winter Melon 

In TCM, Winter Melon is a treasure! Winter melon is native to some parts of Asia and belongs to the gourd family together with zucchini, cucumber, and melon.

Winter melon has various health benefits and has been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It’s low in calories, rich in fiber, antioxidants, may boost your vision, Improve cognitive function, boost the immune system, and prevent flu and cold.

• Pear 

Pears are considered a major healing food for the Autumn season in Chinese Medicine.

Pears have the quality of clearing heat, moistening, and clearing phlegm from the Lungs. Pear Soup is considered helpful to strengthen the lungs, prevent colds and coughs, and speed up the healing of colds and coughs. *Combined with honey, this recipe is soothing for sore throats and dry throats.

The moistening effect in Pear is especially good for people with a tendency of dryness such as those with a dry sore throat, dry cough, or dry skin. 

• Pomegranate

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pomegranate peel is a plant that belongs to the ‘Herbs that stabilize and bind’ category. This category of herbs is used for treating abnormal discharges and displacement of Organs. This includes conditions such as diarrhea, discharges from the vagina, penis, or rectum as well as prolapse of the uterus or rectum. Pomegranate peels are plants that are Warm in nature. This means that pomegranate peel tends to help people who have too much ‘Cold’ in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. The balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Depending on your condition pomegranate peel can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.

• Loquat

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), loquat leaves are plants that belong to the ‘Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing’ category.

Loquats are delicious fruits that offer a variety of health benefits.

They’re low in calories but boast plenty of vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory plant compounds.

Plus, some research suggests that they may safeguard against certain conditions, such as heart disease and cancer, as well as reduce blood sugar, triglyceride, and insulin levels.

• Lemon

According to traditional Chinese medicine, lemon’s effect on the body is cooling; it harmonizes the stomach and aids in digestion, and replenishes fluids. Just as it cuts grease on counters, it cleanses the liver, kidneys, blood, mouth, and urinary tract while making the body more alkaline in pH.

Lemon’s high vitamin C content has been renowned since the days of the famed New World explorers for its use in preventing scurvy. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants, effective in preventing and treating inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, staving off cholesterol build-up, and all-around support of the immune system.

Lemons also contain an extremely long-acting limonoid, a phytonutrient that has been proven by a series of studies to be effective in fighting cancers of the mouth, skin, breast, lung, colon, and stomach.