What is the best thing to steep in water for pharyngitis with phlegm?

When pharyngitis is accompanied by phlegm, ingredients that moisten the lungs, resolve phlegm, and soothe the throat can be chosen for infusion. Commonly suitable options include Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii), aged tangerine peel (Chen Pi), Sterculia lychnophora (Pang Da Hai), honeysuckle flower (Jin Yin Hua), and Fritillaria bulb (Chuan Bei Mu). Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Luo Han Guo infusion: Break open the fruit and steep it in boiling water; drink once the temperature is comfortable. Luo Han Guo is cool in nature and helps clear heat, moisten the lungs, soothe the throat, and resolve phlegm. It effectively relieves dryness, itching, excessive sticky phlegm, and discomfort caused by pharyngitis. With its naturally sweet taste, it is suitable for daily consumption.

2. Chen Pi (aged tangerine peel) infusion: Rinse the peel with warm water, then steep it in boiling water. It can be re-steeped until the flavor becomes weak. Chen Pi regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, dries dampness, and resolves phlegm. It is especially suitable for cases of pharyngitis with abundant white, sticky phlegm, helping to dissolve mucus and reduce the sensation of a foreign body in the throat.

3. Pang Da Hai (Sterculia lychnophora) infusion: Steep the seed in boiling water and let it sit for a while before drinking. Pang Da Hai clears heat, benefits the throat, moistens the lungs, and improves voice. It helps relieve sore throat, hoarseness, and difficulty coughing up phlegm caused by pharyngitis. Dosage can be adjusted according to the severity of throat discomfort.

4. Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower) infusion: Steep the flowers in boiling water and drink. A small amount of licorice can be added to improve taste. Jin Yin Hua is slightly cold in nature and functions to clear heat, detoxify, and dispel wind-heat. It is ideal for pharyngitis with red, swollen throat and yellow, thick phlegm, helping to reduce inflammation and thin mucus.

5. Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria bulb) infusion: Process the bulb and mix it evenly with warm water before drinking, or steep the whole bulb directly in warm water. Chuan Bei Mu clears heat, moistens the lungs, resolves phlegm, and stops coughing. It is best suited for dry cough with little but sticky phlegm due to pharyngitis. Care should be taken regarding preparation and usage methods.

When consuming these infusions, the water temperature should be warm or cool—avoid excessively hot liquids that may irritate the throat. If symptoms of pharyngitis with phlegm persist for more than one week, or if blood appears in the sputum, fever, or other serious symptoms develop, medical attention should be sought promptly.