As parts of China continue to be engulfed¹ by choking smog, many are turning to traditional Chinese medicine to combat the pollution's effect on their health.

由于中国部分地区持续被令人窒息的雾霾所笼罩，一些人开始求助中医，以应对污染对健康带来的影响。

One practice that has gained popularity is drinking "anti-smog" tea, which some believe can "clean" their lungs.

其中一项开始流行起来的行动，就是喝“抗霾”茶，一些人相信这可以“清肺”。

But a leading Chinese medicine practitioner² has sought to dispel³ this myth, saying it is ineffective.

但一位著名的中医力图驱散这种不实之论，他表示，喝抗霾茶其实无效。

Anti-smog" teas have become more widely available in Chinese medicine shops, pharmacies⁴ and online sites as the smog in China has worsened over the last few years.

由于近几年来雾霾在中国许多的地区变得越来越恶劣，在中国的中药店、药房和网络上也都能更容易的买到“抗霾”茶。

There are different recipes, but they generally are made up of Chinese herbs such as dried flowers and roots.

这些抗霾茶配方不同，但其成分一般都是中草药，比如晒干的花和植物根茎。

The practice stems from the Chinese medicinal belief that drinking certain concoctions⁵ can boost one's health and rid the body of impurities⁶.

这种做法来源于中医理念，认为饮用某些混合饮品有助健康，排出体内杂质。

A 2015 report by Beijing Morning Post noted⁷ that several pharmacies in the capital were selling "lung-cleansing teas to combat smog".

2015年《北京晨报》的一则报道指出，北京的多家药房都在出售“清肺抗霾茶”。

On popular online marketplace Taobao, "anti-smog" teas can be bought for 20 yuan ($2.90) per packet and one listing claims that its combination of seven ingredients including dried chrysanthemums⁸ and honeysuckle can "boost lungs and moisten throats", and "combat the smog".

在受欢迎的在线购物平台淘宝网上，“抗霾茶”售价为每包20元（2.9美元）。而一份产品列表显示，该产品由七种成分构成，包括干菊花和金银花等，可以“清肺润喉，对抗雾霾”。

But in a recent report by state broadcaster CCTV, Liu Quanqing, president of the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said such teas were "unreliable".

但在近日央视的一则报道中，北京中医医院院长刘清泉表示，这种抗霾茶“不可靠”。

He noted, that the digestive and respiratory systems were separate, and that many teas contained ingredients which "may cause health problems if taken for a long time."

他指出，消化系统和呼吸系统各自独立，很多茶中含有的成分“如果长期摄入的话，会导致健康问题。”

What would help instead, Mr Liu added, was maintaining a healthy diet and boosting one's immune system.

刘院长补充说道，只有保持健康饮食，增强免疫力，这才可以抗霾。