Fritillaria Bulb, Ophiopogon Root & Snow Pear Drink

Why people make this drink

Smoking takes a slow, cumulative toll on the lungs — and as the years pass, long-term smokers often find themselves dealing with a nagging cough, difficulty clearing phlegm, shortness of breath after exertion, and a dry, raw feeling in the throat. Chinese food therapy offers this three-ingredient combination as one of its most classic responses to this kind of lung dryness. Fritillaria bulb (chuan bei mu) is one of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine for moistening the lungs and dissolving stubborn phlegm — it is especially indicated for chronic cough with blood-streaked sputum. Ophiopogon root (mai dong) nourishes lung and stomach yin, clears heat, and relieves that irritating feeling of thirst and dry mouth. Snow pear moistens the lungs and naturally clears phlegm. Together, they make a soothing drink that is also quite pleasant to eat — the pear softens into the liquid and can be eaten as well.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Particularly suited to long-term smokers experiencing chronic cough, sticky or difficult-to-clear phlegm, dry throat, or mild breathlessness
• Suitable for those with a heat-type cough (yellow or thick phlegm, thirst, dry mouth) — NOT suitable for cold-type cough (clear, watery phlegm without thirst)
• Also suitable for dry autumn weather conditions, when throat and lung dryness is common
• Suitable for children with heat-type cough (reduce amounts: 3 qian fritillaria, 5 qian ophiopogon, 1 pear, cook in 5 bowls water to 2 bowls)
• Those with spleen qi deficiency (prone to bloating and loose stools): add poria (fu ling, 3 qian) and dried tangerine peel (1 piece) when simmering
• If coughing blood, or if symptoms suggest tuberculosis or emphysema, please see a doctor

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Fritillaria bulb (chuan bei mu, Fritillaria cirrhosa): One of the premier lung-moistening and phlegm-dissolving herbs in Chinese medicine; traditionally used for chronic cough, phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, and cough with blood-tinged sputum; moist and slightly cold in nature
• Ophiopogon root (mai dong, Ophiopogon japonicus): Nourishes yin of the lungs and stomach; clears heat; relieves thirst and dry mouth; traditionally used for yin-deficient dry cough, heart restlessness, and parched throat
• Snow pear (xue li): Classically used in Chinese food therapy to moisten the lungs and dissolve phlegm; the pear’s natural juiciness and mild sweetness make this drink pleasant; the skin is kept on as it is also considered beneficial

Ingredients (about 3 bowls / 2–3 servings)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Fritillaria bulb (chuan bei mu)	15 g (4 qian)	Rinsed
Ophiopogon root (mai dong)	19 g (5 qian)	Rinsed
Snow pear	2 medium	Washed, cored, cut into chunks; keep the skin on
Rock sugar or lean pork	To taste / optional	Add either for a sweet or savoury version

Method

1. Rinse the fritillaria bulb and ophiopogon root.
2. Wash the snow pears thoroughly. Leave the skin on; remove the core and cut into chunks.
3. Place all ingredients in a pot with 6 bowls (about 1.5 litres) of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour until reduced to approximately 3 bowls.
5. If making a sweet version, add rock sugar toward the end of cooking. If making a savoury version, add lean pork at the beginning.
6. Serve warm. Eat the pear pieces and any remaining ingredients along with the drink.

Bro Niu’s tips

This drink is delicious both sweet (with rock sugar) and savoury (with lean pork) — the choice is yours. It is also suitable for patients with emphysema or tuberculosis as a supportive food-therapy measure. If you have fritillaria in powder form rather than whole bulbs, add it only after the liquid is cooked — stir it into the finished drink just before serving. For children with a heat-type cough, use slightly smaller quantities (3 qian fritillaria, 5 qian ophiopogon, 1 pear, 5 bowls water simmered to 2 bowls) and divide between 2 servings over the course of a day.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (kerry123): For the past 3 weeks I have had a dry, tickly cough — mostly at night from around 7–8pm, sometimes after a shower. Occasional white phlegm but not much. The doctor said it seems like an allergic cough. What can I take? Bro Niu: The weather is dry right now and snow pears are in season — you can use 1 snow pear (cored and sliced), 2 qian snow fungus, 3 qian north almonds, and a little rock sugar, cooked in 4 bowls of water down to 2 bowls. This will help moisten the lungs and ease the cough.

• Q (anonymous): If using fritillaria powder instead of whole bulbs, how should I prepare it? Bro Niu: If you have fritillaria powder, cook the pear and ophiopogon first, then stir the powder into the finished drink just before drinking.

• Q (PAULMAN): Can someone with spleen deficiency drink this? Bro Niu: Those with spleen deficiency can use this recipe, but add 3 qian poria (fu ling) and 1 piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) when cooking.

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Published September 17, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.