What Chinese Drink Is Good for a Cough? Traditional Remedies for Relief

December 22, 2025 •

4 min read

For centuries, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has utilized dietary therapy to treat common ailments, with a variety of warming and cooling drinks being considered an effective Chinese drink that is good for a cough. The best approach depends on whether you are experiencing a 'wind-cold' or 'wind-heat' type of cough, and these natural concoctions offer targeted benefits for relief.

Quick Summary

This article explores traditional Chinese beverages recommended for soothing coughs, detailing which remedies are best for different symptoms, including dry, phlegmy, or irritated throats.

Key Points

Steamed Pear with Fritillaria: This traditional remedy is excellent for heat-related coughs, clearing heat and moistening the lungs with its soothing combination of pear, Fritillaria bulb, and honey.
Monk Fruit Tea (Luo Han Guo): Naturally sweet and cooling, Monk Fruit tea is beneficial for dry coughs and sore throats, as it helps moisten the lungs and reduce phlegm.
Ginger Tea with Honey: Ideal for cold-type coughs accompanied by chills, ginger tea provides warming, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial benefits to help ease congestion and irritation.
Loquat Leaf Tea or Syrup: Both the tea and commercially available syrup are effective for various types of coughs, working to reduce cough and soothe the throat, and are particularly popular for children.
Licorice Root (Gan Cao): Often used in TCM formulas, licorice root acts as a soothing demulcent and can be brewed into a tea to calm irritated mucous membranes and relieve dry coughs.
Symptom-Specific Approach: In TCM, the best drink depends on whether the cough is caused by "wind-cold" or "wind-heat," emphasizing a personalized approach to healing rather than a universal remedy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine's Approach to Cough

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), coughs are not treated with a one-size-fits-all remedy. Instead, a practitioner would first diagnose whether the cough is caused by a "wind-cold" or "wind-heat" pathogen. This differentiation is crucial for selecting the correct herbal remedy. A wind-cold cough is often accompanied by chills, a runny nose with clear phlegm, and body aches, while a wind-heat cough typically presents with fever, sore throat, and thick, yellow phlegm. The following Chinese drinks are chosen based on their properties to either warm or cool the body and address the specific symptoms of the cough.

The Healing Power of Steamed Pear with Fritillaria

One of the most well-known Chinese folk remedies is steamed pear, often prepared with Fritillaria bulb powder (Chuan Bei Mu) and honey. This specific remedy is primarily for a heat-related cough, where the goal is to moisten the lungs and clear heat. The natural sweetness of the pear and honey soothes the throat, while the Fritillaria bulb is known for its ability to dissolve phlegm and moisten lung dryness.

How to Make Steamed Pear with Fritillaria and Honey

Ingredients:
- 1 Chinese snow pear
- 3-5 grams of Fritillaria bulb powder (Chuan Bei Mu)
- 2-3 teaspoons of rock sugar or honey
Instructions:
1. Peel the pear and slice off the top to create a cap.
2. Hollow out the core, being careful not to pierce the bottom.
3. Fill the hollow with Fritillaria powder and rock sugar or honey.
4. Replace the pear cap and place the pear in a bowl.
5. Steam for 50-60 minutes, or until the pear is soft and translucent.
6. Drink the juice and eat the steamed pear warm.

Soothing Monk Fruit (Luo Han Guo) Tea

Monk Fruit, or Luo Han Guo, is a naturally sweet fruit often used in TCM to treat a dry cough accompanied by heat. The fruit is prepared by boiling the whole, dried fruit in water to create a sweet, soothing tea. It is known to moisten the lungs and help relieve phlegm. Monk fruit tea is an excellent option for those with a sore throat or dry, irritating cough, as its cooling nature helps counteract the heat.

Warming Ginger and Honey Tea

For a wind-cold type of cough, a warm, spiced ginger tea is a popular and effective remedy. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and warming properties that help soothe an irritated throat and ease congestion. When combined with honey, which has antimicrobial effects, it can be a powerful combination to fight off cold symptoms.

