Seasonal allergic cough
Coughing is a common symptom, especially during seasonal changes. Many people experience coughs caused by sensitive airways. In autumn, not only does the temperature difference between day and night widen, but the humidity is also relatively low, making it easy for "autumn dryness" to occur. This can lead to allergies or dryness symptoms due to the cooler weather and the influence of dryness-related pathogens.
Four years ago, I experienced a severe allergic cough due to the changing season combined with major renovations by my neighbors, where dust and paint thinner fumes triggered it. The prolonged coughing even led to a slight pleural effusion. Since then, my airways have become sensitive, and I have to be extra careful when entering and leaving air-conditioned places, making sure to keep my neck warm.
Autumn is a good time to nourish the lungs. If lung qi is obstructed, it can easily lead to coughing and wheezing as winter approaches. Most allergic coughs involve continuous coughing, often with a wheezing sound, and are particularly severe at night, often with no phlegm or only clear phlegm.
When experiencing an allergic cough, you can try using two smoked plums (Wumei), two grams of licorice, and a piece of dried tangerine peel. Rinse them, then steep them in hot water for 15 minutes, and drink while hot. Take this twice a day, in the morning and evening, for three consecutive days to help alleviate the symptoms of an allergic cough.
Smoked plum (Wumei) is neutral in nature and sour in taste. It has the effects of promoting fluid production and quenching thirst, astringing the lungs to stop coughing, and anti-allergic properties. It can also improve appetite and aid digestion. It is suitable for chronic cough with little phlegm or dry cough without phlegm due to lung deficiency. Licorice is neutral in nature and sweet in taste. It can clear heat and detoxify, replenish qi and tonify the middle, expel phlegm and stop coughing, and harmonize the properties of other herbs. Dried tangerine peel is warm in nature and bitter in taste. It can regulate qi and strengthen the spleen, helping to promote and smooth qi flow.
Constant allergic coughing is really annoying and easily attracts a lot of attention. You might want to try cutting some thin slices of fresh ginger and carrying them in a small box. When needed, hold a slice in your mouth to help reduce throat itching and allergic coughing.