Autumn is a dry and cool season. Coughs, constipation, and a lack of appetite can easily occur, especially in children and the elderly. Eating an Asian pear a day can keep the doctor away by relieving dryness and soothing other symptoms. The following are some of the health benefits of Asian pears and some tasty recipes to use them in.
Benefits of Asian pears
Pears relieve dryness, help stop coughing, and strengthen your blood and muscles. They are effective in soothing a dry itchy throat, easing sore throat pain, and alleviating a hoarse voice.
Pears can lower blood pressure. They are great for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis of the liver.
Pears whet the appetite and aid in digestion. Their diuretic and laxative properties are good for clearing body heat and replenishing fluids and nutrients during times of fever.
Pears contain a good deal of dietary fiber and are a good housekeeper for the stomach and intestines. Eating a pear after a heavy meal is a good way to get the digestive organs moving to excrete toxins from the body to minimize constipation.
Pears are rich in vitamins that can protect the liver, making them good for those who frequently enjoy alcohol.
Pears can moisten the respiratory system; however, they are cool in nature. This means that for people with a weak and cool constitution, eating raw pears will intensify their condition. Steaming pears or incorporating them into a soup will lower the fruit’s cool nature. Ingredients can be added to augment the ability to suppress coughs and dissolve phlegm.
Recipes
Asian pears with rock sugar
Ingredients:
- 2 Asian pears
- 1.5 tbsp rock sugar, or to taste
- 1 tbsp dried goji berries
Cut off the top part of the pears. Use a teaspoon to remove the cores. Fill the holes with rock sugar and half of the goji berries. Place the tops back on the pears using toothpicks to keep them in place.
Stand the pears up in 2 small bowls. Put the remaining goji berries around the pears. Steam on medium heat for about 40 minutes.
Good for stopping coughs, dissolving phlegm, and moistening the vocal tract.
Asian pear and lily bud soup
Ingredients:
- 1 Asian pear
- 2 lily buds
- 3 1/3 cup water
- 10 goji berries
- 3 tbsp honey
Cut the pear into small pieces with the skin on. Rinse and peel the lily buds and throw away the root. Put the pear and lily buds into a pot. Add water. Cook on high heat until it boils and scoop off any foam from the top. Put a lid on leaving a small gap and cook on low heat for 20 minutes.
Add rinsed goji berries to the pot and cook for two more minutes. Switch off the heat, wait for two minutes, and add honey to serve.
Good for clearing heat, dissolving phlegm, and moistening the throat.
The writer of this story is not a medical professional, and the information that is in this story has been collected from reliable sources — every precaution has been taken to ensure its accuracy. The information provided is for general information purposes only, and should not be substituted for professional health care.
Translated by CC and edited by Helen, David Jirard