How to Make Ginger and Honey Tea

To prepare, simply add sliced fresh ginger to boiling water and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat, strain, and stir in a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice for added vitamin C. This tea helps the body expel pathogens and provides a comforting warmth.

Loquat Leaf Tea and Syrup

Loquat leaf (Pi Pa Ye) is a common ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine, particularly for coughs and respiratory issues. It is known for its ability to reduce "qi" (vital energy) in the lungs and relieve cough, especially those caused by a dry, heated condition. Loquat leaf syrup (Pi Pa Gao) is a popular, commercially available remedy that combines loquat leaves with other herbs and honey to soothe the throat and calm irritating coughs. It has a pleasant taste, making it suitable for children.

Comparison of Chinese Drinks for Cough


Drink	Recommended For	Key Properties	How to Prepare
Steamed Pear with Fritillaria	Dry or phlegmy cough with heat symptoms (yellow phlegm, sore throat)	Moistens the lungs, clears heat, dissolves phlegm	Hollow and steam a pear with Fritillaria and honey
Monk Fruit (Luo Han Guo) Tea	Dry cough with heat symptoms, sore throat	Sweet, neutral; moisturizes lungs, reduces phlegm	Boil dried monk fruit in water
Ginger Tea with Honey	Cough associated with wind-cold symptoms (chills, clear phlegm)	Warming, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial	Simmer fresh ginger, add honey and lemon
Loquat Leaf Tea/Syrup	Dry, irritated, or phlegmy cough	Reduces lung qi, relieves cough, soothes throat	Brew leaves into a tea or use prepared syrup

A Note on Licorice Root

Licorice root (Gan Cao) is another powerful herb often used in TCM formulas for cough. It is known to soothe irritated mucous membranes in the respiratory tract and act as a demulcent, providing a protective coating. Because of its harmonizing properties, it is frequently added to other herbal teas to balance the formula and enhance effectiveness. Licorice root tea, often prepared by boiling the root, can be particularly helpful for dry, persistent coughs and irritated airways. For lung health, licorice root can be combined with ingredients like ginger. For more information on its broader medicinal applications, you can explore resources like the National Institutes of Health.

Conclusion

When seeking a good Chinese drink for a cough, the key is to match the remedy to the specific type of cough and its underlying cause, according to TCM principles. Whether it's the cooling, lung-moistening effect of steamed pear or monk fruit, or the warming, decongesting power of ginger tea, these traditional remedies offer effective, natural alternatives. For a stubborn cough, loquat leaf tea or syrup can provide additional relief. By understanding these options, you can choose the best Chinese drink to soothe your symptoms and aid your body's healing process.

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for a persistent or severe cough.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a dry cough, steamed pear with Fritillaria and honey is highly recommended. Monk Fruit tea is another excellent option, as both are cooling and work to moisten the lungs and soothe a dry, irritated throat.

For a cough with phlegm, the best drink depends on the phlegm's characteristics. Steamed pear with Fritillaria is effective for thick, yellow phlegm, while ginger tea is better for clear or white phlegm associated with a cold.

Many of these drinks, such as the sweet and soothing loquat syrup or monk fruit tea, are palatable for children. However, consult with a pediatrician before giving any new herbal remedy to a child, and note that honey should not be given to infants under one year of age.

For most of these remedies, you can drink them up to 2-3 times a day for relief. The soothing effects on the throat and airways can be felt relatively quickly, though consistent use over a few days is often needed to help clear symptoms.

Generally, these remedies are safe when used in moderation. However, some people may experience mild side effects, such as heartburn from too much ginger. It is important to consult a healthcare professional, especially if you have underlying medical conditions or are taking other medications.

Ingredients like dried Monk Fruit, Fritillaria bulb powder, and loquat leaf can be found at traditional Chinese herbal shops or Asian markets. You can also find them from online retailers specializing in traditional remedies.

While many herbal remedies can be used alongside conventional treatments, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider. Some herbs can interact with medications or may not be suitable for certain conditions, such as licorice root affecting blood pressure.