What kind of soup is good to drink for a cold or cough?

Generally, when experiencing a cold with coughing, it is advisable to consume soups such as rock sugar and pear soup, radish soup, monk fruit soup, fritillaria and pear soup, or aged tangerine peel duck soup. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Rock Sugar and Pear Soup

Pears are known for their lung-moistening, heat-clearing, cough-relieving, and phlegm-reducing properties, while rock sugar helps strengthen the body, benefits the stomach, and moistens the lungs. This soup can help alleviate coughing and phlegm caused by upper respiratory tract infections. To prepare, peel and cut the pear into pieces, place it in a pot with an appropriate amount of rock sugar, add water, and simmer slowly until the pears are tender and the sugar has dissolved into a thick, syrupy broth.

2. Radish Soup

White radish has effects of clearing heat, promoting body fluid production, cooling the blood, stopping bleeding, and aiding digestion. Radish soup is light and refreshing, and can effectively help reduce phlegm and relieve coughing caused by a cold. After blanching the pork ribs, place them in a pot along with radish pieces, ginger slices, and scallion sections, add water, and simmer until the ribs are fully cooked and the radish becomes tender, then serve.

3. Monk Fruit Soup

Monk fruit has functions of clearing internal heat, moistening the lungs, soothing the throat, improving voice, relieving cough, and reducing phlegm. It also contains compounds like mogrosides, which have anti-inflammatory and cough-relieving effects. Drinking monk fruit soup moderately can help alleviate respiratory inflammation symptoms caused by colds, such as coughing and sore throat. Place monk fruit, lean pork, corn, and carrots in a pot, add water, and simmer until the ingredients are fully cooked.

4. Fritillaria and Pear Soup

Fritillaria bulb has the effect of moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm. When stewed together with pears, it can soothe coughs, moisten the lungs, and resolve phlegm. Grind the fritillaria into powder, peel and cut the pear into pieces, bring water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and add the fritillaria powder and an appropriate amount of rock sugar for flavoring. This soup has a smooth texture and is suitable for dry coughs caused by lung dryness, especially when there is little or no phlegm and it is difficult to expel. Place the pear pieces, fritillaria, and rock sugar in a pot, add water, and stew until the pears are soft and the broth is sweet and clear, then serve.

5. Aged Tangerine Peel Duck Soup

Aged tangerine peel duck soup is suitable for individuals who feel weak, experience coughing, or feel fatigued after a cold. Tangerine peel helps regulate qi, strengthen the spleen, remove dampness, and resolve phlegm. When stewed together with duck meat, it enhances immunity and alleviates symptoms such as loss of appetite and abdominal distension caused by a cold. Place duck meat, pork brisket, and tangerine peel into a large bowl, add cold boiled water and appropriate amounts of alcohol, salt, and oil, mix well, cover, and steam in a pot for 2 hours, then serve.

It is also recommended to maintain adequate water intake, which helps thin mucus secretions and relieve coughing. Drinking sufficient water can accelerate metabolism, promote the elimination of toxins from the body, and aid in recovery.