September's tip is all about Lung health. As we start wrapping up summer and moving into fall, we also start moving into pear season. In Chinese medicine, the pear is used to moisten and nourish the Lungs. If the Lungs are dry, you can experience symptoms such as dry cough, chest tightness, dry skin or throat, night sweats or even insomnia. For those that have been exposed to the heavy smoke from all of the fires this summer, this tip is especially useful. Pears are cold and moist in nature. They help to regenerate body fluids to lubricate the lung, quench thirst, relieve cough and horse voice. Because of their cool nature, they help clear heat from the lungs as well. If you are a runner or an athlete, you can use pears as nutrition therapy to help improve respiratory performance while being active. Use the recipe below to incorporate the nourishing properties of pears into your regular nutrition.
Super Simple Pear Sauce
3 pears, sliced
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
dash of cardamom
water
Add all ingredients to saucepan, add enough water to cover pears, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer until pears have fully softened, remove from heat and let cool. Blend pears in their cooking juice until smooth for an awesome pear sauce that can be eaten as is or added to oatmeal or smoothies.