Winter Sweet and Spicy Soup - monk's fruit for cough

Stave off winter cold and cough with this traditional natural formula therapy which I have tried successfully, much to my amazement and satisfaction.

The main ingredient is "monk's fruit" also known as luo han guo in Mandarin.

(According to TCM documents, Monk's fruit is a remedy for cough, supposedly neutral, effective for soothing both cooling and heaty cough) 

Other ingredients : 

4 Honey dates - flat and square shape (preferable to red dates but the latter is fine if the first is unavailable)
6 dried Longan fruit (heaty)
Cinnamon (heaty) 

The combination balances the hot and cool properties. While heat elements are necessary to soothe winter cough. 

Bring water to the boil. Add honey dates, luo han guo first. The final product looks slightly tan in colour. Do not overcook, i.e., boil for more than 30 minutes. 

A similar soup can be improvised for summer cough. Besides monk fruit, the essential ingredient, add more rinsed watercress (vegetable) and winter melon candy. Go easy on the winter melon sugared sticks as they can be very sweet.

For holistic treatment of summer sore throat, heat rash and cough, refer to this pear soup.

http://homecooksecrets.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/cool-sweet-compote-of-snow-fungus.html

Note : natural remedies are for mild colds and coughs.

If the illness is caused by bacteria, it is vital that you seek professional medical advice and prescription for anti-biotics.