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.