Symptoms include a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, itching, burning, dryness, and mild pain. Secretions may vary in amount but are often sticky and cling to the throat wall. This stimulation can cause a irritating cough, and vigorous clearing of secretions in the morning may even lead to dry heaving. If the inflammation spreads downward to the larynx, it can also cause hoarseness and difficulty speaking.

Folk Remedy

Take 10 grams of mulberry leaves, 10 grams of chrysanthemum, 10 grams of almonds, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. After crushing the almonds, place them together with the mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum, and rock sugar in a thermal flask. Pour boiling water over them, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes. Then, drink it as tea, adding more hot water as you drink. Use one dose per day.

Efficacy

Mulberry leaf is a plant whose medicinal value was recorded in the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing." It has a bitter taste and cold nature, belonging to the lung meridian. It can disperse wind-heat, clear and moisten the lungs. It is often used for wind-heat colds, coughs due to lung heat, dry throat, and sore throat. It is frequently combined with chrysanthemum and honeysuckle to treat throat diseases caused by lung heat.

Contraindications

People with a yang-deficient constitution should use it with caution, as it can easily damage vital energy and lead to increased weakness. Especially for those with spleen-stomach cold deficiency, drinking too much of this cold-natured tea can easily cause stomach discomfort and lead to acid reflux. It is evident that using this tea to reduce heat and fire also depends on the individual's constitution; one formula does not fit all.