What should I eat for dry nose and dry, painful throat?
Nov 27, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Yuhong
Introduction
When experiencing dryness, sore throat, or dry nasal passages, it's advisable to choose foods or drinks that hydrate and soothe the mucous membranes. Suitable options generally include warm water, pears, white fungus (tremella), and winter melon. Drinking small amounts of warm water frequently helps directly moisturize the nasal and throat mucosa, alleviating dryness. It also promotes metabolism and aids in flushing out irritants from the throat area, reducing discomfort from dryness and pain. The water should be warm or slightly cool, not hot.
When experiencing dry nose and sore, dry throat, it is advisable to choose foods or beverages that hydrate and soothe the mucous membranes. Suitable options generally include warm water, pears, honey water, tremella (silver ear fungus), and winter melon. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Warm water: Drinking small amounts of warm water frequently helps directly replenish moisture to the nasal and throat mucous membranes, relieving dryness. It also promotes metabolism and helps remove irritants from the throat, reducing discomfort from dryness and pain. The water should be warm or slightly cool, not hot.
2. Pears: Can be eaten raw or cooked into pear soup. Pears are rich in water and have a moistening nature, helping to nourish the lungs, generate body fluids, and relieve dry, sore throat. Their components also help moisturize the nasal mucosa, improving nasal dryness. They are suitable for daily consumption.
3. Honey water: Prepared by dissolving honey in warm water, this drink nourishes the throat and alleviates dryness and pain. The mild liquid can also moisten the nasal passages and reduce dry symptoms. Note that the water temperature should not be too high to avoid destroying beneficial compounds in the honey.
4. Tremella (Silver ear fungus): After soaking, cook into a tremella soup. With a soft, sticky texture and high water content, it nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, and replenishes fluids. Drinking tremella soup soothes the throat mucosa and relieves dryness and pain. Its gelatinous content also helps improve nasal dryness.
5. Winter melon: Can be prepared as soup or stir-fried. High in water and mild in nature, winter melon effectively rehydrates the body and relieves dryness. Its nutrients may also help reduce discomfort in the throat mucosa, making it suitable for consumption when experiencing dry nose and sore throat.
In daily life, avoid spicy, overly salty, or dry foods to minimize irritation to nasal and throat mucous membranes. If indoor air is dry, consider using a humidifier to increase air moisture. If symptoms persist for more than three days or are accompanied by fever or coughing, seek medical attention promptly.
