Steamed Asian Pear for Fall Dryness + Dry Coughs
As we move further into fall, I start thinking a lot about dryness.
In Chinese medicine, autumn is associated with the Lung system, and this is the time of year when I tend to see more dry throats, lingering coughs, dry skin, sinus irritation, and that annoying little cough that seems to hang around after everything else has cleared.
One of my favorite simple food remedies for this time of year is steamed Asian pear.
Asian pears are traditionally used as a moistening food and are especially nice when a cough feels dry, scratchy, or irritating, with little to no mucus.
Steamed Asian Pear
You'll need:
1 Asian pear
1–2 teaspoons honey
Small handful of goji berries
A few thin slices of fresh ginger, optional
A sprinkle of cinnamon, optional
Cut the top off the pear and scoop out the core, leaving the bottom intact. Add your chosen toppings to the center, replace the top, and place the pear in a heat-safe bowl.
Steam the pear in a steamer basket over a pot with a few inches of water for about 30–60 minutes, depending on the size of the pear. It’s ready when the pear is very soft and juicy.
What does everything do?
Asian pear: The star of the recipe. In Chinese dietary therapy, pear is used to moisten the Lungs and soothe dryness, making it particularly appropriate for a dry throat or dry, irritating cough.
Honey: Moistening and soothing for a dry, irritated throat and cough. It also adds a little sweetness without needing much.
Goji berries: Traditionally used to nourish Yin and fluids. They're a nice addition when the cough feels dry or you feel a little depleted after being sick.
Fresh ginger: Warming and more appropriate when there's a chilly feeling, clear mucus, or the cough seems connected to a cold presentation. If your throat feels very hot, red, or irritated, I would leave this one out.
Cinnamon: Warming and comforting, so I think of this more when someone feels cold or wants a little extra warmth. You don't necessarily need it for a classic dry, irritated cough.
You also don't need to use all of these at once. The basic pear + honey + goji combination is lovely for dryness, while ginger and cinnamon make more sense when a little warmth is appropriate.
Dry cough or wet cough?
This distinction matters.
If your cough is dry, tickly, scratchy, or producing very little phlegm, we generally want to soothe and moisten. That's where steamed pear really shines.
If your cough is wet, rattly, or very productive, with a lot of mucus or congestion sitting in the chest, I approach it differently. We may need to focus more on helping the body transform and clear phlegm rather than simply adding more moistening foods.
And sometimes coughs just linger. You may feel completely better from the original cold, but that last little cough hangs around and you just can't seem to kick it.
That's often when a little more support can be helpful. With Chinese medicine, we look at what's actually lingering. Is there still phlegm? Is everything dry and irritated? Is the cough worse at night? Do you still feel depleted? Chinese herbs can then be tailored to what your cough is actually doing rather than treating every cough the same way.
So enjoy your steamed pear when you're feeling dry this fall. And if you've mostly recovered but just can't seem to kick that lingering cough, come see me. Sometimes your body needs a little extra support getting through that last stretch!
