October 6, 2025 | by ANNALIISA KAPP
As the crisp air of fall settles in, so does the season of the Lungs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This is a time to nourish Lung qi and strengthen your wei qi — your body’s first line of defense against colds, flus, and the dryness that autumn often brings.
This Swiss Chard, Pear & Daikon Salad with Honey Tahini Dressing, crunchy pecans, and functional mushrooms is more than just a beautiful bowl of greens. It’s a seasonal remedy — designed to moisten, protect, and energize the lungs while boosting your immune system naturally.
Why Your Lungs Will Love This Salad
Supports Immune Resilience (Wei Qi)
Functional mushrooms like shiitake, maitake, lion’s mane, and reishi are powerhouses for immune health. They help fortify your body’s defensive qi, keeping energy circulating freely through the chest while making you more resistant to seasonal bugs.
Moistens Lung Yin and Soothes Dryness
Pears, honey, and tahini (sesame) are yin-nourishing ingredients that replenish fluids, ease dryness, and protect the respiratory tract — perfect for countering coughs, scratchy throats, and dry autumn skin.
Clears Phlegm and Eases Breathing
Daikon radish helps move Lung qi downward, clearing mucus and opening the chest for smoother breathing. Meanwhile, shiitake mushrooms help transform dampness, preventing the heaviness that can linger in the lungs.
Strengthens Lung Qi through Digestion
Lion’s Mane mushroom plays a dual role, it supports digestion (a vital partner to the lungs in TCM) and nourishes yin, making it ideal for anyone prone to chronic cough, weak digestion, or recurrent colds.
Grounds and Protects Energy
Pecans and sesame seeds provide healthy fats and minerals that stabilize energy, tonify essence, and bring balance to lighter, dispersing foods, keeping you grounded as the weather cools.
INGREDIENTS
Salad
- 2 cups Swiss Chard, very thinly sliced
- 1 Ripe Pear, sliced
- ½ cup Daikon Radish, cut into matchsticks
- 3 Tbsp Pecans, chopped
Honey Tahini Dressing (makes 2 servings)
- Juice of 1 Lime
- ¼ cup Tahini
- 3 Tbsp Hot Water
- 1 Tbsp Raw Honey
- ¼ tsp Dried Ginger Root
- ½ tsp 4 Mushroom Blend by Eversio Wellness
- ¼ tsp Sea Salt
DIRECTIONS
Prep the Produce: Wash and dry all produce. Thinly slice the Swiss chard, cut the pear into slices, and julienne the daikon radish into matchsticks. Roughly chop the pecans and set everything aside.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, tahini, hot water, raw honey, dried ginger root, 4 Mushroom Blend, and sea salt. Stir until smooth and creamy, adding a splash more hot water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced Swiss chard, pear, daikon, and chopped pecans.
Dress & Toss: Pour the honey tahini dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Serve & Enjoy: Transfer to a serving bowl or plate and enjoy immediately as a nourishing fall salad that supports lung health and immunity.
Seasonal Note
In TCM, fall is about letting go, refining, and breathing deeply — both physically and emotionally. This salad supports that seasonal rhythm with ingredients that are moistening, grounding, and immune-protective. Pair it with a cup of warm ginger tea for the ultimate lung-loving meal.
