Can I eat Chinese chives if I have a sore throat?
Nov 28, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Sore throat, in the context of traditional Chinese medicine, is considered to result from excessive internal heat ("shang huo"). While chives can help nourish the kidneys, boost yang energy, and relieve poor appetite, they also have properties that enhance yang and generate heat. Consuming chives may therefore easily lead to lung heat. Thus, when experiencing a sore throat, chives should be avoided to prevent exacerbation of internal heat, which could worsen throat pain and negatively affect recovery.
Generally, people with a sore throat should avoid eating Chinese chives (garlic chives).
In traditional Chinese medicine, a sore throat is usually attributed to excessive internal heat ("fire"), and is often accompanied by symptoms such as dry nose, dry throat, dry cough, and yellow phlegm. Chinese chives are considered both a food and a medicinal herb, rich in nutrients including vitamins, protein, sulfides, calcium, iron, and zinc. Consuming them can help nourish the body, tonify kidney function, enhance yang energy, regulate liver qi, improve digestive function, and relieve poor appetite. However, because Chinese chives have properties that promote yang and generate heat, they may increase lung heat after consumption. Therefore, individuals experiencing a sore throat should avoid eating Chinese chives to prevent exacerbating internal heat, which could worsen throat pain and negatively affect recovery.
When a sore throat occurs, timely treatment is also necessary to prevent disruption of daily life. It's recommended to take traditional Chinese medicine under a doctor's guidance to alleviate symptoms. Commonly used medications include Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid and Compound Donglingcao Tablets.
