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Pear
Sweet, slightly sour, cold in nature. Excessive consumption causes coldness in the middle jiao (damage to spleen and stomach yang), and it is especially inadvisable for patients with metal wounds (trauma caused by sharp metal objects) and nursing mothers to consume it.
Tao Hongjing stated: There are many varieties of pear, all possessing cold and slippery properties. Laypeople consider them refreshing fruits, but they are not used in medicine; excessive consumption is harmful to humans. The annotation in *Bencao Tang Xin* states:
Applying peeled pear flesh to scalds or burns prevents ulceration, relieves pain, and facilitates healing. It also treats heat cough and quenches thirst. Pear leaves treat cholera-like disorders (acute gastrointestinal upset with vomiting and diarrhea), stopping persistent vomiting and dysentery when decocted and taken as juice.
Current annotations from other editions state: There are several types of pear. Xiao pear (a specific variety), sweet in taste and cold in nature, is non-toxic. It treats external pathogenic heat, aphasia due to wind-stroke, fever from cold damage (Shanghan), dissipates the heat from mineral drugs (stone drugs), calms fright and evil influences, treats cough, xiaoke (wasting-thirst syndrome), and promotes urination and defecation. Qing pear and Mao pear are not used. Sang pear is only suitable for consumption after being mixed with honey and cooled; it should not be eaten in large quantities. Minister Yuxi et al., following Meng Shen, noted: Pear clears external heat and relieves mental restlessness, but it is contraindicated for conditions involving retained cold; pepper should be removed before consumption. Another prescription: Remove the core, insert butter and honey, wrap in dough, roast until cooked, and eat. Another method: Simmer pear flesh in butter, cool, and eat. Another method: Extract one sheng of pear juice, mix with one liang of butter, one liang of honey, and one sheng of Rehmanniae Radix juice (Shengdi Huang Zhi). Decoct over low heat, hold in mouth slowly, and swallow. For treating cough, the preparation must be allowed to cool before ingestion; consuming it hot will cause injury and exacerbate the cough to a point of no return. In such cases, one may eat mutton soup noodles until full, then lie down for a while. For those with chest stuffiness and heat accumulation, eating good raw pears can relieve the obstruction. For sudden onset of aphonia due to wind-stroke, crush fresh pear to obtain one he of juice and take it in one dose.
*Tujing Bencao* states: Pears were not originally recorded regarding their place of origin, but are now found everywhere. The varieties differ significantly. Physicians traditionally use Ru pear and E pear. Ru pear originates from... its fragrance... there are many kinds... child... *Haishang*... one da liang, after digestion, hold slowly in mouth for immediate effect. It also treats sudden red eyes, eyelid growths, and pain during sitting or lying. Take one good pear, crush and extract juice, [mix with] three parts of Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian)... if medical treatment fails... Xing Dao-ren from Mount Qingcheng used this pear's juice, and the Emperor's illness was cured. Later, seeking this pear again proved difficult. Suddenly, one tree appeared in Changshan, so sealed fruits were presented. The Emperor consumed many, finding it highly effective for relieving irritability. Over time, the tree withered and ceased reproduction; thus, people today cannot use it. Additionally, Xinzhou in Jiangning Prefecture produces a small pear named Lu pear. Its leaves resemble tea leaves, and its roots are as thick as a little finger. Locals use its bark to treat sores, tinea, and scabies, claiming high efficacy. Harvested in August. Nearby areas also have them, but only the fruit is dried for food, not known for medicinal use.
*Shiliao Bencao* states: Contraindicated for metal wounds and postpartum women; strictly forbidden. *Shenghui Fang*: Treats pediatric heart wind-heat, causing dizziness, confusion, restlessness, and anorexia. Slice three pears, boil in two sheng of water to obtain one sheng of juice, strain, add one he of Jingmi (Oryza sativa var. glutinosa semen), cook into porridge, and eat. *Meishi Fang*: Treats cholera-like disorders, heart pain, and diarrhea. Add one sheng of water, decoct to one sheng, and take. It also states: Do not eat pears in the first and second lunar months. Chancellor Qian treated Quwu urine sores... change when dry. Another prescription: Pediatric cold hernia with abdominal pain and profuse sweating. Decoct pear leaf juice strongly to obtain seven he, take in one dose... adjust according to circumstances, can be divided into three or four doses. Another prescription: Treats water toxicity. Take a handful of pear leaves, cook and pound thoroughly, mix with one zhan of wine, and ingest. *Beimeng Suoyan*... diagnosed him saying: The wind disease has penetrated deeply, please return home quickly. A court official met Zhao E, a horse doctor from Binzhou, who examined him again, saying: There is only one method; please try eating Xiao pear, without limit on quantity. If chewing is insufficient, extract juice and drink. After returning home for ten days, consuming only Xiao pear led to complete recovery. Zhuangzi said: Just like zha, pear, orange, and pomelo, their flavors are opposite, yet all are palatable. Edict of Emperor Wen of Wei: Pears from Zhending Prefecture are sweet as honey, crisp as water chestnuts, and can relieve irritability and thirst.
*Yanyi* states: Pears, when consumed in excess, disturb the spleen; in small amounts, they are ineffective for disease. The intention of using pear requires careful consideration. It is excellent for those suffering from alcohol-induced irritability and thirst, but ultimately cannot cure diseases.