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Ophiopogon & lily for a dry, tickly, unproductive cough 麦冬百合润燥

Cough, Throat & Chest 咳嗽·咽喉·胸肺 traditional evidence
What the evidence says:
The 药典 indications — 麦冬 for dry cough, dry mouth/throat and thirst; 百合 for dry cough and restlessness — are classical, not trial-supported. The honey in the recipe is the ingredient with actual evidence.

How to make it

Simmer 10 g 麦冬 with 15 g dried 百合 in 600 ml water for 25 min. Cool until drinkable, then stir in a teaspoon of honey — added off the heat so it stays a coating rather than boiling away.

Why it works

A warm, sweet, demulcent drink; the soothing is real, the herbal part is heritage.

Classical source

麦冬 is 上品 in the Shennong Bencao Jing as 麥門冬 — 久服輕身、不老、不饑.

Cautions: Both are moistening and cool — avoid with a wet, phlegmy, cold-type cough or diarrhoea from deficiency. No honey under 12 months.

Herbs used

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