The haze in Malaysia is getting worse, find out how Traditional Chinese Medication can help fight off the effects of the haze here
Malaysian air is no longer healthy, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) creeping up to the “very unhealthy” levels and “hazardous” levels in Muar and Ledang districts. It is likely that the haze will be hanging around for the next couple of days.
At the current rate the haze situation is escalating, these nasty pollutants are seeping into our body and irritating our skin. Therefore, it is important that we keep our bodies safe and prevent further health risks with the help of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
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Health risks involved
1. Eye inflammation (or Conjunctivitis).
2. Nasal irritation; you may experience sneezing, excess mucous production such as a runny nose and difficulty breathing.
3. Throat irritation; you may experience dry or sore throat and coughing.
4. Lung tissue inflammation; you may experience asthmatic problems and difficulty breathing.
On top of that, people who are suffering from chronic illnesses such as heart disease, lung disease, sinusitis and skin allergy, just to name a few, may be worsened by the haze pollutants.
Fight the haze with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Mypaper that Malaysians should take Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to boost their health. These herbal brews, soups and teas may help to alleviate some of your breathing discomfort in times of Malaysia’s poor air quality. After all, prevention is better than cure!
TCM is widely known for its qualities for strengthening health – therefore making these medicinal brews and cooling teas highly recommended by TCM physicians to prepare Malaysians for the next few days of haze.
Ms Tjoe Yan Yin told Mypaper, “The haze is very drying for the lungs; there are certain soups and drinks that can help to moisturize and nourish them.”
Physician’s recommendation
Mypaper suggests the following brews to fight the haze:
For overall heatiness:
1. Green bean soup – Helps to clear the respiratory system, and remove heatiness.
2. Chrysanthemum – The ingredient can be boiled in water to make tea, which clears heatiness.
3. Liquorice root – This ingredient can be boiled together with honeysuckle flower so as to reduce heatiness.
4. Watermelon juice – This drink reduces heatiness from the body.
Watch this video to find out how to brew Chrysanthemum tea:
For lungs, clearing respiratory system:
1. Chinese pear with lean pork and almond soup – This soup nourishes the lungs.
2. White fungus – Boil this ingredient with almond and gingko nuts. This dessert dish nourishes the lungs.
3. Raw-liquorice – Make a tea for lung infections by boiling the ingredient in warm water.
4. Green bean soup – Helps to clear the respiratory system, and remove heatiness.
5. Snakegourd fruit – This ingredient dissolves phlegm, and can be eaten alone, or boiled as soup.
6. Lily bulbs with snow fungus– Make the drink by first boiling the snow fungus for two hours, and then adding lily bulbs and rock sugar. This drink clears heatiness and nourishes the lungs.
For cough and throat inflammation:
1. Raw liquorice – Boil the ingredient in water. The drink alleviates cough, soothes throat and reduces inflammation.
However, if you are suffering from chronic illnesses, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before taking these herbal remedies.
Additional tips to fight the haze
1. Stay indoors! Try to switch on the air-conditioning and close all doors and windows.
2. However, if you have to go outside, wear a mask.
3. Drink lots of water. The haze makes the air very dry.
4. If you wear contact lenses, remove them if your eyes start to become irritated or inflamed.
5. Take green food supplements such as chlorella to reduce harmful effects of toxins.
6. Use an air purifier to cleanse the air at home or in the office.
7. Parents, make sure that you keep your children at home. Make sure that your kids do not run or jump around too much because the more they heave when they are breathless, the more pollutants get into their lungs!
8. Lastly, if you are feeling extreme discomfort from the haze, do not hesitate to consult your doctor immediately.
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Are you experiencing health issues from the Malaysian haze? Share your experiences in the comment section below.