Recently, the haze weather has been lingering. Due to a large number of extremely fine dust particles, smoke particles, salt particles, etc., floating evenly in the air, it poses great harm to people's physical and mental health. Recently, there has been continuous haze weather across the country. The heavy fog not only reduces air visibility and affects traffic safety, but also triggers various diseases. Studies have shown that haze can cause upper respiratory tract infections, bronchial asthma, and other diseases, and in severe cases can even lead to lung cancer.

"Ambushed by haze everywhere," "In the haze," "Haze cover," "Haze oblivion"... Many new words describing the heavy foggy weather have gradually appeared in people's lives!

Earthquakes can be escaped, melamine can be avoided, but the earth still rotates, life must go on, and the air still needs to be breathed! And in this environment that is "like fog, like rain, and like haze," how should we take care of ourselves?

First, have a cup of clear tea to moisten your lungs!

According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Tea has a bitter taste and a cold nature... it enters the lungs. When drunk warm, the fire is settled by the cold energy; when drunk hot, the fire energy rises and disperses. It has the effect of clearing the throat and moistening the lungs!" Drinking more tea can prevent eye itching caused by inhaling polluted air in foggy weather and has a good lung-moistening effect! It is especially effective when drunk in the afternoon. Because the morning fog is the heaviest and generally dissipates around noon, people inhale more dust and impurities in the morning, so drinking tea in the afternoon can help clear the lungs in a timely manner.

During hazy weather, you can drink the following kinds of lung-cleansing teas.

Olive Tea

Take 30 grams of fresh green olives (large, thick-fleshed, and dark green), 15 grams of Lophatherum gracile, and 10 grams of brown sugar. Add 500 ml of water, boil for 3 minutes, and serve. Sip slowly. Take one dose daily, divided into four servings. This tea is especially effective for those with dry throat, thirst, and itching, as it clears the throat, promotes fluid production, and quenches thirst.

Sea Breeze and Rehmannia Tea

5 pieces of Boat-fruited Sterculia seeds, 12 grams of Rehmannia glutinosa, 30 grams of rock sugar, and an appropriate amount of tea. Place all ingredients in a thermos, brew with boiling water for about 15 minutes, and drink frequently as tea. Depending on the patient's intake, take 2–3 doses daily. This tea clears the lungs, soothes the throat, nourishes yin, and generates fluids. It is suitable for those with lung yin deficiency, such as hoarseness, throat dryness or itching after speaking, or dry cough. It is most suitable for those with chronic laryngitis due to lung yin deficiency and excess fire accompanied by constipation.

Double Root and Sterculia Tea

15 grams of Isatis root, 10 grams of Sophora tonkinensis root, 10 grams of licorice, and 5 grams of Boat-fruited Sterculia seeds. Place all ingredients in a thermos, brew with boiling water for 20 minutes, and drink as tea. Alternatively, decoct in water and then pour into a thermos to drink slowly. Take one dose daily. This tea has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and soothing the throat. It is suitable for those with obvious sore throat due to pharyngitis.

Fructus Momordicae Tea

1 Fructus Momordica. Chop the Fructus Momordica, brew with boiling water for 10 minutes, and drink at any time. Take 1–2 times daily, one fruit each time. This tea clears the lungs, resolves phlegm, quenches thirst, and soothes the throat. It is mainly used for dry and uncomfortable throat, loss of voice, or dry cough due to lung yin deficiency and phlegm-heat intermingling.

Olive, Sterculia, and Honey Tea

3 grams of olives, 3 pieces of Boat-fruited Sterculia seeds, 3 grams of green tea, and 1 teaspoon of honey. First, boil the olives in water for a while, then brew the Sterculia seeds and green tea. Cover and let steep for a while, then add honey and mix well. Sip slowly. Take 1–2 doses daily. This tea clears heat, detoxifies, soothes the throat, and moistens it. It is mainly used for dry and uncomfortable throat or hoarseness due to yin deficiency and dry heat.