Food therapy is a key aspect of Chinese Medicine. Food is often taken for its healing properties and in concert with the seasons. So, from time-to-time, I will be highlighting certain items as "Food for Medicine." The first item I'd like to start with is the pear. Pears are a superfood, of sorts, and are used to remedy coughs and colds.
Fall is right around the corner and now is the time to think about how we can support our immune system. Consuming pears is a wonderful way to boost our immune system since pears are high in Vitamin C and they support the Lungs. In Chinese Medicine, each season corresponds to an organ, and the lungs correspond to the Fall. Additionally, the Lungs are considered a major organ for "communicating" with our environment. Even from a Western standpoint, the lungs exchange gases and are one of the body's main interfaces with the external environment (in Western medicine, our skin is is the body's first defense from environmental influences; while in Chinese medicine, the skin and its ability to function properly is governed by the lungs). The Fall is generally considered a drying time of the year, and the time of the year in which we need to support and moisten (enhance the Yin or fluid aspect of) the lungs and respiratory tract. Interestingly, if you place two pears alongside each other, they resemble a pair of lungs. How fortunate for us, pears are usually abundant in the fall!
Pears are a fruit high in soluble fiber, water content, and Vitamin C. They are cooling and help moisten the respiratory tract as well as treat constipation. They reduce cough and cold symptoms by moistening and cooling the throat as well as expelling phlegm. The soluble fiber in pears removes toxins from the intestines and ease constipation. Many varieties of pears are now available in Western grocery stores, such as the Bosc, Anjou, and Bartlett, and if you shop at an Asian grocers or a specialty store, you may also find the Asian pear. I recommend the Asian pear for the recipe below since they are usually larger and very high in water content. However, you may use any pear variety available.
Ingredients:
2 pears
1 tsp nutmeg (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1.5 cups of water
1 tbsp of honey
Note: If you have excessive thirst, a dry throat or feel very warm, do not add the spices.
Directions:
Slice the two pears into quarters and remove the seeds and stem. Place the pear portions in a pot. Add water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Next, add the nutmeg and cinnamon. Cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes. You may serve the cooked pears in water if you prefer or drain the water. For added sweetness and enhanced moistening affect, you can drizzle honey over the pears.
Fall is right around the corner and now is the time to think about how we can support our immune system. Consuming pears is a wonderful way to boost our immune system since pears are high in Vitamin C and they support the Lungs. In Chinese Medicine, each season corresponds to an organ, and the lungs correspond to the Fall. Additionally, the Lungs are considered a major organ for "communicating" with our environment. Even from a Western standpoint, the lungs exchange gases and are one of the body's main interfaces with the external environment (in Western medicine, our skin is is the body's first defense from environmental influences; while in Chinese medicine, the skin and its ability to function properly is governed by the lungs). The Fall is generally considered a drying time of the year, and the time of the year in which we need to support and moisten (enhance the Yin or fluid aspect of) the lungs and respiratory tract. Interestingly, if you place two pears alongside each other, they resemble a pair of lungs. How fortunate for us, pears are usually abundant in the fall!
Pears are a fruit high in soluble fiber, water content, and Vitamin C. They are cooling and help moisten the respiratory tract as well as treat constipation. They reduce cough and cold symptoms by moistening and cooling the throat as well as expelling phlegm. The soluble fiber in pears removes toxins from the intestines and ease constipation. Many varieties of pears are now available in Western grocery stores, such as the Bosc, Anjou, and Bartlett, and if you shop at an Asian grocers or a specialty store, you may also find the Asian pear. I recommend the Asian pear for the recipe below since they are usually larger and very high in water content. However, you may use any pear variety available.
Ingredients:
2 pears
1 tsp nutmeg (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1.5 cups of water
1 tbsp of honey
Note: If you have excessive thirst, a dry throat or feel very warm, do not add the spices.
Directions:
Slice the two pears into quarters and remove the seeds and stem. Place the pear portions in a pot. Add water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Next, add the nutmeg and cinnamon. Cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes. You may serve the cooked pears in water if you prefer or drain the water. For added sweetness and enhanced moistening affect, you can drizzle honey over the pears.
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