Pears for Lung Health!
Pears for Lung Health!
Pears are a staple in Chinese Medicine for lung health. The Fall is associated with the Metal element and the Lung organ system. It is no wonder that seasonal fruits like pears are key to supporting one of our #1 immune organ systems in the Fall.
While Chinese Medicine has been talking about it for literally centuries ;) Western Medicine is finally coming to agreement in a variety of studies that show the benefits of pears on lung health. Researchers have found that the benefit comes from catechins, one of the largest group of plant compounds called flavonoids. Various flavonoids have been found to act as cell-protecting antioxidants, and guard agains lung disease.
With the smoky air this is a great time to increase your pear consumption. I know that my throat and lungs are feeling dry and sore from the air quality today. Check out this yummy sweet pear recipe for lung health.
Ingredients
2 large or 4 small pears, any variety (I particularly like Bosc pears in this recipe), peeled, cored, and each pear cut into 4 or 6 slices
1 cinnamon stick
2 thin slices of fresh ginger (each ginger piece the size of a quarter coin)
1 vanilla pod
raw local honey, to taste
a squeeze of fresh lemon, to taste
optional herbs: 10 goji berries, 5 pieces of chuan bei mu (fritillary bulb), 1 slice of dried astragalus
Bring pears, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and optional herbs to a boil in 4 cups of water (or a little more water if needed, use enough water to cover the pears). Reduce heat and simmer on medium low, covered, for about 30 minutes.
Serve dessert in individual bowls. Each serving should have slices of pear and the cooking liquid served warm or cool. (Before serving, discard the cinnamon, ginger and vanilla. The optional herbs can be separated out as well, but some people enjoy eating them, especially the goji berries- just be careful not to burn your tongue because the goji berries can get very hot!).)
Add honey to sweeten to taste. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon to taste.
Store the liquid, fruit and spices in a glass storage container in the refrigerator. Keeps for about 3 days.
