Snow Pear and Rock Sugar Drink
Ingredients
- Snow pear 1–2 (about 500g)
- Rock sugar to taste (about 20–50g)
- Water as needed
Principle
Pear is cool and sweet-sour, entering lung and stomach channels in TCM tradition—moistens dryness, generates fluids, clears heat and transforms phlegm. Rock sugar is neutral and sweet, moistens lung, eases cough, and balances flavor. Together they address dryness—dry throat, itchy throat, dry cough with little phlegm; warm syrup also soothes the throat and adds fluid.
Effects & uses
Everyday supportive relief for dry throat, dry cough with scant phlegm, and dry mouth from dryness; useful in autumn–winter dry seasons or late cold recovery when heat lingers and cough is mostly dry. Dietary support only, not medical treatment.
Method
- Rinse pears; core and cut into chunks (peel optional; skin adds more components).
- Place pear in a pot with water; bring to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer 15–20 minutes on low (many traditions cook until pear is very soft).
- Stir in rock sugar until dissolved; remove from heat.
How to use
- Sip while warm.
- May drink through the day like a tea; avoid overdoing amount.
- If no improvement after 2–3 days, or symptoms worsen, stop and seek care.
Caution
Not for wind-cold cough or copious clear phlegm; use with care if spleen–stomach cold (chills, loose stools); diabetics or poor glycemic control; excess stomach acid or reflux on empty stomach; allergy to pear or sugar. Food therapy only—not a drug substitute. Seek care for cough over two weeks, blood in sputum, high fever, or breathing difficulty.
Source
Compiled from Bencao Gangmu notes on pear (moisten lung, cool heart, reduce phlegm and fire), Singapore Chinese Medicine Institution pear monograph (identity, nature, channels, use), and public dietary sources on snow pear with rock sugar.