"What's a natural cough remedy I can make easily for my whole family?"
If you're parenting multiples or multiple kids, this question becomes critical when colds spread through your household.
When my two toddlers start coughing—those dry, painful-sounding coughs that keep us all up at night—I need a natural remedy that’s gentle, effective, and easy to make. As a parent, I worry about persistent coughs affecting their sleep and health, but I also want to avoid harsh medications unless absolutely necessary.
This sea coconut and white fungus dessert has become my go-to solution.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this dessert nourishes yin and moistens lung dryness, making it especially effective for heat-type coughs (dry, barking coughs with yellow phlegm). This adaptable medicinal dessert offers four preparation methods to fit the chaotic schedule of families where both parents are working, while providing real relief for coughs and phlegm.
Key Ingredients and Why They Work:
White Fungus (雪耳)
Also known as Snow Fungus, this delicate ingredient acts as a natural expectorant to thin mucus, making it easier to clear phlegm during coughs. Its gelatinous texture coats and soothes irritated throats, while its high collagen content supports skin repair—especially beneficial for postpartum mothers. After purchasing, soak dried white fungus in cold water for 1-2 hours until fully softened. Trim away any hard yellow stems, then tear into smaller pieces (they’ll expand during cooking). For babies, blend soaked fungus into a smooth paste before adding to the broth.
Sea Coconut (海底椰)
Known for its cooling properties, fresh sea coconut helps reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract. It replenishes electrolytes lost during illness and its slippery texture eases swallowing for sore throats. Preparation: Rinse fresh sea coconut pieces thoroughly under running water to remove any residual packaging liquids. If using pre-cut pieces (commonly sold in 7-8 piece packs at local supermarkets), no further cutting is needed. For stronger medicinal effects, lightly smash thicker pieces with the back of a knife before cooking.
Winter Melon Stick (冬瓜条)
These dried strips provide a slow-releasing natural sweetness, eliminating the need for added sugar. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, they’re prized for reducing phlegm accumulation. Preparation: Briefly rinse under water to remove surface dust. No soaking is required, but cut into smaller 2-3cm segments if you want faster sweetness release. For toddlers, tie pieces in a muslin cloth during cooking for easy removal before serving.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
1 small piece dried white fungus (雪耳, ~15g)
4 cups (1 liter) water
4-5 pieces fresh sea coconut (海底椰)
8-10 dried red dates (红枣), halved and deseeded
10-12 dried longan (龙眼干)
1 small strip winter melon stick (冬瓜条, ~15g)
Optional: Dried Chinese Honey Dates (蜜枣) or ½ Luo Han Guo (罗汉果) for extra sweetness
Preparation:
White fungus: Soak in cold water for 1-2 hours until fully expanded. Trim away hard yellow base and tear into bite-sized pieces.
Sea coconut: Rinse fresh pieces thoroughly. Lightly smash thicker pieces with a knife back to release flavor.
Red dates/jujube: Rinse and deseed as needed, or simply buy deseeded ones.
Cooking (Stovetop):
In a pot, combine water, sea coconut, red dates, longan, and winter melon stick.
Simmer uncovered for 1 hour on low heat.
Add white fungus and cook 20-25 minutes more (avoid overcooking to prevent sourness).
Discard winter melon stick before serving.
Serving Adjustments:
For kids (1-3 yrs): Strain broth or blend solids into a smooth puree. Reduce portion of longan and/or dates for less sweetness if desired.
For cough relief: Serve warm with extra broth.
For additional sweetness: Add 1 tsp honey per bowl, only if serving to children and adults older than 1 year old.
Alternative Cooking Methods and Tips:
Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot: High pressure 25 mins + natural release. Add fungus after cooking for 15 minutes on “Keep Warm”.
Slow Cooker: Low 4 hours + fungus last 30 mins. Reduce liquid slightly as there will be less evaporation.
Thermomix: Place all ingredients except fungus into cooking bowl and bring to boil at 100°C. Simmer at 45 mins/98°C/Speed 2. Add fungus 20 mins/90°C/Speed 1.
Storage: Keeps refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 1 month. Cook extra portions to freeze for those chaotic days when the kids are sick and you're stretched thin.
Adapt the serving style to your family's needs! Serve it warm before naps to relieve coughs, slightly chilled during hot weather for hydration, or stirred into plain congee when little ones need gentle nourishment while ill.
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May this recipe bring your family the same comfort it's brought mine—soothing little throats and giving worried parents some peace. Wishing you all restful nights and healthier days ahead!
