Getting rid of that nagging cough

Luo han guo and ginger tea

My son skipped a few days off school last week. He started off with a fever and then he started to cough and cough and cough and cough.....   He refused to admit that he was poorly ("But I really want to go into school, mummy!")  and even tried to prevent himself from hacking away or would run into his room when he needed to clear his throat. The doctor said he'd have to take the antibiotics and cough mixture to bring down the fever.  So, 5 days later, the fever is down but he's still got that phlegmy cough, and I don't want him to be on incessantly cough mixture.  

So I have been making him Luo Han Guo (罗汉果) Chinese herbal tea with ginger everyday. You can buy the luo han guo at any Chinese provision shop or medicinal hall. All you need is half of one ball. Give it a quick rinse but don't clean the seeds as that's where all the goodness is.  Cut a slice of fresh ginger (with skin), about half an inch thick and smash it like Martin Yan on Yan Can Cook - if you can't then just use the back of a heavy knife and whack the ginger a few times. Throw both ingredients into 2 litres of water and simmer for about an hour.  All the goodness will come out. Cool and serve warm!  If you don't have a cough, this is good for soothing the throat - good for teachers!!

And if you're recovering from flu, the mint and ginger tea would do good!