Dried Pear
Dried Pear
雪梨干 · Xuě Lí Gān
Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.
The beloved Snow Pear of Chinese medicine — Dried Pear moistens the Lung, generates precious fluids, clears heat, and soothes a dry, irritated throat with its pure, gentle sweetness.
Taste & Nature
Sweet & Slightly Cold
Part Used
Fruit
Channels Entered
Lung & Stomach
TCM Category
Lung-Moistening
Family
Rosaceae
What Is Dried Pear?
Dried Pear (Xue Li Gan, 雪梨干) — from the famous Chinese Snow Pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) — is one of the most beloved Lung-moistening food-medicines in Chinese tradition. Treasured for its pure, clean sweetness and remarkable moistening properties, Dried Pear holds a special place in Cantonese herbal soup culture as a quintessential ingredient for autumn and winter respiratory wellness.
Sweet and slightly cold in nature, Dried Pear enters the Lung and Stomach channels. Its primary actions are to moisten the Lung and generate body fluids — making it ideal for the dryness of autumn, when the Dryness pathogen readily invades the Lung to cause dry cough, ticklish throat, and thirst. Its gentle cold nature also clears Lung Heat, addressing cough with yellow phlegm, hoarse voice, and the hot, uncomfortable feeling of Lung Heat or Lung Dryness.
History & Origin
The pear (Li) is a beloved Lung-moistening fruit in Chinese food therapy, used for centuries to relieve dry cough, clear Heat, and generate fluids.
Tang to Song Dynasties
Valued for moistening the Lungs, clearing Heat, and quenching thirst; pear juice was a classic remedy for dry, hot cough.
Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 CE)
Li Shizhen's Bencao Gangmu recorded the pear for clearing Heat, transforming phlegm, and moistening dryness.
Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912)
Featured in Warm-Disease practice and food therapy; steamed pear with rock sugar became a household remedy for Lung dryness.
Modern Era
Rich in fibre, fluids, and antioxidants, supporting the throat, Lungs, and hydration.
Traditional Uses
Moistens the Lung & Stops Dry Cough
The primary action — nourishes and moistens Lung Yin, used for dry cough, ticklish throat, and respiratory dryness especially from autumn Dryness or Lung Yin deficiency.
Generates Body Fluids
Restores depleted body fluids, used for dry mouth, intense thirst, and parched throat from heat or Yin deficiency.
Clears Lung Heat
Its gentle cold nature clears Lung Heat — used for cough with yellow or scanty phlegm, hoarse voice, and the hot sensation of Lung Heat.
Soothes the Throat
Moistens and cools an inflamed, dry, or irritated throat — used for sore throat, hoarse voice, and throat dryness from heat or dryness.
Nourishes Stomach Yin
Supports Stomach Yin and fluid generation, used for Stomach Dryness with dry mouth, poor appetite, and mild nausea.
Relieves Constipation from Dryness
Its moistening nature lubricates the intestines — used for dry constipation from insufficient fluid and Large Intestine Dryness.
Health Benefits
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Lung MoisteningPure, gentle moistening of the Lung — ideal for autumn Dryness, dry cough, and ticklish throat.
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Fluid GenerationRestores precious body fluids depleted by heat, dryness, or Yin deficiency.
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Lung Heat ClearingGently clears Lung Heat — relieving cough with yellow phlegm, hoarse voice, and throat inflammation.
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Throat NourishmentSoothes and moistens a dry, sore, or irritated throat with its pure, cooling sweetness.
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Classic Soup IngredientThe iconic Cantonese autumn soup ingredient — beloved for its flavour and its gentle, effective Lung-moistening action.
Soups Featuring Dried Pear
Dried Pear is a key ingredient in these Food Art no-cook herbal soups, thoughtfully formulated to deliver its nourishing benefits in a convenient, ready-to-brew format.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herbal supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.
