Can pears help treat coughs and expel phlegm?

Ask:

I've heard people say that pears can help treat coughs and clear phlegm. So, can anyone use pears for this purpose, doctor?

Thanh Cong ( Hanoi )

Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, Specialist Level 2, University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, answers:

The cough-relieving and expectorant effects of pears have long been recognized. Eating pears helps to moisturize the lungs, reduce inflammation, generate bodily fluids, nourish the blood, treat hoarseness, promote bowel movements, treat boils, and relieve hangovers with considerable effectiveness.

According to scientific analysis, pears contain protein, lipids, cellulose, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotenoids, vitamins B1, B2, and C, glucose, acetic acid, etc.

Eating pears regularly is beneficial in treating high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases (leading to dizziness, irregular heartbeat, tinnitus), pulmonary tuberculosis, and acute bronchitis. The high content of vitamins and sugars in pears helps protect and nourish the liver and aids digestion.

Traditional remedies using pears:

- Dry cough due to lung heat: Take a few pears, remove the seeds, mash them, add rock sugar, and steam until the sugar dissolves. Eat the mixture; this remedy helps to clear heat and reduce cough.

- Coughing up phlegm mixed with blood: Take 1.5 kg of pears, remove the seeds, simmer until thickened, then add a moderate amount of honey and mix well. Take 2-3 teaspoons at a time, dissolve in boiling water, and drink. This medicine helps to moisten the lungs, generate body fluids, and dissolve phlegm.

- For belching: Take one pear and 15 cloves. Remove the pear seeds, put the cloves inside, wrap in 4-5 layers of wet paper, and simmer until tender. Eat.

- Bronchitis: Two pears, 10 grams of Fritillaria powder, 30 grams of rock sugar. Remove the pear seeds, put the Fritillaria powder and rock sugar inside the pears, steam and eat twice a day, in the early morning and evening.

- To expel phlegm and promote bowel movements: Mix pear juice, water chestnut juice, cogon grass root juice, barley seed juice, and lotus root juice, and drink cool or heated.

- To treat bad breath: Eat two pears before bed.

- For children with fever and loss of appetite: Wash 3 pears, slice them, add 3 liters of water, boil until only 1 liter remains, discard the pulp, add rice and cook porridge for the child to eat.

It should be noted that because pears are considered "cold" in nature, people with cold stomachs or diarrhea should avoid them; also, do not eat bruised pears to avoid intestinal problems.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/qua-le-co-tac-dung-tri-ho-tieu-dom-192240116011034819.htm