What should pears be stewed with to relieve cough and moisten the lungs?
Pears are commonly used in various combinations for nourishing the lungs and relieving coughs. Common pear-based炖品 (stewed dishes) include pears stewed with Sichuan Fritillary (Chuan Bei), pears stewed with white fungus (Tremella), pears stewed with lily bulbs, pears stewed with rock sugar, and pears stewed with lotus seeds. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Pears Stewed with Sichuan Fritillary: Sichuan Fritillary has a slightly cold nature and functions to clear heat, moisten the lungs, resolve phlegm, and relieve coughs. When combined with pears, it enhances the lung-moistening effect. It is suitable for relieving dry coughs caused by lung heat, especially when phlegm is minimal and sticky, helping to thin mucus and reduce respiratory irritation.
2. Pears Stewed with White Fungus: White fungus is rich in mucilage and has nourishing and moistening effects, including nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, and promoting body fluids. When stewed with pears, the texture becomes soft and smooth. It helps moisturize respiratory mucous membranes, alleviates coughs caused by dryness, and provides hydration and nutrition to the body.
3. Pears Stewed with Lily Bulbs: Lily bulbs have a slightly cold nature and can nourish yin, moisten the lungs, calm the mind, and relieve irritability. Combined with pears, they address both lung dryness and emotional discomfort. This combination is suitable for prolonged coughs with little phlegm due to lung dryness or yin deficiency and can also help relieve irritability and insomnia associated with coughing.
4. Pears Stewed with Rock Sugar: Rock sugar is neutral in nature and can strengthen the middle jiao (digestive system), harmonize the stomach, and moisten the lungs. When combined with pears, it balances the cooling nature of pears and enhances the sweetness of the dish. Suitable for all populations, it effectively relieves dry coughs caused by autumn and winter dryness and offers gentle, non-irritating nourishment to the digestive tract.
5. Pears Stewed with Lotus Seeds: Lotus seeds can strengthen the spleen, stop diarrhea, benefit the kidneys, and consolidate essence. When combined with pears, they provide both lung-moistening and spleen-strengthening benefits. This combination is suitable for coughs caused by lung dryness accompanied by spleen and stomach weakness or poor appetite, helping to regulate lung function while also improving digestive health.
When preparing pear-based炖品 (stewed dishes), attention should be paid to the quantity of ingredients used to avoid excessive consumption of cold-natured ingredients. If cough symptoms persist or worsen, timely medical consultation is advised, and one should not solely rely on dietary therapy to delay proper treatment.